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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
| Item | Key Info | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ticket Savings | Stay in Warm Springs County and get ≥180 yuan invoice for a free ticket the next day | Only covers entry ticket, still pay 75 for car ticket |
| Accommodation | City hotels range from 200-300 yuan and have hot spring pools | Walk to Lianhua Hot Springs easily |
| Free Hot Springs | Lianhua Hot Springs 24h open for foot soaking and photos | Evening light by the wetlands is the best |
| Restaurant | Nuanyangyang Restaurant | Tandoori meat and potato slices are must-orders; expect slower service if busy |
| Tianspring Secret Spot | 60 km from county seat; register after passing the checkpoint on X210 road | Border policies change, go early |
| Camping | Tianspring river valley is good for camping but no toilets or water sources | Bring your own water + campsite lights, cattle and sheep are abundant |
| Day | Itinerary | Accommodation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive in Warm Springs County in the afternoon → Check in → Soak in Lianhua Hot Springs → Dinner at Nuanyangyang | Warm Springs County |
| 2 | Spend half a day at Sailimu Lake in the morning → Return to Warm Springs County in the afternoon → Continue foot soaking | Warm Springs County |
| 3 | Depart for Tianspring at 6 AM → Picnic and take photos in the valley → Return to the county seat in the afternoon → Head back home | - |
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.
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