Ebi Lake

Ebi Lake is a saline, closed-basin lake in northwestern Xinjiang, situated within the larger arid basin landscapes of the region. The lake’s area and salinity vary seasonally and over longer periods in response to inflows and regional climate.

The shoreline and adjacent wetland areas attract waterbirds and other wildlife when water levels are sufficient, making the lake an ecological feature in an otherwise dry landscape. Human water use and climatic factors have influenced the lake’s extent and appearance over recent decades.

Geographically the lake lies in the interior of Xinjiang, distant from major coastal centers and set within steppe and semi-desert terrain. Nearby settlements are sparse; the lake is accessed via regional roads from towns in the surrounding prefecture.

• Hydrology and variability: An endorheic, often saline lake in northwestern Xinjiang whose size and salinity vary with seasonal inflows and local water use.
• Wildlife value: Important for regional birdlife and wetlands despite fluctuating water levels; conditions change with climate and upstream water management.