Swan Lake
Swan Lake is a place everyone dreams of visiting. In Bayin Township on Bayanbulak Grassland lies a marshy lake system covering more than 1,000 square kilometres in total,…
Swan Lake, Bayingolin
Key facts
- Admission
- The county government operates a toll booth on a bridge, charging ¥48 per person; this bridge toll is the grassland entrance fee. Foreign visitors must join a tour group. The birdwatching platform charges ¥50.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Guidebook rating
- 4 / 5
From China Self Guided Travel 2025, page 875. Open in Google Maps
About Swan Lake
Swan Lake is a place everyone dreams of visiting. In Bayin Township on Bayanbulak Grassland lies a marshy lake system covering more than 1,000 square kilometres in total, scattered across the grassland like pearls. Every April, countless migratory birds fly to this peaceful land to nest, court, and raise their young. In October, when the weather turns cold, they fly away with their offspring. Swans are regarded as the masters of this lake, so please do not disturb them, or the herders, who see swans as sacred birds, will not let you off. The best place to watch swans is the “Baxilekendele” Birdwatching Platform in the eastern part of the nature reserve. It is built on a small hill with road access. Around June each year, swans lay and hatch their eggs, which makes it the best time for observation.
Tips from the guidebook
- 1. Low temperatures: The grassland is quite cold. The average temperature in July is only around 10°C, and it drops even lower at night, so bring warm clothing and essential rain gear. Some swans have now taken a liking to this place and stay even in winter, so the swan-watching season has been extended. However, heavy winter snow may block the roads, so call ahead before you go.
- 2. Kaidu River: If you have looked at a map of Xinjiang, you may have noticed a winding river called the Kaidu River. Its curves may be among the most beautiful in the world. The lookout hill at Tower Mountain, about 30 km west of the county government, is the best place to admire the river.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Swan Lake cost?
Admission to Swan Lake is The county government operates a toll booth on a bridge, charging ¥48 per person; this bridge toll is the grassland entrance fee. Foreign visitors must join a tour group. The birdwatching platform charges ¥50., as listed in the 2025 guidebook. Prices can change; check the official channel before you go.
How long should I spend at Swan Lake?
Plan on 1–2 hours for Swan Lake.
Where is Swan Lake?
Swan Lake is in Bayingolin, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, in the Northwest of China.
More places in Bayingolin
Bayanbulak Grassland
It is China's second-largest grassland after the Ordos Grassland in Inner Mongolia, covering 22,000 square kilometres at the junction of Bayingolin, Aksu, and Ili. “Bayanbulak” means “rich spring” in Mongolian. Every year on the 4th day of the 6th lunar month, a two-day Mongolian Nadam festival begins on this fertile grassland. If you have enough time and money, hire an off-road vehicle and venture deep into the grassland, where little-known beauty lies at the very heart of it. Beyond the grass, the blue sky, and the distant mountains, there is only your own breath.
¥65; shuttle bus ¥75 · 0.5–1 day
Altun Mountains National Nature Reserve
It is China's largest high-altitude nature reserve, home to many endangered alpine wildlife species, including wild yaks, Tibetan antelopes, and Tibetan wild asses. Large numbers of birds also gather on its high-altitude lakes, rivalling the numbers at Qinghai Lake.
2–3 days
Luoburen Village Scenic Area
Luoburen Village borders the Taklamakan Desert, China's largest desert. The Tarim River, the longest inland river in China, flows through the scenic area, and it contains the largest protected area of primeval populus euphratica forest. It is a distinctive scenic spot that combines natural and cultural landscapes. The Lop people are one of Xinjiang's oldest ethnic groups, and their folk customs, folk songs, and stories have unique artistic value. Visitors can wade across rivers, walk through forests, ride camels, and watch the sand sea. They can also go hunting, sandboarding, and fishing by boat, listen to Lop folk songs, watch Lop dances around a bonfire, and sleep in reed huts, experiencing the ancient Lop culture and the joy of returning to nature.
¥35; sightseeing bus ¥15 · 2–3 hours
Loulan Ancient City
At the ruins of the Loulan Kingdom, which vanished suddenly between the 4th and 5th centuries, there are traces of human activity dating back 10,000 years. This mysterious ancient kingdom has left many abandoned ancient cities along the Tarim River and in the Taklamakan Desert, along with countless enigmas that remain unsolved. Famous sites in the region include Luntai Ancient City, ancient tomb clusters, the Qiemo ruins, ancient beacon towers, and ancient rock paintings.
1 day
Kaidu River
Legend has it that this was the last of the 81 ordeals Tang Monk faced on his journey to fetch scriptures from the Western Heaven. The unique scenery of the Kaidu River's 18 bends can be admired from the highest point of the scenic area, reached by sightseeing bus, with wide and open views. At sunset, if you're lucky and find the right angle, you may see nine suns reflected in the river, making it a prized spot for photography enthusiasts.
Bosten Lake
“Oasis” in the Xinjiang Uyghur language. The Bosten Lake Scenic Area has vast waters, misty expanses, winding channels, dense reeds, and blooming lotus flowers, with birds calling and fish leaping. It is a classic Jiangnan water-town scene, earning it the nickname “Pearl of the Western Frontier.”
¥42 (individual attractions charge separately) · 3–4 hours