Fish Lake

Fish Lake

Introduction: Fish Lake is located in Minfeng County on the southern edge of the Taklamakan Desert. In Uyghur, it is called Bilekelike, meaning "a place with fish." It is a large lake formed by overflow depressions at the edge of an alluvial fan, with stable water levels and minimal year-to-year variation. The lake stretches in a crescent shape from northwest to southeast.

The lake is made up of five smaller lakes aligned from north to south, appearing either connected or separate. Each of the five lakes is distinct in shape. The largest is the Fourth Lake, which is elongated, stretching over 10 kilometers in length, with its southern end hugging National Highway 315 as it extends northward into the desert. Among the five lakes, the most beautiful is the Second Lake, also considered the best spot for fishing. Notably, there is a sweet-water spring nearby, known for its fresh and delicious water. Legend has it that Xuanzang, the Tang Dynasty monk who journeyed to the West to obtain Buddhist scriptures, once drank from this sweet-water spring when he passed through the area.

Fish Lake is like a string of sapphire gems nestled in the embrace of the desert. The water is crystal clear, teeming with fish, while wild ducks, waterfowl, and geese swim on the surface. Herds of cattle and sheep graze along the shore, creating a tranquil and picturesque landscape that stirs the imagination.

Xinjiang Hotan