When visiting Sayram Lake, be sure to set aside 3 hours for Pine Tree Head

If you decide to visit Sayram Lake, you must allocate 3 hours for Pine Tree Head. This is the highest point of the lake, offering a drone-like aerial view of the entire lake, a chance to take photos with the Guozigou Bridge, and even the same photo spot as actor Li Xian. Enter from the east gate and drive clockwise for about 20km to reach the mountain base. The entire trail features wooden boardwalks, making it accessible even for those with zero hiking experience—you can even climb to the summit in a dress. There are three fantastic photo spots with breathtaking views. 📸 Photo Spots ▪️ Mid-Mountain Meadow After about an hour of climbing, you’ll reach this flat, open meadow—perfect for lying down to sunbathe and relax. You can overlook the blue Sayram Lake and distant mountain ranges. In May and June, scattered yellow wildflowers add color, and you can frame the pine forest, the lake, and snow-capped mountains together in your shots. ▪️ Summit Boardwalk After the meadow, there’s a steep wooden boardwalk section that offers a unique top-down perspective of the path, meadow, Sayram Lake, and surrounding mountains. ▪️ Mountain Summit Once at the top, head left and climb over the fence for an unobstructed view. Bring a telephoto lens to capture stunning shots with the Guozigou Bridge. On your way down, you might even spot some squirrels! Don’t forget to try the delicious and affordable lamb skewers at the mountain base.