First, the 80 yuan entrance fee is worth it! If you're not in a rush, it's best to plan at least two days.
Second, Turtle Mountain, which I visited on August 7th, was absolutely stunning.
Third, of the many lakes, Moon Lake stood out as incredibly beautiful, while the others were becoming increasingly sparsely visited.
Fourth, the scenic area is incredibly large, with breathtaking scenery along the way. I often stopped to admire the maple forests at dusk.