China Travel Guide
Attraction · Kashgar Karakul Lake (along the White Sand Lake route)

Karakul Lake (along the White Sand Lake route)

A high-altitude moraine lake on the Pamir Plateau at approx. 3,600 m, facing the 'Father of Ice Mountains' Muztagh Ata (7,546 m) across the road; on clear days the snow peaks reflect in the lake, and smoke curling from Kyrgyz yurts and yaks drinking by the shore form a classic scene

Visitor info

Opening hours
Open all day
Ticket
approx. CNY 45

Price is indicative — final quote on inquiry.

A high-altitude moraine lake on the Pamir Plateau at approx. 3,600 m, facing the 'Father of Ice Mountains' Muztagh Ata (7,546 m) across the road; on clear days the snow peaks reflect in the lake, and smoke curling from Kyrgyz yurts and yaks drinking by the shore form a classic scene. Along the way, the drifting-sand dunes of White Sand Lake and Kongur Tagh (7,649 m) make up the most magnificent stretch of the China–Pakistan Friendship Highway (G314). The altitude is high—keep warm and protected from the sun, and take it slow; sunrise, sunset, and the starry sky are the highlight moments.

Getting there: Self-drive / chartered car via G314 (approx. 190 km)

Photos

Karakul Lake (along the White Sand Lake route) — photo 2Karakul Lake (along the White Sand Lake route) — photo 3Karakul Lake (along the White Sand Lake route) — photo 4

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