Karakul Lake is located approximately 200km from
Kashgar. At an altitude of 3,600m, it is the highest lake of the Pamir Plateau, near the junction of the Pamir Mountains, Tianshan and Kunlunshan mountain ranges.
Karakul means “black lake” and it is indeed looks black when the sun is hidden by clouds. It’s the highest lake in the world excluding those in
Tibet and even Titicaca Lake – the biggest alpine lake in the world is located on lower altitudes. The lake has 2 basins separated by a peninsula from the south and an island in the north. Surrounded by mountains which remain snow-covered throughout the year, the three highest peaks visible from the lake are the Muztagh Ata (7,546m), Kongur Tagh (7,649m) and Kongur Tiube (7,530m).
The Karakul Lake is popular among travelers for its fantastic scenery and the clarity of its reflection in the water, whose color ranges from a dark green to azure and light blue. The well-preserved environment here will give people a breath-taking feel. The crystal water reflecting the surrounding mountains, peaks and blue sky and clouds is stunningly beautiful. Karakul Lake is surrounded by mountains with snow and ice. It is a place which can clean the dusty of people’s hearts, tell people the origin face of the earth, and combine the creature of the nature harmoniously.
Basic Information
1. Accommodation: Ger 40 Yuan/person, brick houses 50 Yuan/person.
2. Transportation: 220 km from Artush city, after arriving Artush tourists can charter a car or contact the local travel agency.
3. Food: There is tourist restaurant along the lake with distinguished Kirgiz, Uygur, Han and other ethnic cook cooking special meals for tourists.
Photo Tip
Usually people would like to go to Xinjiang to take pictures during spring and summer, in fact, when the day is cold, there is also another beautiful scenery in Xinjiang. Snow-capped mountain is magnificent, and Karakul Lake due to the difference of time, different light, changing color. Soubachi prairie’s grass under the sunshine of autumn is golden and bright. Pamirs Plateau is different from the Qinghai-Tibet plateau, it is boundless vast, much morbidezza. The pictures taken in here also make people feel more mysterious.
Jiangbulake Glacier also translated “Yangbulake Glacier”, more than 4300 meters above sea level. Here due to the thin air, and must pass ramp through hundreds of meters, so if tourists who are not very strong must hire local kirgiz herdsmen as guide and they can help to bring pack and cameras.