Sayram Lake, a popular travel destination in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, is turning a tourism boom into lasting growth for surrounding service industries.
Known to locals as "the last teardrop of the Atlantic," Sayram is formed by water vapor that has traveled from the Atlantic Ocean, crossing Europe and Central Asia, over mountains, and finally gathering at the foot of the Tianshan mountain range.
From January to mid-June, revenue at the lake surged by over 92 percent year on year. The surge in popularity partly comes from famous CCTV host Sa Beining, who made a remark following his visit to the lake: "If you haven't been to Sayram Lake, you haven't lived."
According to local travel services, the increased tourism has given rise to numerous opportunities.
"So far this year, visitor numbers have already matched the total for all of last year. In order to keep tourists staying longer, we've opened a new visitor center. Now the lake has 193 vendors," said Liu Tianyu, a staff member of a travel agency.
The lake has also boosted cultural tourism in nearby regions, including Wenquan County, which is home to 147 hot springs.
"We planned to visit Sayram Lake, but arrived late in the day. It would have been too late to visit the lake, so we came to Wenquan County instead," said a tourist in the county.
"Hot springs help release dampness from the body, so I brought my parents here for a try," said another visitor.
Local authorities are accelerating the push for integrated tourism and wellness industries. Visitors can try different kinds of wellness treatments, from acupuncture to massages and other specialized techniques.
"Many tourists visiting Sayram Lake also stop by Wenquan County. They enjoy the hot springs and special wellness services. This summer peak season, we've already seen far more visitors than last year," said a physical therapist in Wenquan County.
Since July when the summer holiday season began, many local hotels have been fully booked. In the future, Wenquan County will also host cultural performances and music concerts to further enrich visitors' experiences.
Xinjiang's Sayram Lake becomes tourism hotspot, boosting surrounding businesses
