Lake Bosten

» Korla, Xin Jiang

Lake Bosten Overview & Map Weather Transportation Information

About 57 kilometers northeast of Korla and covering an area of more than 960 square kilometers, the Lake Bosten is celebrated as the largest lake in Xinjiang and the biggest inland freshwater lake in China. Bosten is Mongolian and means "stand-up" in Chinese. There are three hills standing in the central part of the lake, hence its name. The lake is made up of a big and a small lake district and it is flat and dish shaped.

What to appreciate

The lake reflects the beauty of the southern countryside with luxuriant vegetation. Known as the Oriental Hawaii of Xinjiang, Lake Bosten is a great scenery spot along the Silk Road for its unique and beautiful lakeside scenery in the Gobi desert.

Lake Bosten is rich in aquatic life with beautiful scenery, being famous as "a bright pearl of the Oasis." The lake is fringed with large acres of reeds and an ideal place to escape the scorching heat of summer. The lake is also home to a large variety of fish which feed many birds. It is the largest fishing area of Xinjiang Province and one of the four biggest reed producing areas in China.

It became a tourist site in the late 1980s, built with wharf at A Hong Kou where you can look over the beauty of Lake Bosten, the sand sculptures of Bailu Zhou (Egret State), and the volleyball facility at Golden Sand Beach, and many other attractive scenic spots.

Entertainment

Lake Bosten is a bright pearl of the Oasis. Surfing, diving, swimming, pedalo riding, sun bathing on the sand beach and many other activities are available. After a day of fishing, you can enjoy a bountiful all-fish dinner along the lakeside.

How to get there

Take a minibus to Lake Bosten from the post office of Korla State. Several minibuses run between Korla city and Lake Bosten daily.

Attractions around » Korla, Xin Jiang

Natural Scene

• Taklamakan Desert
• Lake Bosten

Historical Site

• Loulan Ancient City
• Tiemen Pass

Cultural Site

• Lop Nur People Village

Lake Bosten Highlights

Lake & Spring in Great China

• West Lake
• Lake Kanas
• Lake Namtso
• Lake Qinghaihu
• Lake Yamdrok
• Huaqing Pool
• Crescent Spring
• Lake Qiandaohu
• Lake Xuanwuhu
• Lake Taihu
• Slender West Lake
• Lake Hongfenghu
• Lake Dianchi
• Lake Luguhu
• Heavenly Lake
• Butterfly Spring
• Lake Erhai
• Longsheng Hot Spring National Park
• Lake Bitahai
• Lake Shuduhu
• Lake Napahai
• Red Carp Pond
• Hupao Spring
• Black Dragon Pool
• Lake Karakuli
• Tianhe Pool
• Lake Dongtinghu
• Baotu Spring
• Lake Daminghu
• Yuquan Park
• Lake Bosten
• East Lake Scenic Area

Lake Bosten FAQ & Travelers's Tips

  Weather

1. What about climate in Xinjiang?
2. What is the best season to visit the Silk Road?

  Food

1. Can you introduce something about Xinjiang Cuisine?
2. Can I eat much fruit in Xinjiang?

  Shopping

1. Can I pay by credit card in the attractions of Xinjiang?

  Other Hints

1. What is Xinjiang Time?
2. What taboos need we pay attention to in Xinjiang?
3. What do we prepare for the long tours?

• What about climate in Xinjiang?

  Situated deep in the interior of Asia and not penetrated by the air currents from the oceans, the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has conspicuous continental climate, with highly changeable temperature, great difference in temperature between day and night, abundant sunshine, intense evaporation and little precipitation.

  The mean annual temperature of Xinjiang is 11.7 C - the hottest month, July, averaging about 25 C and the coldest month, January, -20 C in the north and -10 C in the south - and a mean annual precipitation of 150 mm.

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• What is the best season to visit the Silk Road?

  The months of May and October are the best time to travel Xinjiang. The summer can be searingly hot. The winter is freezing. The scenery is most beautiful during May. The accumulated winter snow on the tableland is melting. The grass is turning green. Visitors can enjoy this enchanting scenery without suffering extreme temperatures.

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• Can you introduce something about Xinjiang Cuisine?

  Xinjiang Cuisine can be called as one main style of cooking absolutely. Muslim food is the main stream of Xinjiang Cuisine, beef and mutton is the main meat of Xinjiang people. Xinjiang dishes with salt and spicy flavor are bold in style.

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• Can I eat much fruits in Xinjiang?

  Xinjiang has the reputation of "Home of Melons and Fruits," such as grapes of Turpan, melons of Hami, apples of Aksu, bergamot pear of Korla etc., which are available in different seasons at different places. But please notice that you will get diarrhea if you drink hot tea after eating some fruits.

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• Can I pay by credit card in the attractions of Xinjiang?

  No. Most attractions are far away from the cities. For the sake of the convenience, it might be good to bring some cash money along the trip.

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• What is Xinjiang Time?

  The Beijing standard time, which is eight hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (London) and 13 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time (New York), is the standard time used in China. The visitor must know though that in Xinjiang, locals often use the Xinjiang time, which is two hours behind the standard Beijing time. For example, 11:00 AM Beijing time equals 9:00 AM Xinjiang time.

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• What taboos need we pay attention to in Xinjiang?

  Xinjiang is a multiethnic region, of which the population of Uyghur is approximately one half of the whole. It is a taboo to eat pork and the flesh of animals which died of natural causes. In order not to trouble yourselves, you'd better not eat anything made of pork and talk about pig in any Muslim Restaurant.

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• What do we prepare for the long tours?

  All Xinjiang tours will last for several days, the attractions scatter here and there. So you will spend your much time in our air-conditioned coach. Besides, the landscape along the way is simplex. Please be prepared for your long Xinjiang tour. It is necessary for you to take a pair of comfortable shoes with you for you will walk a lot.

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