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Yaohua2000 CC BY-SA 4.0 Wikimedia Commons

Ebi Lake

Lake

Ebi Lake in northern Xinjiang is a saline basin with shifting shorelines; birdlife and wide, empty flats interest naturalists and landscape photographers.

Ebi Lake ÜrümqiKashgarKaramayAksu CityAltay CityYarkant CountyKorlaYizhou District, HamiEbi Lake
In this guide

Ebi Lake essentials

Country: China
Driest months: Dec-Feb
Pay in: Yuan Renminbi (¥)
Language: Chinese
Emergency: 110

Ebi Lake at a Glance

About 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.
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Ebi Lake

The best time to visit Ebi Lake is late spring through early autumn (May-September) when access is easiest and conditions are milder.

Late spring-summer
May-September · 15-30 °C
Warmest and most accessible period around the lake with reduced risk of road closures-best for land- and wildlife viewing.
Autumn-early winter
October-November · -5-15 °C
Cooling temperatures and changing conditions; access can become more difficult as temperatures drop.
Winter
December-March · -20-5 °C
Very cold with potential freezing, strong winds and limited accessibility in the region during the coldest months.

Weather & Climate near Ebi Lake

Climate

Ebi Lake's climate is classified as Cold Desert - Cold Desert climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -17°C to 32°C. Very dry conditions with minimal rainfall.

Air Quality: AQI 77 Moderate
Best Time to Visit
AugustSeptemberJune
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
43°
Warmest Month
-25°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Poor -17° - -8° -16° 5 mm overcast 66% 1.5 m/s 0.2 low 9.1h
February Poor -15° - -5° -14° 5 mm overcast 61% 1.8 m/s 0.4 low 10.3h
March Acceptable -4° - 4° -3° 9 mm overcast 48% 2.6 m/s 0.7 moderate 11.8h
April Very Good 8° - 18° 13° 15 mm partly cloudy 42% 3.3 m/s 1.2 high 13.3h
May Excellent 14° - 24° 19° 22 mm partly cloudy 35% 3.3 m/s 1.7 very high 14.6h
June Ideal 18° - 30° 24° 23 mm partly cloudy 35% 3.0 m/s 1.9 very high 15.3h
July Excellent 20° - 32° 26° 20 mm partly cloudy 34% 2.8 m/s 1.9 very high 15.0h
August Ideal 18° - 31° 25° 14 mm some cloud 33% 2.7 m/s 1.7 very high 13.8h
September Ideal 13° - 25° 19° 13 mm some cloud 35% 2.6 m/s 1.1 high 12.4h
October Very Good 6° - 15° 10° 12 mm partly cloudy 44% 2.5 m/s 0.6 moderate 10.8h
November Acceptable -2° - 4° -1° 8 mm partly cloudy 54% 2.0 m/s 0.2 low 9.5h
December Poor -10° - -4° -10° 6 mm overcast 62% 1.6 m/s 0.1 low 8.7h