Silk Road - Xinjiang Kanas Lake II, where is the Kanas Monster???

Kanas Lake was once in the news for a long period of times, not so much becuase of its beauty, but much about the legendary Kanas Monster.  Many claimed they had seen the shadow of the monster in the lake in different hour in different time of the day in different seasons.  There was even once a research team (may be more appropriate to call them the monster hunting team) was sent to watch the lake so that they can confirm the monster.  Well, all to no avail.

Beside the famous monster, Kanas Lake is a true beauty which hardly known to the world.  I was thinking what is so special about a lake where it is not far from the desert.  The truth is the climate zone changed fast once we reached the north.  Don't forget we are at the border of Russia, the Altai looks absolutely pretty in cold climate.

Kanas Lake is 24KM long, wait, you have not seen the full lake yet!

Stretching upward.

Almost to the full lake.

1/3 of the lake.

Another 1/3.

The final opening.

When you saw these 6 pictures, you will start to believe it isn't a waste for the 18 hours bus ride.

Kanas Lake is the deepest, 184M, fresh water lake in China. The water comes glacier melt in the north Altai Mountain, flow down to the lake and out to Kanas River, later the Burqin River.  One thing is very special about Kanas Lake is the colour of the water, it is so milky blue that you would not believe it is lake water.  The water is full of mineral embeded in the glacier making the lake looks out of the normal blue.  Many said the so called Kanas Lake is merely the shadow of changing colour of the lake milky blue water due to sunlight in different seasons.  The mineral is so thick that the refrlection confused people to think that they saw the shadow of the monster.  Well, while some others still claimed the sighting of the creatures. It does not matter whether there is or there is not, visiting Kanas Lake will not be a regret!

Beside the lake, staying a night with the Kazakhs was an unique experience.  The harsh cold wind, the camp fire, of course, you can't avoid the camp fire dance.  But the most significant of all, the Kazakhs.  They seem to have nothing, but we were told that they are rich, they don't look like but I believe the guide.

My favourite photo of the trip and at all time, is a she, so cute!!!

As we climbed up to the highest to view the lake, the scenery is like those in the Chinese kungfu novel with the superior master meditate around for ages.  Just kidding, but is closed. After viewing the sunset, I felt it was short and we had to leave the next morning.