On October 21, 2020, after finishing our tour at Baisha Lake and Baisha Mountain, we continued along National Highway 314. When the bus drove to an altitude of 3600m, a huge rock beside the road told us that we had arrived at "Karakul Lake", that is, Karakul Lake.
Karakul Lake is located at the foot of Muztagh Peak, the father of icebergs, 191 kilometers away from Kashi, and the China-Pakistan Highway passes by the lake.
Lake Karakuli I revisit the old place. When I came here more than ten years ago, there were no buildings such as the plank road by the lake. There is only a lonely tent, and there is a famous "watchman" old man living here, watching Karakul Lake and Muztag Peak. The picture shows the "Watch" old man I took back then.
Now a wooden plank road has been built beside Karakul Lake, leading directly to the lake.
Now a wooden plank road has been built beside Karakul Lake, leading directly to the lake.
"Karakuli" means "Black Lake", which is a lake of alpine glacial moraine. The water surface reflects the majestic and mysterious Muztagh Peak, the snow-capped mountains and rivers are the same color, and the scenery is very charming.
The relationship between Karakul Lake and Muztag Peak is a bit like the relationship between Gang Rinpoche and Mapang Yumco, Nyainqentanglha Mountain and Namtso. The two complement each other and are indispensable. For thousands of years, Karakul Lake has been lying peacefully beside Muztag Snow Peak, like a charming girl nestling in the arms of a hero. The lake water reflects the silver snow peaks, and the lake and mountains are integrated into one, making people intoxicated and fascinated by the picturesque poetry.
The 7,546-meter-high Muztagh Peak is majestic and covered with snow all the year round. It is known as the "father of icebergs". The "body shape" of Muztagh Peak is a soothing and majestic arch, which is somewhat similar to Mount Fuji in Japan.
Lake Karakul lies peacefully under the snow-capped peaks, the lake is deep and unpredictable, and it has a primitive scenery. Usually, there is a primitive scenery. Clean and clear, when it rains, the lake immediately becomes black and bright like lead. The locals say that Lake Karakuri, which is 3,600 meters above sea level, is the mirror of the two peaks.
Although it is called "Black Lake", it does not mean that its water or lake surface is always black, it is not a bit scary. In fact, Karakul Lake is a color-changing lake, which is its magic. It changes color with the light and shade of the day and the weather, as if it has been cast by magic. It is green, light yellow, blue, orange, etc. The colors alternate with each other.
When the weather is fine, the lake is clear and transparent, as pure as a mirror.
In fine weather, the silver peaks are reflected in the clear water, the lakes and mountains are integrated into one, and the scenery is picturesque and intoxicating.
Muztagh Peak, which means "father of the iceberg" in Tajik, is a famous mountaineering place. The ice layer on the top of the peak is between 100 meters and 200 meters thick. It is known as the father of icebergs, with an altitude of 7546 meters.
The silver peak is reflected in the clear water, and the lake and mountains are integrated into one. The scenery makes people intoxicated and fascinated.
On a calm day, the silvery peaks, green grasslands and herds by the lake are reflected in the lake, which is very beautiful.
Karakul Lake is a rare plateau lake in the world. The lake is surrounded by ice peaks and snow ridges, especially the surrounding Gongger, Gongger Jiubie Peak and Muztag Peak, which add a magical and beautiful color to the lake.
In terms of lake water alone, Kahu Lake is not outstanding, but because it is favored by the "father of icebergs" Muztag Peak and Gongger Peak and Gongger Jiubie Peak, both of which are above 7,500 meters above sea level, Karaku Lake Li has undoubtedly become a bright pearl on the Pamirs.
The blue Karakul Lake reflects three snow-capped mountains above 7,000 meters above sea level: Muztagh Mountain, Gongger Mountain and Gongger Jiubie Mountain.
Gongger Jiubie Peak, 7530 meters above sea level; Gongger Peak, 7649 meters above sea level (also often said to be 7719 meters above sea level); the two peaks are on the ridge line at the western end of the West Kunlun Mountains, and the straight-line distance is only 15 kilometers. Their mountains are connected, and they are a pair of sister peaks standing in a row. They are located in Akto County, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China. They belong to the West Kunlun Mountains together with the Muztag Peak in the south, and are known as the three famous peaks of the East Pamirs. The picture shows tourists taking photos of Gonger and Gonger Jiubie Peak.
Such a beautiful day, how can we not leave a commemorative photo.
On the banks of Lake Karakul, there are camels and horses provided by local herdsmen to take pictures for tourists.
On the banks of Lake Karakul, there are camels and horses provided by local herdsmen to take pictures for tourists.
There are horse tethering stones everywhere
Every summer and autumn, here is the base camp of mountaineering tourists, and it is also a place for passing tourists to visit. There are yurts and wooden houses by the lake for tourists to stay.
There are yurts and wooden houses by the lake for tourists to stay in, and provide flavor meals including lamb skewers and fresh vegetables.
At noon that day, we simply ate the fruit and naan we brought.
Karakul Lake is located at the foot of the Muztag Iceberg in the eastern Pamir Plateau. The lakeside is rich in water and grass, and Kirgiz herdsmen often live here.
The Subashi Grassland under Muztag Peak is lush with water and grass, and there are flocks of cattle and sheep. There are Tajik yurts and wooden houses, as well as special mountaineering camps.