Barkol Lake
Lake Large saline lake in Xinjiang, China
In Xinjiang’s Barkol County, Barkol Lake lies amid steppe and low hills; visitors come for migratory birds, pastoral landscapes, horseback riding and local nomadic culture.
Barkol Lake is a natural lake in Barkol County in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China. It lies within the steppe and mountain-foothill landscape of eastern Xinjiang.
The lake and its surrounding grasslands are used historically by local herding communities and provide habitat for waterbirds and other wildlife. The area is valued for its open scenery and seasonal bird concentrations.
Barkol Lake is a longstanding natural feature in the Barkol area and forms part of the local ecological and pastoral landscape.
Located in eastern Xinjiang on the northern foothills of the Tian Shan range, the lake sits within Barkol County and is accessible from the county seat and regional roads.
- Birdlife: Seasonal use by migratory waterbirds makes the lake of interest to birdwatchers, especially during spring and autumn migration periods.
How to Get to Barkol Lake #
Reachable by road from Hami (≈200-300 km depending on route) or Barkol County town. Long-distance buses and hired vehicles are the usual means; roads are rural and travel times can be long. A 4x4 is useful in adverse conditions.
Tips for Visiting Barkol Lake #
- Visit early morning for mirror-still water and better birdwatching.
- Bring warm layers even in summer-the lake sits at altitude and winds pick up suddenly.
- Hire a local guide if exploring the surrounding steppe; roads can be confusing and cell service patchy.
Best Time to Visit Barkol Lake #
Summer and early autumn are the best windows for travel; avoid winter due to heavy cold and snow.
Weather & Climate near Barkol Lake #
Barkol Lake's climate is classified as Cold Desert - Cold Desert climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -21°C to 25°C. Very dry conditions with minimal rainfall with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is the coldest month with highs of -10°C and lows of -21°C. The driest month with just 2 mm and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is freezing with highs of -6°C and lows of -18°C. The driest month with just 2 mm and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -9°C. Almost no rain and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 1°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 8°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (31 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 25°C and lows of 14°C. The wettest month with 34 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 13°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 7°C. Light rainfall.
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October
October is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of -1°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.
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November
November is freezing with highs of 0°C and lows of -10°C. Almost no rain.
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December
December is freezing with highs of -7°C and lows of -17°C. Almost no rain and partly cloudy skies.
