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Karakol Lake
From Wikitravel
Contents
Karakol Lake is in Xinjiang, China.
[edit] Understand
Karakul Lake (meaning "black lake") is located approximately 200km from Kashgar, Xinjiang province, China, in Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture on the Karakoram Highway, before reaching Tashkurgan and the Khunjerab Pass on the China - Pakistan border. At an altitude of 3600m (though a height of nearer 3,900 m has been quoted), it is the highest lake of the Pamir plateau, near the junction of the Pamir, Tian Shan and Kunlun mountain ranges. Surrounded by mountains which remain snow-covered throughout the year, the three highest peaks visible from the lake are Muztagh Ata (7546m), Kongur Tagh (7649m) and Kongur Tiube (7530m). The lake is popular among travelers for its unreal scenery and the clarity of its reflection in the water, whose color ranges from a dark green to azure and light blue. There are two Kirgiz settlements along the shore of Karakul lake, a small number of yurts about 1km east of the bus drop-off point and a village with stone houses located on the western shores.
[edit] History
[edit] Landscape
[edit] Flora and fauna
[edit] Climate
[edit] Get in
A daily bus (43 RMB) heading for Tashkurgan which passes the lake leaves from the long distance bus station in Kashgar at 9.30am Beijing Time (please note that the bus station operates on Xinjiang Time which is -2.00hrs BT; thus the departure time on the ticket is 7.30am). It arrives at the lake after about 5-6 hours. Alternatively, a taxi can be booked from most hotels in Kashgar for a set price of 500 RMB per car, per day (i.e. it can be done as a day trip).
Note: as of August 2009, this bus will only leave if there are enough passengers going to Pakistan to warrant a trip. At that time, there were usually not enough travelers. The only other way to get to Karakul Lake is to book a tour through a travel agency. A reasonable price is 200 RMB per person round trip for a day trip with about 2-3 hours at the lake. The plus is that a shared taxi will take about 2-3 hours to get there.
Many people visit the lake either as a stop off when travelling the Karakorum Highway between Pakistan and Kashgar, Xinjiang in China
[edit] Fees/Permits
Entrance fee: RMB 50 (tickets available at the entrance)
[edit] Get around
Local Kirgiz have camels & horses which can be rented for a ride around the lake (5 hours by camels and 3 hours by horses)
[edit][add listing] See
[edit][add listing] Do
The Kygriz locals outside the park will do a three hour horse or camel trek around the lake and a long motorcycle ride up Mutgaza Ata and hiking until you're tired, all for 100 kuai. Definitely a bargain and will be very memorable.
[edit][add listing] Buy
Local Kirgiz make traditional handicraft items and will be happy to sell some to you.
[edit][add listing] Eat
There is dining at the Chinese hotel, but prices are a bit steep. Locals will cook meals for you inside their own yurts for about 10 kuai per person.
[edit][add listing] Drink
[edit][add listing] Sleep
There is a Chinese hotel with rooms (50 RMB) and semi-authentic yurts (40 RMB) at the bus drop-off point. The much better way is to stay with a Kyrgiz family in a yurt (30 RMB per yurt, 10 RMB for tea/dinner/breakfast) or village house. Alternatively, there is hotel accommodation in nearby Tashkurgan.
Prices do vary, and the Chinese hotel will try to rip you off. Staying with the Kyrgiz families is a much better experience. They are very honest and hospitable people and the young men who act as travel guides are great hosts.
[edit] Lodging
[edit] Camping
[edit] Backcountry
[edit] Stay safe
Given the high altitude, rough terrain, and proximity to international borders, one should be careful to not wander too far without previous preparation.
[edit] Get out
The daily bus from Tashkurgan, heading back to Kashgar, arrives at the drop-off point near the Chinese hotel at around 12pm Beijing Time. If all seats are taken, there might be the chance to catch a taxi for around 120-150 RMB. Alternatively it may be possible to hitch a ride, although some form of payment will be expected (possibly around 70 RMB).
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