Yaxidaxi Lake

Yaxidaxi Lake

Yaxidaxi Lake is located 62 kilometers southeast of Luntai County. For thousands of years, during flood seasons, the Tarim River has overflowed with large amounts of water, forming adjacent lakes of various sizes in the desert. These lakes nurture vast areas of drought-resistant poplars and tamarisks. In spring, the area is shaded by green trees, while in autumn, the poplars blaze with golden hues. Occasionally, one or two Lop people can be seen fishing in the lake—it is a little-known, secluded “paradise on earth.”

Yaxidaxi Lake is a poem, a natural painting, a beautiful and enchanting paradise. Strolling along both sides of the lake, you’ll see rippling waters, leaping fish, chirping wild ducks, and flying cormorants. The ancient Tarim River nourishes poplars that have stood for millennia. It shatters your arrogance and pierces through your vanity. The area is home to the descendants of the Lop people, who are known for their simple and ancient way of life. Their unique folk customs have led many visitors to call this place the “Shangri-La of the desert.”