Basic Profile
Barkol Lake, historically recorded as Pulei Sea in the Han Dynasty, is a national 4A-level scenic spot located 18 km northwest of Barkol Kazakh Autonomous County, Hami City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, resting on the northern piedmont of the Eastern Tianshan Mountains and embedded in the vast Barkol Grassland.
Geographic coordinates: 43°38′35″N, 92°48′50″E
Altitude: 1,585 meters above sea level
Shape & size: Oval closed inland salt lake, stretching 20 km from north to south and 9–12 km from east to west; current water area is around 113 km², with an average water depth of only 0.8 meters (maximum depth 1.5 m)
Hydrology: Supplied by mountain meltwater, surrounding seasonal streams and underground springs; high mineralization (7–8g/L), bitter and undrinkable water with rich mirabilite and natural salt resources
Geological & Ecological Features
Formed by fault basin movements in the Quaternary Period, Barkol Lake experienced drastic area shrinkage through geological evolution: its water surface once reached 800 km² in the late Pleistocene epoch, gradually contracting to the present scale alongside regional aridification.
The lake presents a striking contrasting landscape: the west bank is covered with pure white salt flats, while the east bank is blanketed with wetland marshes, dense reeds and luxuriant alpine meadows. The wetland zone serves as a critical stopover on the Central Asian migratory bird route, sheltering grey cranes, egrets, bar-headed geese, ruddy shelducks and over 20 kinds of waterfowl. Artemia (brine shrimp), locally named "golden sand" for its golden eggs, lives widely in the lake water and is high-quality biological feed for aquaculture industries. The lake system regulates local basin climate, stabilizes grassland groundwater and maintains the ecological balance of Barkol Grassland.
Historical & Cultural Value
Pulei Sea was a vital military fortress and cultural hub on the Northern Route of the Ancient Silk Road. In the Han Dynasty, the Pulei Kingdom dwelled around the lake, and multiple military campaigns against nomadic tribes happened here; relics of Han bronze wares and Tang coins have been unearthed along the lakeshore, recording the long-term communication between central China and Western Regions civilizations.
Known as Barkol Nor (meaning Tiger Lake in Mongolian) in the Yuan Dynasty, the lake carries profound Kazakh nomadic culture today. Local Kazakh herdsmen maintain traditional grazing lifestyles beside the lake, holding annual Aken Ballad Festivals, horse racing and folk bonfire activities on the grassland. A touching local legend depicts the lake as tears gathered from a lovesick Kazakh maiden, earning it the romantic alias "Tear Lake" among locals.
Tourism Highlights & Landscape Views
Color-changing lake scenery: Azure blue water matches snow-capped Tianshan peaks in summer; salt crystals tint the lake pale pink in autumn; a solid silver ice sheet covers the whole lake in winter, forming an ice mirror reflecting mountain silhouettes.
Mirage spectacle: The temperature difference between lake water and air often generates gorgeous mirages above mountains and the lake surface, known as the classic view mountains shrouded in blurred mirage.
Grassland-lake composite view: Grazing cattle, sheep and scattered Kazakh yurts compose authentic steppe pastoral scenes against the lake backdrop.
Recreational facilities: Lakeside wooden boardwalks, viewing platforms, ring-lake roads and camel riding experiences are available for visitors.
Practical Travel Information
Best visiting period: May to October (warm climate, flourishing grass and clear lake view); June–August is ideal for summer escape (average summer temperature ~20°C)
Opening hours: 08:30 – 18:00 all year round
Admission fee: Free entry; fees apply for camping, camel riding and other paid services
Suggested visiting duration: Half a day to one full day
Transport: Self-driving is the most convenient way; charter cars are available from Barkol county downtown
Tourism consultation hotline: 0902-6826677 (Barkol County Tourism Bureau)
Overall Evaluation
Combining alpine salt lake landform, wetland ecology, primitive grassland scenery and ancient Silk Road history, Barkol Lake (Pulei Sea) is a quiet, less-commercialized natural resort. It perfectly integrates the grand ruggedness of western wilderness and the gentle softness of lake water, being a representative landscape treasure of eastern Xinjiang.
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