Bosten Lake Scenic Area is located in Bosten Lake Township, Bohu County, Bayingolin Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Bosten Lake is situated in the southern part of the Tianshan Mountains in Xinjiang and the southeastern part of the Yanqi Basin, 14 kilometers away from Bohu County Seat and 24 kilometers away from Yanqi County Seat.
The scenic area was rated as a national 5A-level tourist scenic area in May 2014 and was included in the "13th Five-Year Plan" National Heritage List in 2016. The lake area is 1,646 square kilometers, making it the largest lake in Xinjiang and the largest inland freshwater discharge lake in China. Its landforms belong to three geomorphic regions, namely the Tianshan Mountains, the eastern part of the Tarim Basin, and the Kunlun Mountains and Altun Mountains. The terrain is characterized by higher surroundings and a lower middle part. Within the lake area, there are terrains such as grasslands, mountains, basins, lakes, and gobi deserts.
Bosten Lake has abundant sunlight, heat, and water sources, with a rich variety of flora and fauna. There are approximately 113 species of phytoplankton, 20 species of aquatic plants, 147 species of zooplankton, 7 species of benthic animals, and 198 species of birds. The lake has about 350 square kilometers of reed marshes and about 53 square kilometers of wild water lilies, making it one of the four major reed areas in the country and the largest wild water lily base in the country.
Historical Culture
Bosten Lake was anciently known as the "Western Sea", "Dunhong Pu", "Yanqi Near Sea", "Fish Sea", etc., and was officially named Bosten Lake in the middle of the Qing Dynasty. In the second year of Shenjue Reign of Emperor Xuan of the Western Han Dynasty, it was under the jurisdiction of the Western Regions Protectorate of the Han Dynasty; in the third year of Yongyuan Reign of Emperor He of the Eastern Han Dynasty, Qiuci returned to the Han Dynasty, and the Western Regions Protectorate of the Han Dynasty was re-established, and Yanqi became part of the Qiuci Kingdom; in the first year of Xiankang Reign of Emperor Cheng of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, Yanqi began to establish prefectures and counties, and Bohu was under its jurisdiction; in the 22nd year of Zhenguan Reign of the Tang Dynasty, the Yanqi Military Governor's Office was established.
In the Yuan Dynasty, Bohu belonged to the Chagatai Khanate; in the Ming Dynasty, Bohu was under the jurisdiction of the Hami Protectorate; in the 36th year of the Qianlong Reign of the Qing Dynasty, the Mongolian Tuerget and Heshuote tribes, which had been nomadic in the basin of the Eji River (now the Volga River) in Russia, returned to their motherland. The three banners of the Middle Road Heshuote were resettled by the Qing government in the middle and lower reaches of the Kaidu River Plain and the area around Bosten Lake for grazing.
During the period of the Republic of China, the Bohu area was successively under the jurisdiction of the Yanqi Administrative Office, the Hoxud Bureau of Administration, and Hoxud County. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, the Bohu area was under the jurisdiction of Hoxud County. In 1971, Bohu County was officially established, and the Bosten Lake Scenic Area has been continuously developed and constructed since then.
Main Attractions
Dahekou (Xihai Fishing Village)
It is located at the water inlet of the large lake on the south side of Bosten Lake, 25 kilometers away from the South Xinjiang Railway, 22 kilometers away from National Highway 314, and 12 kilometers away from Bohu County Seat. The scenic area is laid out in a "gourd-shaped" structure, including attractions such as the First Pot of Xihai, the Water Stage, the Xihai Corridor, the Wetland Wooden Plank Road, the Wanghaiting Wharf, the Xihai Dragon Palace Water World, and the Mongolian Camp. Among them, the First Pot of Xihai is made of metals such as manganese, iron, and brass with a thickness of 10 millimeters. The diameter of the pot bottom is 4 meters, the height is 0.856 meters, the weight is 3,000 kilograms, and the volume is 10 cubic meters, which is a symbol of the fish culture and water culture of Bosten. The Water Stage is the place where the opening and closing ceremonies are held during major festivals. There is a huge semi-circular arch nearly 50 meters high on the stage. The Xihai Corridor is 400 meters long and 7 meters wide, and the ceiling is built with reed curtains woven from reeds. The Wetland Wooden Plank Road leads directly to the depths of the reeds, where you can see the reed clusters, mandarin ducks, swans, etc. of Dahekou. Wanghaiting is the largest inland fishing port wharf in the five northwestern provinces, mainly featuring sea views and taking speedboats, yachts, and other cruise ships. The Xihai Dragon Palace Water World covers an area of about 0.3 square kilometers, with themed areas such as the Underwater Dragon Palace and the Water World of Journey to the West, and has more than 30 entertainment projects. The Mongolian Camp consists of nine yurts, one large and eight small, and has entertainment projects with Mongolian ethnic customs such as horseback riding and archery.
