Altay, Xinjiang

The Gobi's Sapphire Sea: Winter Fishing and Yadan Wonders at Ulungur Lake

📸Photography 🏕️Camping 🚙Road Trip 🛤️Silk Road(丝绸之路)

Altitude

480m

Best Time

☀️ 🍂

Ticket

Free

ℹ️

About This Attraction

Ulungur Lake, often referred to as the "Sea of the Gobi," is a vast and miraculous body of water located in Fuhai County, Altay Prefecture, Xinjiang. Sitting at an altitude of approximately 468 meters in the depression north of the Junggar Basin, this lake defies the arid expectations of the region. It is one of China's top ten inland freshwater lakes, covering a total area of about 1,000 square kilometers (including both the main lake and the adjacent Jili Lake). For travelers traversing the stark landscapes of the Altay region, the sudden appearance of this expansive, sapphire-blue water body against the backdrop of desert sands and distant mountains is nothing short of a visual shock.

The lake system is actually composed of two connected bodies of water: the larger Buluntuo Hai (the "Big Sea") and the smaller, reed-filled Jili Lake (the "Small Sea"), linked by the 7-kilometer Kuyierga River. This unique geography creates a diverse ecosystem. While the main lake offers a boundless, ocean-like horizon ideal for swimming and motorized water sports, Jili Lake serves as a serene wetland sanctuary. It is often called the "Swan Lake" of the region, where thousands of migratory birds, including white swans and egrets, gather among the reeds, creating a vibrant ecological paradise,.

One of the most spectacular features of Ulungur Lake is the "Water Demon City" (Haishang Mogui Cheng) located on the eastern shore. Here, wind-eroded Yadan landforms—colorful cliffs of red, yellow, and brown—rise directly from the water's edge. This rare combination of water and desert geology creates a surreal landscape that looks like a medieval castle floating on the sea, especially stunning during sunset when the cliffs glow with intense colors against the darkening water,.

Culturally, Ulungur Lake is famous for its Winter Fishing Festival (Dongbu), a tradition that dates back millennia and is one of the most significant winter events in Northern Xinjiang. Every January, when the lake is frozen solid with ice up to a meter thick, local fishermen employ ancient methods to cast massive nets under the ice. The "Grand Net" ceremony is a spectacle of strength and heritage, often pulling in tons of cold-water fish like bream and pike in a single haul. This event turns the frozen lake into a carnival of snowmobiles, horse-drawn sleighs, and fish markets, celebrating the "harvest of the Gobi",,.

Whether you are relaxing on the "Golden Coast" (Silver Sand Beach) in the heat of summer, watching the sunset turn the Yadan cliffs into gold, or witnessing the raw power of the winter ice harvest, Ulungur Lake offers a profound connection between the resilience of life and the grandeur of nature.

✨ Why Visit Ulungur Lake

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The Winter Fishing Festival

Witness the spectacular "Winter Net" tradition in January, where massive nets are pulled from beneath the thick ice, revealing tons of dancing fish in a festival celebrating ancient fishing culture.

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Water Demon City

Explore the rare "Yadan over Water" landscape where colorful, wind-eroded cliffs rise directly from the lake, resembling a floating castle, particularly stunning at sunset.

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The Golden Coast

Relax on the "Silver Sand Beach," a developed seaside-style resort area offering swimming, motorboating, and sunbathing on the edge of the Gobi Desert.

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Jili Lake Wetlands

Visit the "Small Sea" to see a thriving wetland ecosystem, known as a paradise for birdwatchers where swans and other migratory birds nest among the reeds.

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Cold-Water Fish Feast

Indulge in the famous Fuhai cold-water fish banquet, featuring local specialties like the "One Fish, Five Ways" feast, renowned throughout Xinjiang for its freshness and flavor.

Location & Nearby

📍 Altay, Xinjiang • 🏔️ 480m elevation

Frequently Asked Questions - Ulungur Lake Travel Guide

Where is Ulungur Lake located?

It is located in Fuhai County, Altay Prefecture, Xinjiang, situated in the Junggar Basin's northern edge.

What is the best time to visit? For summer activities like swimming and birdwatching, June to September is ideal. For the spectacular Winter Fishing Festival, visit in January or mid-winter.

Is it a saltwater or freshwater lake? Ulungur Lake is a freshwater lake, making it a vital habitat for fish and birds in this arid region.

What is the "Water Demon City"? It is a scenic area on the lake's shore featuring Yadan landforms (wind-eroded hills) that look like castles. The combination of these colorful hills and the blue water is unique to this spot,.

Can I eat fish there? Yes, the lake is famous for its cold-water fish. Tasting the local fish banquet is a must-do activity for visitors.

Why do you include Chinese characters and Pinyin in the descriptions for Ulungur Lake?

We provide the original Chinese names and Pinyin to make your travel smoother. Since English is rarely spoken in remote parts of Western China, you can easily show these Chinese names to local taxi drivers, hotel staff, or police when asking for help, or copy-paste them directly into Chinese navigation apps like Amap (高德地图) or Baidu Maps.