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Karakuli Lake
Karakuli Lake
Karakuli Lake 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 to 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.
Karakuli Lake
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 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 lake and is extraordinarily graceful. During summer and autumn, it becomes the base camp for mountaineers and also a scenic spot for tourists.
Surrounding scenery
It is an unspoiled natural paradise with breathtaking natural scenery. The crystal water reflects the surrounding snow-capped mountains, blue sky and floating clouds which are stunningly enchanting and in perfect harmony. Such scenery is intoxicating just like it is described in poem and drawing. Rambling along the lake you feel relaxed and serene. It is undoubtedly an ideal place for mountain-seeing and tour. Breathe the fresh air and enjoy the comfortable weather near lakeside.
The grand Mushitage peak, Gonger peak, Gongerjiubie peak invert and reflect in water, the landscape in land and water, the lake, the hills add radiance and beauty to each other. It is very quiet here. There is a grasslands near the lake, the grass grow luxuriantly, shepherd from Kazak and Kerkuzi often station to herd sheep and castle here. There built yurt and wooden house, service center that offer help for mountaineer who sleep in the open.
Mushitage peak which Lake Karakuli located is the third highest peak in the Pamirs, called the father of iceberg and the cradle of Chinese mountaineering. It soars 7,546 meters into the clear sky. When looked from distance, the long sweep of snow-napped mountains displays immortal beauty. Under the bright sun, the blue sky, white cloud, iceberg and snow peaks form beautiful scenery just like myth. It is said that Mushitage iceberg changed from a kind-hearted Goddess. The legend shows a happy imagination from Tajike and Kerkuzi minority nationality in Xinjiang.
