Heading west, experience the stunning scenery on the Pamir Plateau
The journey from Kashgar to Taxkorgan, the appearance of the White Sand Lake, also kicks off the scenic journey. The official name of White Sand Lake is "Chakrak Lake", locals also call it "Bulunkou Lake", in fact, it is Bulun Reservoir. In 2012, due to the construction of the Gez River Hydropower Station and damming, it eventually turned into a 44 square kilometer water surface, it is also the first of the 11 reservoirs on the Gez River.
🌟Highlights:
The surface of White Sand Lake is like a mirror, the sand mountain white sand is like snow, in the distance are the continuous snow mountains, the snow light shines on the White Sand Lake, the White Sand Lake reflects the White Sand Mountain, the three reflect each other, the same color up and down, both illusion and reality. The color of the water surface of White Sand Lake varies under different weather conditions, and the lake and mountain scenery is like an oil painting.
✨Tips:
White Sand Lake has two viewing areas, not far apart, the one closer to Kashgar is suitable for distant viewing, the one closer to Taxkorgan is suitable for seeing the white sand, you can take pictures along the way, the scenery is beautiful, but you can't stop the car.
🎫Ticket Information:
Cars can only be parked in the two parking lots on the side of the road, the entrance fee is 40 yuan per person, a plank road has been built by the lake, you can go down to the lake, continue to walk towards Taxkorgan there is a free viewing area, with a wide view, and no ticket is required!
⭐️Karakul Lake:
Continuing from White Sand Lake towards Taxkorgan is the lake, it is located at the foot of "Father of Glaciers" Mustag Peak, because the lake water is deep and dark, hence the name "Karakul", which means black lake in Kirghiz, at an altitude of about 3600 meters.
The lake water is surrounded by mountains, the lakeside is rich in water and grass, often there are Kirghiz herders grazing here. On a clear day, the blue water reflects the silver peaks, the lake and mountain scenery is integrated, the scenery is poetic and picturesque. Here, you can get a close view of Mustag Peak, Gongger Peak, Gongger Jiubie Peak, these three are all over 7000 meters above sea level, they are the iconic snow mountains of the Pamir Plateau.
✅Karakul Lake also requires a ticket, 50 yuan per person.
🚉Travel Strategy:
The two lakes are the main attractions from Kashgar to Taxkorgan, you can take a car from Kashgar to Taxkorgan, get off halfway, but it is very inconvenient, it is best to drive by yourself, or join a one-day/two-day tour group in Kashgar.
Service, basically no, a smell of sheep dung, the scenery is good, the lake reflected the Gonggel Jiube Peak and the Mousstag Peak, very majestic, but unfortunately the sun reflected that day, can not shoot a good feeling
Be sure to go when the weather is good, and the photo is invincible. If the weather is not good, you can wait for the return trip. Anyway, the attraction is on the must-pass road in Kashgar County, and there is no detour at all.
The continuous snowy mountains, the calm lake, make people intoxicated... The altitude is slightly higher, as long as the action is not strong, the temperature is low, and you have to wear a thick coat. When I was shivering in my shawl, a big sister asked me if I could take off and borrow her to take pictures. There were too many mosquitoes by the lake. It was recommended to be fully armed.
Lake Karakuri, the lake is not very big, the deepest is only 30 meters, a lake that should have been unremarkable, but is famous for the snowy mountains around the world. The "father of the iceberg" Moustag peak has not to say much, and the other two snow-capped mountains are also very popular: Gonggeer Peak & Gonggeer Jiube Peak, the first peak and the second peak of the Kunlun Mountains respectively. The highest altitude is 7,649 meters, in a pyramid shape, no one has climbed to the top for more than 40 years (only one person before). People say that Lake Karakuri is the mirror of these snow-capped mountains, especially clear and bright, and the color is particularly deep, locals call it the "Black Sea."
Karakule Lake is 3,600 meters above sea level, an area of 10 square kilometers, and the water depth is more than 30 meters, not very big. If it weren't for the tall Gonggel Peak, Gonggel Jiube Peak and Mustag Peak, next to the lake, Karakule Lake is not so colorful. However, with the mountains is different, around the lake to enjoy the great scenery of the Pamir plateau. The blue ridge reflects on the more blue water, the lake and the mountains, quite a bit of a wonderful reverie.
Blue sky, white clouds, snow mountains, lakes..., dreamy scenery, intoxicating! Thanks to nature for the gift, I was really lucky to meet such a good weather. Opposite is the Moustag Peak, worthy of being the "father of icebergs", the body is white, the snow plus the glacier, the cover is very heavy. The silvery figure, reflected in the blue lake water, stood by the lake, looking at such a beautiful scenery, feeling the heart is melting.
Karakule Lake is about 200 kilometers away from Kashgar. It will pass the Baisha Lake scenic spot along the way, and then reach Lake Krakule, about 4 hours drive. Lake Krakule is an alpine lake, with an average altitude of about 4,000 meters. The lake can overlook the Moustag Peak. The lake is clear, and the snow-capped mountains are very beautiful under the sun. Be sure to go on a sunny day, and the scenery will be greatly discounted if the weather is not good. The scenic spot is now well repaired. There is a wooden plank road by the lake, and the two sides of the plank road are a good place to film. You can ride horses and ride camels by the lake to take pictures. 30 yuan per person, bargaining depends on the personal level. Horse riding seems to be 50 yuan, distance and time can be talked about. As long as you don't do strenuous exercise, the scenic spot will basically not have altitude sickness, pay attention to sun protection and drink more water. There are light meals, instant noodles and so on near the parking lot.