Whale Lake

Whale Lake

In the heart of the Kunlun Mountains southeast of Ruoqiang County lies a magical lake. Stretching 37 kilometers from east to west and 7.6 kilometers from north to south, it covers an area of 260 square kilometers. With a surface elevation of 4,708 meters and depths ranging from 1 to 10 meters, the lake shimmers alongside snow-capped peaks and glaciers. Its shape resembles that of a giant, reclining whale lying on its side with its head to the east and tail to the west—hence the name “Whale Lake.” One-seventh of the way along the eastern section, a natural gravel bar about 7.5 kilometers long divides the lake into eastern and western parts. This gravel bar is approximately 200 meters wide and rises 2–4 meters above the water surface, featuring a gap through which water can flow between the two sides. The eastern half, known as the “fish head,” receives abundant freshwater from the Yulang River. Every summer, countless birds such as brown-headed gulls and ruddy shelducks gather here to feed and breed. The western half, dubbed the “fish body,” lacks freshwater input and, over time, has become highly saline due to intense evaporation, with salt content nearly reaching saturation—a lifeless, dead lake. Due to the stark difference in water quality, the lake naturally contrasts with lively “birds singing and dancing” in the east and a “silent expanse” in the west, leading locals to also call Whale Lake the “Yin-Yang Lake.”