Basic Overview
Huancai Lake, also named Tolekule Lake (Turkule) and Yiwu Salt Pond, sits 2 kilometres north of Yanchi Town Government, Yiwu County, Hami City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Its Uyghur name Turkule means “the tranquil lake”. As a closed inland evaporative salt lake fed solely by underground springs with no inflowing or outflowing rivers, it covers a water area of less than 30 km² at an altitude of 1,896 metres above sea level马蜂窝. The lake stores 3.78 million tons of salt and mirabilite, forming transparent, bitter alkaline saltwater with no unpleasant odour. Admission to the scenic spot is free of charge, open to visitors all day roundTrip.com.
Magical Color-changing Mechanism – the Natural Weather Forecasting Lake
The lake earns the name “Huancai (Magic Colour)” for its phenomenal colour shifts responding to sunlight, wind speed, temperature and weather conditions, hence locally honoured as a natural weather station by local herdsmen:
Sunny weather: the lake presents clear sapphire blue just like ocean water;
Wind picking up: the water surface turns soft rose pink;
Before rainfall or cloudy days: the lake fades into mysterious purple;
Sunset hours: reflected by sunset glow, the water glows reddish green with gorgeous halos抖音百科.
The core cause of colour variation is Dunaliella salina, a type of salt-resistant algae thriving in the hypersaline water body. To adapt to harsh high-salinity surroundings, the algae synthesizes haematochrome inside its pigment bodies. Variations in ambient temperature and light intensity alter pigment concentration, bringing the lake dynamic colour changes throughout the day and across seasons.
Natural Ecology & Health Value
Surrounded by alpine meadows and backed by rolling East Tianshan Mountains, the lake forms an integrated landscape of snow-capped peaks, green wetlands and colourful salt water. Wild horses, yellow sheep and various halophytes inhabit the lakeside wetland ecosystem, forming a primitive pastoral scenery.
Rich mineral substances in the lake water and lake mud deliver practical health benefits: bathing in the salt water helps sterilize skin and relieves rheumatoid arthritis, while the black lake mud is a natural raw material for facial care and beauty treatment
Tourism Guide
Best Visiting Period: June to September (summer), when algae activity reaches its peak with the most vivid lake colours and flourishing shore grasslands;
Transport: 41 kilometres away from downtown Yiwu County, a 35-minute self-drive trip; accessible via National Highway G7 and Provincial Highway S249 known as “Mini Duku Highway” across East Tianshan MountainsTrip.com;
Tips: Prepare strong sunscreen and windproof clothes due to strong valley winds; aerial photography with drones captures the layered colour gradient of the lake perfectly.
Short Version (for tour guide oral explanation)
Huancai Lake is a famous colour-changing salt lake in Yiwu, Hami. Driven by special salt algae, its water switches among blue, pink, purple and red following weather changes, known as the “weather lake” by local nomads. Framed by Tianshan snow peaks and grasslands, this free open scenic spot is a top photography destination along the eastern Xinjiang self-driving route.
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