Generals' Puddle at Saihanba

Generals' Puddle at Saihanba

The origin of Generals' Puddle, according to historical records and local lore, is the site where Emperor Kangxi personally led his troops to defeat the rebellious forces of Galdan from the Western Mongols. Galdan was the ruling chieftain of the Zunghar tribe in Western Mongolia. Due to the abundant resources in the Ili region where he was based, Galdan’s ambitions grew unchecked. With the malicious encouragement and support of Tsarist Russia, in addition to repeatedly invading Northern Mongolia (present-day Outer Mongolia) and Southern Mongolia (present-day southern Xinjiang), he arrogantly proclaimed his intent to seize the Yellow River as a watering trough for his horses. In 1685, Galdan led his troops to Saihanba and set up a camel formation consisting of tens of thousands of camels right here at Generals' Puddle. The Qing army’s cannons fired in unison, scattering Galdan’s camel formation, forcing him to flee in defeat. The intense vibrations altered the local geological structure, causing groundwater to surge forth and form a large puddle. Exactly how Generals' Puddle was formed is still something best explained by geologists. It is said that during the fierce battle, General Tong Guogang, Emperor Kangxi’s uncle, fought bravely and died on the battlefield, which is why the puddle came to be named—or renamed—Generals' Puddle. As for Galdan, his evil nature never changed, and several years later, during yet another confrontation with the Qing court, he met his ultimate downfall. After retreating to Ili, he discovered that his nephew had seized the khan’s throne, and the following year, he committed suicide by poison. Imagine—if you can—the bloody battlefield of those days, where warriors once cried out beneath the western wind, their heroic songs echoing to the skies. Today, it has transformed into a tourist destination covered in lush green grass and shimmering waters. Can you not feel a deep sense of emotion?

The water here is vast, surrounded by mountains on all sides, making it the perfect spot to photograph sunset. Clusters of reeds grow in the water, arranged in a way that seems almost staged for photographers. Around six o’clock each evening, a large herd of horses gallops to the lakeside to drink. As they enter the water, the splashes they create are truly spectacular. When night falls, spend the evening in a yurt by the puddle, sitting around a bonfire while enjoying the mournful sounds of the horsehead fiddle and the stirring, heroic tones of Mongolian long songs. Doesn’t that stir yet another kind of feeling? In the deep of night, as you lie in bed, savor the romantic charm of the silent grassland night, the rustling sound of the wind through the reeds will lull you to sleep. Rise early in the morning to breathe in the fresh grassland air, watch the first light of dawn over the lake, and see how the golden rays paint everything before your eyes in radiant hues.