South Xinjiang | Exploring the Mystery of the "Monster" in Karakul Lake

I finally arrived at the other side of the Anywhere Door, Karakul Lake. Karakul Lake is a typical plateau lake, with an average altitude of about 3,560 meters. The "Father of Glaciers," Muztagh Ata, stands to the east of the lake, while the winding Sarikol mountain range lies to the west. Karakul Lake is like a pearl of the plateau, nestled between the blue sky, white clouds, glaciers, and snow-capped mountains. With the changing winds, it can be as calm as water or as choppy as the sea. Under the sunlight, the reflection of Muztagh Ata in Karakul Lake makes the healing scenery even more picturesque. 📖The Legend of Karakul Lake Karakul Lake is also known as the "Color-changing Lake" because its water changes color with the seasons and time. Legend has it that the color changes are due to a monster in the lake, and this legend has been around for over a thousand years. The Tang Dynasty monk Xuanzang passed by here on his pilgrimage, calling it the "Great Dragon Pool" where a giant Jiao (a mythical dragon-like creature) lurks. There is still no real explanation for the mystery of the monster, and this mysterious place keeps many tourists coming back with endless fantasies. Karakul Lake is 200 kilometers from Kashgar, and the journey passes through the Baishe Lake scenic area, taking about four hours by car. Classic one-day tour route: Baishe Lake ➡️ Muztagh Ata ➡️ Karakul Lake 🎫Ticket: 45 ⌚️Opening hours: 10:00-20:00 📍Address: Karakul Lake Scenic Area, Bulungkol Township, Akto County, Kizilsu Kirghiz Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang