Ayikule (West Moon Lake) Scenic Area

　　    Ayikule (West Moon Lake) Scenic Area, situated in the southwest of Karamay City and approximately 2 kilometers from the city center, is an artificially constructed scenic tourism area primarily designed for leisure, entertainment, and sightseeing. The lake covers a maximum water surface area of 4.04 square kilometers, with a total storage capacity of 38 million cubic meters. A water outlet pipe beneath the dam allows a discharge flow rate of 10 cubic meters per second. The meandering Karamay River flows into the reservoir from its northeastern corner. The dam, standing majestically on the southeastern side of the reservoir, is 29.6 meters high, over 5,000 meters long, 30 meters wide at the base, and 6 meters wide at the top. The reservoir consists of four main structures: the dam, inlet and outlet tunnels, a central island, and a dock. The water surface of the reservoir forms a wavy polygon, with natural shores mostly featuring gently rolling hills formed during the Jurassic period. The vast waters are surrounded by boundless Gobi Desert and undulating hilly terrain. Artificially built, Ayikule not only supplies irrigation water for hundreds of thousands of acres of farmland in Karamay’s large-scale agriculture and supports aquaculture development, but also serves as an ecological shield for the city and a hub for leisure and recreation for both residents and tourists. The scenic area features uniquely shaped rock formations and Gobi rockscapes carved by millions of years of wind erosion, complementing the beautiful lakeside views and creating a breathtaking scene. The area offers a variety of water activities such as speedboats, jet skis, bumper boats, and fishing gardens, as well as recreational facilities including a children’s amusement park, a winter ski resort, “Golden Sand Beach,” and a “horse ranch.” With its diverse range of attractions catering to visitors of all ages and interests, the scenic area is an ideal destination for sightseeing and leisure holidays.