Lianhua Lake
It is located in the southwestern part of Bosten Lake and is named after the abundance of lotus flowers. It is one of the small interconnected lakes and marshes in the western part of Bosten Lake. It is also the largest natural water lily growth area in China and the source of the Peacock River. It is 25 kilometers away from Korla City, with a lake area of 48 square kilometers. The reeds in the lake are dense, the lake water is clear, the central water city of the lake is open, and the water depth is 1.5-1.7 meters. In summer and autumn, animals such as wild ducks, geese, and herons can be seen. There are water restaurants and water platforms built here, and there are many water vacation and leisure activities and sports projects such as yachts and speedboats. The golden season for visiting is from April to October.
Ahongkou
It is located in the southwest corner of Bosten Lake, on the southeast side of Lianhua Lake, 37 kilometers away from Korla City. Reed marshes and wild water lilies are distributed in the scenic area. The main attractions and entertainment facilities include the Lotus Sea World, the Water Platform, water skis, couple boats, rubber boats, and skydiving umbrellas.
Yangshuizhan
It is located in the large lake area in the southern part of Bosten Lake. You can feel its unique scenery on-site during the visit for specific information.
Baizhou
It is also located in the large lake area in the southern part of Bosten Lake. It is a good place to watch birds, allowing tourists to get close to nature and feel the vitality and vigor of nature.
Jinshatan
It is located in the large lake area in the northeastern part of Bosten Lake. It has high-quality beach resources and is a good place for leisure vacations and enjoying the sun and the beach. Tourists can carry out various entertainment activities such as beach bathing and water sports here.
Delicacies
Charm of Bosten Lake Fish
Using fresh fish from Bosten Lake as raw materials, it is cooked in various ways such as steaming, braising in soy sauce, and sweet and sour. It retains the delicious taste of the fish, with tender meat and rich nutrition.
Six Ways to Eat One Fish
Through different cooking methods, one fish is made into six dishes with different flavors, including fish head soup, braised fish body, fried fish tail, etc., fully demonstrating the various ways to eat fish and its unique flavors.
Homemade Farmhouse Free-Range Chicken
Free-range chickens raised by local farmers are selected. The meat is firm and tastes delicious. It is usually cooked by stewing, stir-frying, etc., and is paired with local vegetables and seasonings, with a rich and mellow taste and a strong farmhouse flavor.
Skillful Fish Balls
Made from fresh fish meat, after repeated beating, the fish balls have a very elastic texture. Whether it is used in soup or hot pot, it is very delicious, with a smooth taste and a rich fish flavor.
Handmade Steamed Buns
Made by local traditional handicraft, using high-quality flour, through multiple processes such as fermentation and kneading, the steamed buns have a soft texture and a rich wheat aroma. They can be eaten with various dishes and are one of the local characteristic staple foods.
Dried Vegetables
Local vegetables such as cowpeas, eggplants, and radishes are sun-dried to make dried vegetables, which are convenient for storage and consumption. Dried vegetables can be used for stewing meat, stir-frying, etc., absorbing the soup of meat and other ingredients, with a strong taste and a unique flavor.
Dairy Products
Including milk, yogurt, cheese, etc. The milk source comes from local high-quality pastures. The dairy products have a pure taste and rich nutrition. They are a good choice for tourists to taste local characteristic delicacies, which can not only quench their thirst but also replenish energy.
Organic Fish Products
Products such as dried fish and fish cans made from the organic fish of Bosten Lake are convenient for tourists to carry and store. You can taste the deliciousness of Bosten Lake fish at any time, and they have a relatively long shelf life.
Pepper Products
Local peppers are processed into products such as chili sauce and chili powder, with a strong spicy taste and a full aroma. They can be used as seasonings to match various dishes, or directly spread on steamed buns to increase appetite.
Air-Dried Fish and Air-Dried Vegetables
Made by marinating and air-drying fish and vegetables, they have a unique flavor, with a firm texture and a rich taste. They are characteristic delicacies in winter in the local area and can also be taken home as tourist souvenirs.
Admission Tickets
Bosten Lake is free to enter, but each attraction requires a fee.
