Karakul Lake
“Karakul” means “Black Sea.” The lake lies 198 km south of Kashgar, on the Subash Grassland at an altitude of 3,600 m, near National Highway 314 leading to Khunjerab. Its backdrop is Muztagh Ata,…
Karakul Lake, Kashgar
Key facts
- Admission
- ¥50
- Opening hours
- 10：00—20：00
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Getting there
- Located in Tar Tajik Ethnic Township, Akto County; reachable by self-drive along National Highway G314; about 3 h by self-drive from Kashgar city
- Guidebook rating
- 3 / 5
From China Self Guided Travel 2025, page 896. Open in Google Maps
About Karakul Lake
“Karakul” means “Black Sea.” The lake lies 198 km south of Kashgar, on the Subash Grassland at an altitude of 3,600 m, near National Highway 314 leading to Khunjerab. Its backdrop is Muztagh Ata, known as the “Father of Snow Mountains.” Muztagh Ata rises to 7,509 m and is a famous mountaineering destination. Its majestic, pure and elegant form, along with its beautiful legends, has made it a symbol of pure love for the Tajik people. The lake covers 10 square km and consists of two connected lakes with dark green waters.
Tips from the guidebook
- 1. Yurt stay: There are yurts by the lake that offer food and lodging.
- 2. Transport and accommodation: From Kashgar, you can take a bus to the Khunjerab border town of Hongqilafu. The journey to Karakul Lake takes about 6 hours. Here you can enjoy the view of Muztagh Ata and experience the landscape and culture depicted in the film “Visitors on the Icy Mountain.” Local accommodation is basic, so it is recommended to take a two-hour bus ride to the Tashkurgan county seat, which is more convenient and cheaper.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Karakul Lake cost?
Admission to Karakul Lake is ¥50, as listed in the 2025 guidebook. Prices can change; check the official channel before you go.
What are the opening hours of Karakul Lake?
Karakul Lake is open 10：00—20：00.
How do I get to Karakul Lake?
Located in Tar Tajik Ethnic Township, Akto County; reachable by self-drive along National Highway G314; about 3 h by self-drive from Kashgar city
How long should I spend at Karakul Lake?
Plan on 2–3 hours for Karakul Lake.
Where is Karakul Lake?
Karakul Lake is in Kashgar, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, in the Northwest of China. Tar Tajik Ethnic Township, Akto County, Kizilsu Kyrgyz Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region
More places in Kashgar
Id Kah Mosque
The prayer hall of the Id Kah Mosque is a vast Islamic-style structure, supported by 158 carved columns outside the hall. As Xinjiang's most important mosque, it welcomes two to three thousand worshippers every day. On Friday, the weekly holy day, attendance exceeds 5,000. Each year during Eid al-Adha, tens of thousands of Muslims gather here to pray, then celebrate in the square with Sama dancing until dawn.
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Pamir Plateau
The Pamir Plateau's scenery is celebrated as one of the most beautiful in the world. Here you will find Tajik villages in Tashkurgan, Karakul Lake (one of Xinjiang's three great lakes), and a spectacular array of snow-capped peaks: Muztagh Ata (7,546 m), Kongur Peak (7,719 m), Kongur Jiubie Peak (7,595 m) and Qogir Peak (K2) (8,611 m).
Free · 2–3 days
Khunjerab Pass Border Port
The scenery here may not be as spectacular as you imagine, but as the final stop on the Pamir Plateau journey, nearly every traveller comes here to pose for a photo by the border marker.
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Dawakun Desert Scenic Area
The Dawakun Tourist Scenic Area lies in Tielimu Township, Yopurga County, 6 km from Provincial Highway 310 and 110 km from Kashgar city. It is easy to reach and is known as the “Home of China's Desert Scenery Tourism.” The Dawakun Desert Scenic Area is home to a natural flowing lake covering more than 20,000 mu (about 13 square km), surrounded by 2 million mu (about 1,333 square km) of desert, so sand and water meet, with rippling blue waves. Newly built European-style villas, yurts with a distinctive Uyghur flavour, and an ethnic cultural park dot the lakeside.
¥40; shuttle bus ¥20 · 0.5–1 day
Kashgar Grand Bazaar
The Kashgar Grand Bazaar lies by the eastern gate of Kashgar city and is the largest international trade market in Northwest China. In the past, merchant caravans from Xi'an converged here, whether they travelled the northern or southern routes along the Tianshan Mountains. With more than 2,000 years of history, the bazaar is a great place to find many distinctive local goods.
3–4 hours
Kashgar Old Town
A filming location for parts of the famous film The Kite Runner, Kashgar Old Town is the living embodiment of Kashgar's long history. Its streets and alleys crisscross and wind, making it China's only maze-like urban district with a distinctly Islamic cultural character. The houses lining the roads, built mainly of brick, earth and timber, are simple and elegant, and some have stood for over a century. Wandering its lanes is therefore the best way to understand the customs and culture of the local people.
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