The best reflections occur in spring (May–June) and early autumn (September), when clear skies are more reliable and the lake surface is less likely to be disturbed by summer storm fronts. July and August see the most visitors — Chinese domestic tourism peaks in summer — but also the most afternoon cloud and occasional rain that breaks the mirror effect.
Winter visits are atmospheric and very cold: the lake surface may freeze in part, and the entrance facilities operate on reduced hours. The salt crust is unchanged but the reflection effect depends on water, so frozen sections yield different, starker images. If crowd avoidance is the goal, weekdays in early May or late September offer the best compromise between good light and manageable visitor numbers.