Karakul Lake is located at the foot of the "Father of Glaciers" Muztagh Ata Peak. Because the lake water is deep and dark, it is named "Karakul", which means Black Lake in Kyrgyz language.
Chinese Name: 喀拉库勒湖
Location: Akto County, Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang
Ticket: 45 RMB per person
Opening Time: 10:00-20:00, Open all year round; please consult the scenic spot for specific business status
Features of Karakul Lake
Locating at an altitude of 3,600 m, it is the highest lake of the Pamir plateau, near the junction of the Pamir, Tianshan and Kunlun Mountain ranges. Surrounded by mountains which remain snow-covered throughout the year, the three highest peaks visible from the lake are the Muztag Ata (7546m), Kongur Tagh (7,649m) and Kongur Tube (7,530 m). The lake is popular among travellers for its beautiful scenery and the clarity of its reflection in the water, whose colour ranges from a dark green to azure and light blue.
The lake water changes colors with the sunshine throughout the day. Usually, the lake water is clean and clear, like a mirror; when the sky is overcast, the lake water becomes black as if it were filled with ink, becoming a veritable "black lake". Every morning at sunrise, the shimmering lake water changes like the sky on the stage: sometimes azure blue, sometimes light yellow, sometimes orange, giving people the feeling of being in a fairyland.
What to Visit in Karakul Lake
There is a vast grassland in front of the lake. In spring and summer, there are herds of cattle and sheep on the grassland, water birds and wild ducks swimming on the lake, and occasionally swans foraging here. Under the sunshine, the lake is full of brilliance, reflecting the majestic Muztagh Ata Peak, which is extremely gorgeous. There is a legend that there is a water monster in this lake, but of course it is unknown whether it is true or not, because after all, no one has seen it.
When to visit Karakul Lake
Every June to October is the best time to travel to Karakul Lake, at this time, tourists can not only enjoy the scenery of Pamir Plateau but also enjoy the fragrance of melons and fruits to name just a few. which is quite suitable for sightseeing and vacation.
Meanwhile, every spring, summer and winter are the best time to go to Karakul Lake for photography, the snowy mountains are quite magnificent, with the different light, the autumn grass in the Subashi grassland is bright and golden. Unlike the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the Pamir Plateau is vast and magnificent, photographs can also make people feel more mysterious.
How to get to Karakul Lake
It is 200 kilometers (about 4.5 hours driving) away from Kashgar city to Karakul Lake. Travelers can take a car or a coach to Karakul Lake.
More Classic Route to Xinjiang and Kashgar
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