The Jewel of the Pamir Plateau
Plan My Trip →Karakul (Kala Kul) Lake, on the Pamir Plateau of western Xinjiang, is famous for its extraordinary gradient of colors — shifting from deep blue to turquoise to green as you look across its surface. It's one of the most beautiful places in China.
Karakul means 'Black Lake' in the local Turkic languages, though its waters appear in shifting shades of blue and green. At 3,600 meters on the Pamir Plateau, it's ringed by the snow-capped peaks of the Kongur and Mustagh Ata mountains.
The lake's famous 'gradient' coloring — bands of different hues across its surface — is caused by the varying depth, glacial sediment, and the angle of light. Photographers come from around the world to capture this unique effect.
Mustagh Ata (7,546m), the 'Father of Ice Mountains,' towers above the lake's western shore. Its glaciers and summit are visible from the lakeshore — a breathtaking sight, especially at sunrise and sunset.
Karakul Lake lies on the Karakoram Highway, about 190 kilometers southwest of Kashgar (roughly 4 hours' drive). It's the traditional overnight stop for travelers heading toward the Khunjerab Pass on the border with Pakistan.
Walk the lakeshore, ride a camel or horse with the local Kyrgyz herders, or simply sit and watch the changing colors. Simple guesthouses and yurt camps offer accommodation for the night — essential for sunset and sunrise photography.
At 3,600 meters, altitude is a factor — take it easy and hydrate. Weather is changeable and nights are cold year-round. Bring warm layers even in summer. The journey from Kashgar along the KKH is itself a spectacular experience.