Aydingkol Lake -----the Lowest Lake in China

Located 50 kilometers to the south of the city of Turfan, the Aydingkol Lake is 154 meters below sea level, lowest in China and second lowest in the World—next only to the Dead Sea ( -391m ) It covers an area of 22 kilometers (about nine square miles) and measures 40 kilometers (about 25 miles) from west to east, eight kilometers (about five miles) from north to south. Attracted by this peculiar geographical characteristics and desert landscapes round, visitors from all over China and abroad come here to sightsee and explore. 

Shaped like the moon, the lake was so named by the Uigur. Aydingkol, means 'Moonlight Lake'. It has a long history going back about 250 million years. Ten thousand years ago it was a freshwater lake and was 1,000 times larger than its current size. Natural forces affected its elevation and once it became land locked so mineral deposits began to accumulate. Today, the lake is comprised of three parts: the outer circle is an alluvial plane. The inner part is salt marsh while at its center the lake is pure white and glittering salt rime. Neither birds nor fish inhabit its hostile environs, but one may come across gnats and hares from time to time. Occasionally, mirages are created by the refraction of the sun light.

As one of the hottest and driest areas in the world, annual precipitation in Aydingkol Lake is less than 20 millimeters. The evaporation is thousands of times greater than precipitation. The annual average temperature here is 14 degree Celsius. The extreme high temperature rises to 45 degree Celsius and the surface temperature is more than 80 degree Celsius. It is said that 50.2 degree Celsius was observed by automatic weather station in Aydingkol Lake region on July 14th, 2011, which has reached a new high temperature in China.

The lake is highly mineralized and contains rock salt, Glauber's salt, glauberite, gypsum, etc. The reserves of salt and Glauber's salt exceed 300 million tons, an important source of raw materials to chemical industries. There is now a chemical plant on the lake front. In addition to the natural views, the surrounding karez, beacon tower and residential sites are of great archaeological importance. The desolate and incult sight of the Aydingkol Lake will make a unique impression on visitors.

In spring, visitors can see some migratory waterfowls pass here such as moorhen, Fulica atra or himantopus. The anatine are often bogged salt marshes around the lake and the place becomes their burial ground. Aydingkol Lake evolves into one of the best sight-seeing spots in recent years. The specific geographical location and heat resources draw the attention of scholars and tourists both at home and abroad

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