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191km away from Kashgar, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
Plateau lake surrounded by 3 snow mountains over 7,500 meters, including Muztagh Ata
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.
Lake Karakul, which means black lake in Kirgiz, is named after its deep and dark lake. It is located beside the China-Pakistan Highway in Subas, Bulunkou Township, Akto County, with an altitude of 3,600 meters, a depth of more than 30 meters, and a lake surface of about 10 square kilometers. It is composed of two lakes connected in tandem, so it is also called "Sister Lake" locally. From Kashgar to Tashkurgan Tajik Autonomous County, or from the county to Kashgar, you usually pass here around noon.
Lake Kalakul is also called Discolored Lake and Seven-color Lake. Every morning after sunrise, the sparkling lake is constantly changing colors with time. With the change of the sun, the lake is sometimes blue, sometimes yellow and sometimes orange. At ordinary times, the lake is clean and clear as a mirror. Whenever there are dark clouds, the lake will become black like ink and become a veritable black lake.
Gonggeer Mountain and Gonggeer Jiubie Peak are in the west of the Lake Kalakul, and Muztagh Ata is in the east. These snow peaks are located in the West Kunlun Mountains(Karakoram Range) and are called the three famous peaks in the East Pamirs, whose elevation are all over 7,500 meters. Muztagh Ata is about 7,509 meters above sea level, which means iceberg in Uygur language. The top of the mountain is covered with snow all year round, which is very mysterious and is called "the father of glaciers".
Picturesque Lake on the Plateau
Lake Karakul is an alpine glacial moraine lake with abundant aquatic plants, where Kirgiz herders often graze and stop. The grassland by the lake is covered with colorful wild flowers, and on the shore of the lake further away, there are villages of all sizes. There are waterfowl and wild ducks in the lake, and occasionally swans come to rest and feed.
When you come here, visitors can enjoy the beautiful scenery of lakes and snow mountains, and also experience the life of plateau herders. When the sun sets, you can even spend the night here in the tent. When the sun rises, you can enjoy the sunrise on the snow mountains.
Convenient Transportation
Lake Karakul is located next to National Highway 314, with convenient transportation. There are several houses and tents built by plateau tourist reception stations by the lake, which are used as permanent base camps for mountaineering enthusiasts from all over the world.
Glaciers
On the west bank of Lake Karakul, you can see various glacier wonders. The glacier tongue at the end of the glacier is generally hundreds of meters wide and tens to tens of meters high. The melted ice water flows down the tip of glacier tongue and condenses into icicles after encountering ice. Over time, rows of icicles are like a crystal palace, crystal and huge.
Historical Significance
The Silk Road has passed through this lake since its opening. For thousands of years, Lake Karakul has brought surprises to many business travelers.
Summer and autumn(August and September) every year is the best time to visit the Lake Karakul. At this time, mountain climbers at home and abroad will be attracted to climb Muztagh Ata. Lake Karakul is the base camp of mountain climbers.
June to August is the best time to visit Xinjiang with most beautiful scenery of grasslands, lakes and villages. This time is also the peak season for Xinjiang traveling. If you plan to visit Xinjiang from June to August, please get prepared of the crowds.
To get to the Lake Karakul, you can take the bus to Ta County in Kashgar and get off at Karakul Lake. Located next to National Highway 314, you will pass the Lake Karakul at noon whether you are going to the Pamirs Plateau or going down from Tashkurgan.
Before traveling, it is recommended that you fully understand the local climate and weather in the Lake Karakul and make corresponding preparations, such as bringing appropriate clothes and shoes.
Please pay attention to the road conditions and traffic safety.
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