Sai Li Mu Lake Pink Hue and Colorful Clouds Timing and Shooting Locations

📷The photo sequence follows a counterclockwise route around the lake (East Gate - South Gate ) section Shooting date: November 30, 2025 p1 Pink dawn glow, taken at 9:45 AM, Santai Grassland - Ten-Mile Long Dyke section p2 Sunlight on the mountain, taken at 9:51 AM, same location p3 Pink dawn glow, taken at 9:38 AM, same location p4 Taken at 9:59 AM, same location p5 Taken at 10:32 AM, Ten-Mile Long Dyke section p6 Taken at 10:34 AM, Ten-Mile Long Dyke section p7 Taken at 6:42 PM, Waterside Beach section p8 Taken at 11:05 AM, near North Gate p9 Taken at 11:14 AM, North Gate to Khan Bay section p10 Taken at 11:14 AM, same location p11 Taken at 11:17 AM, same location p12 Taken at 11:18 AM, same location p13 Taken at 11:19 AM, same location p14 Taken at 11:36 AM, General’s Platform section p15 Taken at 11:41 AM, Swan Happy Water section p16 Taken at 12:05 PM, S Bay to Pine Tree Head section p17 Taken at 12:06 PM, same location p18 Sunset pink hue, taken on November 28 at 7:04 PM facing East Gate (As long as you reach an open area, the chance to see pink hues is very high; many spots around the lake offer views of both sunrise and sunset) 💰Trip expenses as follows: Chengdu - Yining: Friday flight - Sunday return, round-trip airfare per person 650 + 1120 RMB eHi Car Rental: Tiguan L 1.5T two-wheel drive with snow tires 509 RMB Fuel: Yining - Sai Li Mu Lake round trip + 2.5 laps around Sai Li Mu Lake ring road = half tank, 214 RMB Toll fees: 35 + 21 + 35 + 19 = 110 RMB Hotel: Scenic area East Gate - Blue Lake International 420 RMB * 2 (two nights) Meals: Mixed noodles or hand-pulled rice, 25-45 RMB per meal Snacks and drinks (Dongmen Haoxianglai, prices considered cheap): 76 RMB for a large bag Self-driving ticket: 115 RMB * 2 (unlimited entry and exit within 48 hours, checked 4 times, great value; note: I tried 3 times and could not enter from the Old East Gate, self-driving only allowed from New East Gate. It seems pedestrians cannot enter from New East Gate, only Old East Gate. Without a self-driving ticket and taking a vehicle, you cannot pass through New East Gate) Horse riding and climbing at Pine Tree Head costs 180 RMB; without trekking poles, crampons, or shoes with good grip, proceed with caution. The snow on the boardwalk is very slippery and steep; climbing up is hard, descending is even harder. 🚗Lake ring route options: all are fine. At the end of November, if chasing sunrise, areas near East Gate are very good. Turning left leads to S Bay, Pine Tree Head, Kele Yongzhu; turning right leads to Moon Bay, Ten-Mile Long Dyke, Waterside Bay, all good. Currently, at the end of November, the main pink sunrise views are along the Swan Happy Water to North Gate section; other directions are lighter. On my return flight at 6 PM, I saw a 360-degree ring of pink hues, colors similar to Sai Li Mu Lake on Saturday, so pink hues may be common in this season as long as the sky is clear. If there are light clouds, there is a high chance of colorful clouds. ☁️Pay close attention to the weather when heading to Sai Li Mu Lake: apps like Win, Tianwen Tong, Lijing Weather, etc.