Lake Karakuli
The Lake Karakuli is located at the foot of Mirshitage Glacier "Father of Glacier and cradle of Chinese mountaineering" - The Muztagata Mountain range 7546 meters high being 191 kilometers away from Kashi. The railway from China to Pakistan bypasses the lakeside. From here is not too far from the base camp for climbing Muztagata Mountains (you can either go on foot or by camel, 5 hours needed).
The clear water is a deep blue almost black "Karakuli" means black in Uygur language". It is at the altitude of 3600 meters above sea level with a depth of 30 meters and covers an area of 10 square kilometers. Actually Karakuli Lake is a glacier lake. Surrounded by mountains, the lake has plenty of water and lush grass, where Kirghiz herdsmen usually settle down and graze their herds.
In fine weather, silver peaks are reflected in blue water with landscapes of lakes and mountains integrated into a whole. Sceneries are just like those drawn in paintings and described in poems, intoxicating people. There is a tourist reception center beside the lake where tents, Mongolian yurts, yachts, camels and horses are made available to tourists.
Grass is luxuriant on the Subashi grasslands near the lake, with herds of cattle and sheep grazing on it. There are Tadzhik yurts, log cabins, and professional base camps for mountaineers. Bulunkou transportation station is 30 kilometers away to the north of the lake for visitors' boarding and lodging.
Karakuli is one of the exceptional plateau lakes in the world, it is encircled by glaciers. Especially, Kongur Peak, Kongur Tube Peak and Muztagata Peak nearby add magical and beautiful luster to it. On a calm and tranquil day, silver peaks pure and white with green grasslands and herds of livestock around the lakeside are reflected in the lake and are extraordinarily graceful. During summer and autumn, it becomes the base camp for mountaineers and also a scenic spot for tourists.
How to Get There?
You can find tourist routes in the downtown area leading to Karakuli
Opening Hours
08:00 AM - 17:00 PM
More Tips
Recommended time for a visiting: A day