Balikun Lake Scenic Area is located 18 kilometers northwest of Balikun Kazakh Autonomous County, Hami City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is a national 4A-level tourist attraction, named after Balikun Lake. The lake is about 12 kilometers wide from east to west and 20 kilometers long from north to south, with a water area of about 113 square kilometers, making it the largest inland lake in the East Tianshan Mountains.
The scenic area is characterized by alpine lake ecological landscapes, surrounded by snow-capped mountains and bordered by vast grasslands. In summer, the lake and mountain scenery blend harmoniously, while in winter, the frozen lake surface resembles a silver mirror, making it a tourist destination integrating natural sightseeing, folk custom experience, and ecological leisure. The scenic area is equipped with facilities such as observation decks, wooden boardwalks, and a folk culture village, covering a total area of about 300 square kilometers, with a core tourist area of about 20 square kilometers.
History and Culture
Historically known as "Puleihai," Balikun Lake was an important node on the northern route of the ancient Silk Road. Since the Han Dynasty, it has been a meeting point between the Central Plains dynasties and nomadic peoples in the Western Regions. Cultural relics such as Han Dynasty bronze wares and Tang Dynasty coins have been unearthed by the lake, witnessing the historical exchange of cultures between the East and the West.
According to local Kazakh folklore, Balikun Lake was formed by the tears of a girl missing her lover, hence it is also known as the "Lake of Tears." Every summer, surrounding herders hold folk activities like "Aken Singing Gatherings" by the lake, inheriting the unique charm of grassland culture.
In the Qing Dynasty, military stations and post stations were established by the lake. The existing ancient city ruins and beacon tower remains reflect the historical scene of garrison and farmland reclamation at that time. In 2001, the Balikun Ancient City Ruins were listed as a National Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit.
Main Attractions
Main Lake of Balikun Lake
The core attraction of the scenic area, the lake has a high salinity, rich in brine shrimp and glauber's salt. A 500-meter-long wooden boardwalk extends from the lake shore to the center, allowing visitors to enjoy the lake view up close. Large areas of wetlands are distributed along the shore, serving as a paradise for birds, with more than 20 species of waterbirds such as egrets and grey cranes commonly seen.
Bird Watching Platform
A three-story steel structure observation deck located on the west bank of the lake, about 15 meters high, offering a panoramic view of the entire lake and wetland landscape. During the migratory seasons of April-May and September-October, it is the best spot for bird watching enthusiasts, with up to tens of thousands of migratory birds gathering here at peak times.
Steppe Stone Statues
Three Tang Dynasty steppe stone statues stand on the grassland by the lake, each about 2.5 meters high, carved from a single piece of rock. With vivid facial expressions and nomadic costumes, they are important physical materials for studying ancient Turkic culture and are currently protected by fences.
Kazakh Folk Culture Village
A 30-mu folk experience area with 20 traditional Kazakh yurts. Visitors can participate in folk activities such as milking and felt rolling, and taste Kazakh cuisine. Every night, bonfire parties and ethnic song and dance performances are held here.
Beacon Tower Ruins
Han Dynasty beacon tower located on the northeast shore of the lake, with a residual height of about 8 meters and a bottom side length of 12 meters, rammed with loess. Pottery shards, bronze arrowheads, and other cultural relics are scattered around the ruins, making it one of the better-preserved ancient military facilities in Xinjiang.
Delicacies
Balikun Mutton Braised with Pancake
The most distinctive food in the scenic area, made with castrated sheep raised on the Balikun grassland. After stewing large pieces of mutton, thin pancakes are placed on the meat soup to braise. The mutton is tender and juicy, and the pancakes absorb the meat aroma. Each portion weighs about 1.5 kg, suitable for 2-3 people, with an average price of 80 yuan per portion.
Kazakh Horse Milk Wine
A traditional beverage made from fermented horse milk, with an alcohol content of about 3-5 degrees, sweet and sour, and helpful for digestion. The folk culture village in the scenic area offers freshly brewed horse milk wine, priced at 50 yuan per kilogram, which can be bottled and taken away.
Oil-Crisped Bread
A traditional Balikun pasta, baked with flour, clear oil, and salt, sprinkled with sesame seeds on the surface. It is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, about 20 cm in diameter, sold at 5 yuan each, and is a daily staple food for local herders.
