Bosten Lake

Bosten Lake is vast under the blue sky and white clouds, like a quiet gem shining in the desert. Bosten Lake is the largest inland freshwater lake in China, integrating desert and lake scenery. It is rich in natural resources such as aquatic products, reeds and wetlands. It is the largest fishery production base in Xinjiang, one of the four reed areas in China and a national wetland park.

The total mileage of the highway around Bosten Lake is 239.2 kilometers, connecting many tourist attractions such as the Bosten Lake, Lianhai World and Egret Island.
 

Facts of Bosten Lake

As the largest inland freshwater lake in China, Bosten Lake is only 14 kilometers away from Bohu County and 24 kilometers away from Yanqi County. Bosten Lake is 1,048 meters above sea level, 55 kilometers long from east to west and 25 kilometers wide from north to south. Its shape is like a triangular, with an area of 988 square kilometers. There are dozens of small lakes of different sizes in the southwest of the Great Lakes, with a total area of 1,228 square kilometers and a lake capacity of about 10 billion cubic meters.
 

What to See at Bosten Lake

Picturesque Natural Scenery

The natural landscape of Bosten Lake is rich and varied, with both vast waters and dense reeds. In summer, reeds and cattails grow thickly around the lake. And the Bosten Lake is clear and crystal, with various water plants and flowers such as lotus flowers and water lilies blooming. Besides, waterfowl nests on the water surface can be seen everywhere. Boating on the lake, all kinds of waterfowl pass by and overhead from time to time, and it is joyful to listen to the birds and smell the refreshing fragrance of the lotus. Tasting the delicious fish here is worth trying. In winter, the Bosten Lake is frozen with the surface of the lake like a mirror, which is a natural ice sports venues.

Xihai Lake
At Bosten Lake, you can relax yourselves at the sandy shores of the Xihai Lake. Walking on the soft sands near the crystal and blue lake of Xihai Lake is just like walking on the seaside, which is comfortable and relaxing. You can also enjoy the stunning sunrise or sunset near the lake. And boating on the lake is also a special experience. 
 

Things to Do at Bosten Lake

Watch Birds

Since March, tens of thousands of migratory birds, such as swans, geese and wild ducks, have migrated from the south to stop and multiply. At the Bosten Lake, you can see the scene of birds flying and fish leaping, forming a harmonious natural picture with reeds and deserts. Bosten is the paradise for bird-watching lovers and photography lovers. Here you can watch the migratory birds and get impressive photos.
 

Feed seagulls

With the temperature rising and the blue waves rippling on the lake, tourists can go for an outing and feed seagulls at the Bosten Lake. You can feel the tranquility and comfort of the blue sky mirroring in the blue lake, which form one integrated mass. But the vegetation in some areas has not completely turned green at Bosten lake.
 

Know about the culture of the local ethic groups

Bosten Lake is not only the largest inland freshwater lake in China, but also an important tourism resource and ecosystem. Through effective management and protection, the ecological environment of Bosten Lake has been significantly improved, attracting a large number of tourists to visit. At the same time, Bosten Lake is rich in historical and cultural heritage, providing more travel experiences for tourists. Visiting Bosten Lake, you can know about the life, customs, history and culture about the local ethic groups. And you can also experience the life of the local people.

Savor Local Delicacies: Bosten Lake Fish

When you come here, eating fish is the top priority. Bosten Lake is abundant in black carp, grass carp, common carp, and the famous Bosten Lake large-net fish. The most authentic local way of eating it is to prepare the fish in multiple ways, especially braised fish chunks and clear fish soup. The meat is extremely tender, without a trace of muddy taste, and paired with freshly baked naan bread, it's an absolute treat for the taste buds.
 

Best Time to Visit Bosten Lake

The best time to visit Bosten Lake is May to September with pleasant weather and most beautiful scenery. In April and May, the grasslands near Bosten Lake turn green and the migratory birds start to fly to Bosten Lake, where you can see the birds as well as beautiful surrounding landscapes. Summer(June to August) is the peak season of Xinjiang travel, when you can see colorful wild flowers, lush grasslands and deserts at the Bosten Lake. And summer is also suitable for boating on the lake. In autumn, the grasslands turn golden and the temperature is comfortable. If you prefer autumn scenery with less crowds, you can visit Bosten Lake in autumn. Bosten Lake is also beautiful in winter, when most of the lake may be frozen, and the lake and the deserts are covered by snow. If you prefer snow scenery and peaceful atmosphere, you can visit Bosten Lake in winter.
 

How to Get to Bosten Lake

By Private Car or Taxi

This is the most convenient option, especially if you want to visit multiple lakeside areas like the Golden Beach or the Lotus Lake.

• Distance and Time: It is roughly 60 kilometers (37 miles) from downtown Korla, taking about 1 to 1.5 hours.

• Ride-Hailing: You can use apps like Didi or simply hail a local taxi. Many travelers negotiate a "day rate" with a taxi driver (usually ranging from 300 to 500 RMB) to take them there, wait for a few hours, and bring them back.

• Self-Drive: If you have a Chinese driver's license or a rental car, take the G218 Highway toward Bohu County. The roads are generally well-maintained.
   

By Public Bus

This is the most budget-friendly method, though it requires a bit of transferring.

• Step 1: Head to the Korla Passenger Transport Center (库尔勒客运站).

• Step 2: Catch a frequent shuttle bus to Bohu County (博湖县). These run throughout the day and are very inexpensive.

• Step 3: Once you arrive at the Bohu County bus station, you can take a local taxi or a smaller sightseeing minibus to your specific destination (such as the Dahékǒu/Lotus World entrance).
   

By Guided Tour

If you prefer a more hassle-free and in-depth trip, our TCT travel agency offers professional guides and private car services: With our private cars, you can freely travel between Tiemenguan and Bosten Lake without worrying about transfers or missing buses; experienced guides will provide in-depth explanations of the historical anecdotes of this Silk Road fortress and take you to the most beautiful reed marshes and lotus blossom spots on Bosten Lake, avoiding the crowds; in addition, we will take you to a highly-rated local fishing village to savor the most authentic "one fish, multiple ways" lake delicacies, creating a one-stop, concierge-level travel experience for you, from cultural relics to the water towns of the frontier.