Cao Lake

Cao Lake

About 62 kilometers southeast of Lunnan Town in Luntai County lies the most exceptionally well-preserved poplar-waterland area in the Tarim River Basin to date. Home to the descendants of the ancient and simple-living Lop people, its unique folk customs have been hailed by many visitors as the “Shangri-La” in the desert.

This magical waterland was originally the site of Cao Lake Township in Luntai County, covering an area of 1,900 square kilometers, stretching 54 kilometers from east to west and 40 kilometers from north to south. Upon entering Cao Lake, one can behold scenes reminiscent of “sunset clouds flying with a lonely duck, autumn water blending with the boundless sky” and “vast sky, boundless wilderness, with cattle and sheep visible when the wind blows the grass low.” It is a classic representation of desert poplar culture and an optimal eco-tourism destination.