Karakul Lake: The Jewel of the Pamir Plateau

Karakul Lake lies at 3,600 meters on the Karakoram Highway between Kashgar and Pakistan. The lake, ringed by peaks including the 7,546-meter Kongur Tagh, is one of the highest driveable lakes in the world. It is one of the most beautiful places in Xinjiang.

The Lake

Karakul means Black Lake in Turkic languages. The lake is deep blue, its color changing with the light. The water is crystal clear, reflecting the peaks. Kyrgyz herders camp near the shore in summer, tending their sheep and yaks.

Surrounding Peaks

The Pamir peaks surrounding the lake include Muztagh Ata (7,546 meters) to the west and the Kongur Tagh mass to the north. These peaks are part of the Pamir, the roof of the world. The setting is dramatic, with snow peaks rising directly from the lakeshore.

Kyrgyz Culture

The area is home to Kyrgyz nomads, who live in traditional yurt camps near the lake. In summer, families move to the high pastures with their livestock. Visitors can stay in yurt camps, drinking salty milk tea and watching the sunset over the lake.

The Karakoram Highway

The Karakoram Highway, built by China and Pakistan in the 1970s, connects Kashgar to Islamabad. The route through the Khunjerab Pass (4,693 meters) is one of the highest paved roads in the world. The highway is an engineering marvel crossing some of the most mountainous terrain on earth.

Getting There

Karakul is about 200 kilometers from Kashgar, reachable by bus or shared taxi. The journey takes 4 to 5 hours, crossing several passes. The best time is May to October; the highway is closed in winter.