Dahekou: 40 yuan
Lianhai World: 16 yuan
Peacock Beach Water Park Beach: 50 yuan
Other entertainment items in the scenic area require additional fees.
You can search for the official WeChat public account of the scenic area, "博斯腾湖", to get the latest updates.
Opening Hours
Summer: 10:00 - 20:00
Winter: 10:00 - 19:30
You can get the latest updates on the official WeChat public account of the scenic area.
Itinerary for Visiting
One-day itinerary: Dahekou Scenic Area (experience the First Pot of Xihai, watch the performance on the Water Stage, and play in the Xihai Dragon Palace Water World) → Lianhua Lake Scenic Area (admire the beautiful scenery of lotus flowers and take a cruise).
Two-day itinerary: On the first day, Dahekou Scenic Area (visit the Xihai Corridor and the Wetland Wooden Plank Road in the morning, and experience the ethnic customs in the Mongolian Camp in the afternoon) → Ahongkou Scenic Area (enjoy the sunset scenery of the Lotus Sea World in the evening); on the second day, Lianhua Lake Scenic Area (carry out water sports such as water skiing and water paragliding in the morning) → Jinshatan Scenic Area (enjoy the sun and the beach and play beach volleyball, etc. in the afternoon).
Transportation
- By plane: You can first arrive at Korla Airport, and then take a car from Korla to Bosten Lake Scenic Area. The driving time is about 1.5 to 2 hours.
- By train: You can take a train to Yanqi Station or Korla Station, and then transfer to a car to the scenic area. The driving time from Yanqi Station to the scenic area is about half an hour, and the driving time from Korla Station to the scenic area is about 1 hour.
- By bus: There are shuttle buses from various cities in Bayingolin Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture to Bohu County. After arriving in Bohu County, you can take a local taxi or a tourist shuttle bus to each attraction in Bosten Lake Scenic Area.
- By self-driving: Starting from Urumqi, you can drive along the Lianhuo Expressway and the Turpan-Hotan Expressway, and then transfer to National Highway 218 to reach Bosten Lake Scenic Area. The whole journey is about more than 400 kilometers, and the driving time is about 5 hours.
Must-visit Attractions
- Dahekou Scenic Area: Here, there is the First Pot of Xihai, a symbol of the unique fish culture and water culture, as well as wonderful performances on the Water Stage and a variety of entertainment projects in the Xihai Dragon Palace Water World, allowing tourists to fully feel the charm of Bosten Lake.
- Lianhua Lake Scenic Area: As the largest natural water lily growth area in China, when the lotus flowers are in full bloom in summer, the scenery is extremely beautiful. Tourists can take a boat and shuttle through the lotus flowers, enjoying the fresh and natural atmosphere and experiencing various water sports projects.
- Ahongkou Scenic Area: Reed marshes and wild water lilies are all over the scenic area, and the Lotus Sea World is particularly unique. Tourists can stroll on the water platform, admire the unique wetland scenery, and feel the tranquility and beauty of nature.
Suggestions for Visiting
- When visiting Bosten Lake Scenic Area in summer, pay attention to taking sun protection measures and carry items such as sunglasses, sunscreen, and sun hats, because the local sunlight is strong and the ultraviolet radiation is relatively strong.
- If you want to experience water sports projects, it is recommended to learn about the safety precautions of the projects in advance and carry out the activities under the guidance of professionals to ensure your own safety.
- There are many mosquitoes in the scenic area, especially in the reed marshes and lakeside areas. You can carry anti-mosquito drugs such as mosquito repellent lotion and toilet water.
- When visiting the scenic area in winter, the lake surface may freeze. Pay attention to safety when walking or moving on the ice to avoid accidents caused by the ice breaking.
- You can learn about the performance times and activity arrangements of the scenic area in advance and plan your itinerary reasonably to better enjoy wonderful programs such as the performances on the Water Stage.
Notes
- Take good care of the environment of the scenic area. Do not spit or litter everywhere, and keep the scenic area clean and tidy.
- When taking cruise ships, speedboats, and other water transportation tools, follow the instructions of the staff, wear life jackets, and ensure the safety of navigation.
- Respect the local customs and religious beliefs, especially when contacting ethnic minorities or visiting related places, to avoid unnecessary troubles caused by cultural differences.
- The water depth in some areas of the scenic area is relatively deep. It is forbidden to swim in the water without permission to avoid danger.
- When driving in the scenic area, abide by the traffic rules, pay attention to the speed limit signs, and ensure the safety of driving, especially in areas where the roads in the scenic area are narrow or there are many curves.