Why Warm Spring County in Xinjiang is the Better Choice Over Sailimu Lake

Why You Should Visit Xinjiang's Warm Springs County Instead of Sailimu Lake

My Real Itinerary

I initially planned for a self-driving trip around Sailimu Lake, but honestly, the real gem turned out to be Warm Springs County in the Bortala Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture. Here’s the takeaway: next time I come, I’ll just stay in Warm Springs County and only visit Sailimu Lake for half a day at most. It all boils down to this: the scenery is just as breathtaking as Sailimu Lake, but it’s way cheaper, plus it’s less crowded, cooler, and you can soak in hot springs anytime.

First, Let’s Talk Tickets

Entry to Sailimu Lake is 70 yuan, and the car ticket is 75 yuan. If you stay one night in Warm Springs County and get an accommodation invoice over 180 yuan, you can exchange it the next day for a free ticket, which basically saves one person's entry fee. Note—this only applies to the entry ticket; you still have to pay for the car ticket. Make sure to get the invoice from the front desk when you check in—don’t wait, so you won't have to queue again at the attraction.

Temperature & Accommodation

At the end of July, it was blazing 30℃ by Sailimu Lake, while the city center of Warm Springs County stayed around 22℃ all day. I stayed in a hot springs hotel right in the city center for 260 yuan a night, which had hot water 24/7 and a private indoor soaking room; I didn’t even need to turn on the AC. Before checking out the next day, I soaked once more—my hair didn’t even dry before the wind did its job.

Hot Springs Foot Soaking Spots

The Lianhua Hot Springs in the city are the most convenient and open 24 hours for free. It’s right next to the wetlands, with a row of stone pools heated to 38℃, and the snow-capped mountains in the background make for great photos. I didn't even need to use the disposable foot soaking bags I brought—there are staff on-site keeping the water clear and clean. I recommend going in the evening when the sunset shines through the mountain gaps; you can capture stunning shots of the peaks turning pink. After a day of exploring, slipping off my shoes for a quick soak totally revived my feet, and it was just a 20-minute drive back to the hotel for a good night's sleep.

Where to Eat

I only trust one place: Nuanyangyang Restaurant. The owner is a local Kazakh guy, and the menu doesn’t have English, but he’ll show you pictures.

• Tandoori Meat 130 yuan/kg; you can order half a kilo if there are fewer people. The meat is roasted in a hanging oven, crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.
• Stir-fried Potato Slices with Beef 38 yuan per serving; the potatoes are little ones from the plateau, soft and slightly sweet.
• Yogurt Zongzi 12 yuan each; this is a must-try for cutting the greasiness.
  If the dishes take a while to come out, enjoy some self-brewed milk tea, which they refill for free. We had dinner here for two nights without any disappointments.

Etoke Sier Tianspring

Head north about 60 km from the county seat via the X210 county road, and after passing the Etoke Sier River checkpoint, you enter a border control area. Whether or not you can go in depends on the mood of the guard that day—we lucked out and got a squad leader who just checked our ID and did a quick registration. If you hit a bad day, you might have to take a detour. Park your car next to the river valley, walk forward for ten minutes, and you’ll reach Tianspring: the snow-capped mountains drop straight into the lake, with no electrical poles in sight; the blue water of Matchi Lake is clearer because there are hardly any tourists. Stroll along the stream for a bit, and you can find flat spots to set up a tent—cattle and sheep got there before you did. At night, the Milky Way shines so brightly it’s blinding.

The road from the county seat to Tianspring is lined with river valley grasslands, and the scenery is quite similar to the Ili River Valley. When you see nomads' yurts, slow down; they sell freshly squeezed mare's milk for 5 yuan a bowl, which is so sour it makes you cringe but quenches your thirst.

A Quick Guide: Just Follow This

Sample Itinerary (3 Days 2 Nights)

Packing List (Just the Essentials)

• Disposable Compressed Towel: No towels sold at Lianhua Hot Springs
• Sunscreen: SPF50++: The county has intense UV rays, don’t skimp on hats and sunglasses
• Camping: -5℃ down sleeping bag: Nighttime valley temperatures can drop to 5℃
• Border Pass: Just ID: No border pass is required at Tianspring, soldiers register on-site
• Cash: Around 500 yuan: Most local nomads and roadside stalls only accept cash

And that’s it. If you’re also looking to enjoy a couple of slow days in the mountains, head to Warm Springs County first; don’t squeeze into the crowds at Sailimu Lake.