Barkol Lake

The Barkol Lake Scenic Area is located in the western part of the Barkol Grassland, with an area of 119 square kilometers and a water surface altitude of 1,585 meters. It is a plateau saltwater lake and one of the four largest salt lakes in China. The Barkol Lake Scenic Area has become an important node landscape of the ancient Silk Road by building facilities such as a ring road around the lake, floating bridges and plank roads, and developing special tourism projects such as camel riding.

Highlights of Barkol Lake

Barkol Lake Main Lake

Scenery of Barkol Lake

Barkol Lake is a vast saltwater lake, lying quietly like a mirror on the Barkol Grassland. It is also the most beautiful lake in eastern Xinjiang. It consists of two lakes, the Northern and Southern ones. The Northern Lake produces salt, and the Southern Lake produces mirabilite and artemia. There is a wooden trestle about 500 meters long extending to the center of the lake. You can walk along the trestle, watch the beautiful lake view up close and take photos. The area of Barkol Lake changes greatly during the Wet Season and Dry Season. It is more than 100 square kilometers during the Wet Season, and it may shrink to less than half during the Dry Season. Summer is the best season to go to Barkol Lake. On the way there, you can also see the Barkol Grassland that looks like a "green ocean".

Recommended photo shooting location: The Barkol Lake Observation Deck is located on the west bank of the lake and is the best place to overlook the panoramic view. In the early morning, you can shoot the sunrise over the lake, with golden sunlight shining on the sparkling water; in the evening, the sunset turns the lake orange-red, with beautiful scenery.

Jianshanzi (Pointed Mountain)

Jianshanzi is over 1,940 meters at an altitude, guarding Barkol Lake like a mighty guard. It is located on the south bank of Barkol Lake, with two reddish-brown hills side by side, as sharp as swords, piercing the blue sky, commonly known as Jianshanzi. In summer, when the morning sun bursts through the mountains, the first rays of dawn shine on the top of Jianshan, like holy light shining over the green grassland and the vast Barkol Lake, forming a "blurred mirage covering the mountains" scenery. Jianshanzi is not only a natural landscape, but also carries a rich historical and cultural background. At the foot of Jianshan is the ancient Silk Road heading west, and along the way you can see the military stations built in the Qing Dynasty.

Kazakh Folk Custom Experience Area

Yurts by the Lake

There are many herder villages scattered along the lake. Visitors can enter the yurts, taste traditional food such as milk tea, butter, and milk curds, learn to make handicrafts, and even participate in daily chores such as milking and herding sheep.

Educational Value

Lakeside Wetlands

The lakeside wetlands are an important stopover on the Central Asian migratory bird route. Thousands of migratory birds can be seen gathering here in April–May and September–October every year. You can popularize the key role of wetlands in biodiversity conservation and the impact of global climate change on migratory bird migration by observing the species, population changes, and habitat requirements of migratory birds.

Activities to do at Barkol Lake

Cycling around the lake: The scenic area offers bicycle rental services. Cycling along the lakeside road, the breeze blows on your face, and along the way you can see the beautiful scenery of grasslands, lakes and snow-capped mountains.

Starry sky observation: Away from urban light pollution, the night sky of Barkol Lake is full of stars. You can use a telescope or the naked eye to see the Milky Way and constellations, and photography enthusiasts can also take stunning star trail photos.

Bird photography: The large wetlands on the lakeside are a paradise for birds, with more than 20 species of water birds such as egrets and demoiselle cranes. Every year in the migratory season from April to May and September to October, thousands of migratory birds will gather here, which is suitable for tourists to photograph birds.