Karakul lake
2 min readKarakul Lake is located beside the Sino-Pakistan Highway in Soubachi of BulunkouTown in Akto County, which is 220km away from Artux and about 200km southwest of Kashi. and among the Kongur Tagh. Kongur Tobe Feng and Muztagata peak At an altitude of 3, 652m with an area of 10km and the depth of more than 30m, the lake is called”Karakul (the Kirgiz language, “Black Lake”), which means black lake for its deep and dark water It is the famous alpine freshwater lake on Pamirs. On ordinary days, the lake is clear and green, but it will become ash black when it is cloudy over and when torrential rain comes. At dawn, the lake is like a deep green mirror; when the sun rises and shines, the lake begins to change colors from light blue to light yellow, and to pink, which is really beautiful and visitors will feel like they are in a fairyland.
Karakul Lake is surrounded by mountains. The lake and snow-capped peaks enhance each other’s beauty under the blue sky and white clouds, and the clear water is just like a mirror, all of which form a beautiful picture. There are natural pastures around the lake. In summer and autumn, grass and flowers are in bloom, and cattle and sheep wander around making the scene picturesque.
Karakul Lake is not far from the base camp for climbing the Muztagata Peak, which can be reached in 5 hours on foot or by riding a camel. The Soubachi Grassland beside the lake is rich in lush grass, and there are flocks of cattle and sheep. There are Ta jik yurts and huts and also the dedicated mountaineering camp. Bulunkou transportation depot, 30km north of the lake, also provides accommodation for tourists Karakul Lake is located at the foot of Muztagata Peak in eastern Pamirs, surrounded by mountains with lush grass on the lakeside, and Kirgiz herdsmen often pasture here. Onsunny days. the lakes and mountains are just like an integral whole with silver peaks reflected on the lake, and the picturesque scenery is quite impressive. Tourist reception centers have been built beside the lake with tents yurts, yachts, camels and horses for meeting the needs of visitors.
Before sunrise, Muztagata Peak and Karakul Lake glow the deep blue light. When the sun rise slowly, the colors of Muztagata Peak change from purplish red to golden red, and finally turn to slightly pink in 10 minutes. What’s more, Karakul Lake is as smooth as a mirror, reflecting the snow-capped peak on the deep and clean lake; when the day becomes lighter, the mist begins to appear on the calm lake, swaying like chiffon.
