Aletai Salt Lake

Aletai Salt Lake

The salt lake is located in Alahake Township, Aletai City, and its exact time of formation is unknown. The lake covers an area of approximately 3,600 acres and is irregularly elliptical, slightly longer from east to west and slightly narrower from north to south. Its water primarily comes from underground sources, supplemented by meltwater from surrounding areas. In summer, the average depth of the lake ranges between 50–200 centimeters. By autumn, during the salt harvesting season (September 15 to November 15), the lake essentially dries up. After the salt collection period, the water level returns to normal, and the lake does not freeze over in winter. The lake water contains more than ten types of minerals, including iron, sodium, potassium, silicon, calcium, copper, carbonates, silicates, fluorides, and bromides. Alahake Salt Lake has floating capabilities. Research indicates that floating in salty water is another therapeutic wellness method following traditional acupuncture and yoga. It can help relax both body and mind, quickly relieve fatigue, and also offers significant health benefits such as calming effects, lowering blood lipids, and aiding in weight loss. According to tests by American scientists, one hour of floating is equivalent to four hours of sleep and can also reduce mental and physical tension. People who float regularly tend to smoke half as many cigarettes per day and reduce their alcohol intake by 45%.

The area around the salt lake boasts beautiful scenery, featuring rare native vegetation such as salt birch, around 3,000 acres of the scarce Apocynum pictum, over 1,000 acres of rare medicinal herbs like licorice, as well as large expanses of various other types of grassland vegetation. It is also home to numerous waterfowl. The surrounding area is inhabited by local herders who graze a large number of livestock (cattle, horses, sheep, etc.) near the lake, making it highly valuable for development.