Cold Salad with Antler Algae
Made from wild antler algae (a type of algae) growing by the lake, washed and mixed with chili and vinegar. It is crispy and tender, with the effect of clearing heat and relieving summer heat, priced at 25 yuan per plate.
Milk Tea
A traditional Kazakh beverage, boiled with brick tea, milk, and salt, and can be served with oil-crisped bread. The Kazakh milk tea provided in the folk culture village can serve 4 people per pot, priced at 30 yuan.
Tickets
Free admission.
Opening Hours
The scenic area is open year-round from 8:30 to 20:30. In winter (December to February), the lake freezes and some boardwalks are closed, but ice and snow activities can be carried out; April-May and September-October are the best bird watching periods.
Tour Route
After entering the scenic area, visitors can first climb the Bird Watching Platform to enjoy the lake view and migratory birds, then walk along the wooden boardwalk to the lake center observation deck for photography. Then go to the Kazakh Folk Culture Village to experience activities such as milking and yurt visits, and taste mutton braised with pancakes and other delicacies at noon. In the afternoon, visit the Steppe Stone Statues and Beacon Tower Ruins, and finally ride horses or hike on the grassland by the lake, with the whole journey taking about 4-5 hours.
Transportation
- Self-driving: Start from Hami urban area, drive about 150 kilometers along G7 Beijing-Xinjiang Expressway, turn to S303 Provincial Road to reach Balikun County, then drive 18 kilometers west to the scenic area. The whole journey takes about 2.5 hours, and parking in the scenic area is free.
- Shuttle bus: There are 4 tourist special lines from Balikun County to the scenic area every day, departing at 9:00, 11:00, 14:00, and 16:00, with return trips at 10:30, 13:30, 15:30, and 18:00, priced at 10 yuan per person.
- Chartered car: Chartered cars can be hired in Balikun County to the scenic area, costing about 150-200 yuan per day, suitable for family visitors, and can by the way visit surrounding attractions such as Balikun Ancient City.
Must-Visit Attractions
- Main Lake of Balikun Lake: The largest inland lake in the East Tianshan Mountains, with wooden boardwalks and lake center observation decks as core photography areas. In summer, wildflowers bloom along the shore, and in winter, ice activities can be carried out on the frozen lake.
- Bird Watching Platform: The best bird watching point at an altitude of 2,000 meters, where tens of thousands of migratory birds can be seen in April-May, with telescope rental services available (20 yuan per pair).
- Kazakh Folk Culture Village: An experience area composed of 20 yurts, where visitors can participate in activities such as making milk knots and embroidery. The bonfire party at 20:00 every night includes ethnic song and dance performances.
Tour Tips
- The best visiting seasons are June-August (grassland flower sea) and September-October (migratory birds + autumn scenery). Sunscreen should be carried in summer, and a coat should be prepared due to large day-night temperature differences.
- Keep quiet when bird watching and avoid using flash. Binoculars can be prepared in advance or rented from the scenic area.
- Yurt accommodation in the folk culture village needs to be booked in advance, priced at about 200 yuan per yurt (accommodating 4 people), including breakfast.
- Non-slip shoes are recommended for hiking by the lake. Some areas have wetland swamps, so walk along the boardwalks.
- When tasting horse milk wine, it is recommended to drink a small amount first and add more after adaptation to avoid discomfort from drinking on an empty stomach.
Notes
- Littering is prohibited in the scenic area. Classified trash bins are set up by the lake to protect the alpine lake ecological environment.
- Steppe stone statues and beacon tower ruins are cultural relic protection units. Climbing or carving is prohibited, and violators will face fines.
- There are many mosquitoes by the lake in summer. It is recommended to wear long-sleeved clothes and carry mosquito repellent.
- Follow the guidance of staff when horseback riding, wear a safety helmet, and the fee is about 50 yuan per half hour. Bargaining in advance is required.
- The scenic area is at an altitude of about 1,800 meters. Some visitors may experience mild altitude sickness, so strenuous exercise is not recommended.
- The ice thickness on the lake in winter is uncertain. Do not enter the ice surface without permission to avoid danger.