Photo adjustments
Full frame retained; proportionally resized and converted to WebP. No retouching or changes to the photographed subject. Card displays may crop the view.
Explore the region
About Ulungur Lake
Fishing and wetland habitats are central to its regional character. The broad shores provide a different experience from the enclosed mountain valleys around Kanas. Seasonal ice, bird activity and recreational facilities vary, so choose a currently managed visitor area rather than an arbitrary point on the lake edge.
Organised fishing began in the 1950s, initially relying on native species such as perch and dace. Introduced fish, including carp, became part of the lake's ecology from the 1960s. Diversion works built during the 1970s and 1980s added water from the Irtysh River (额尔齐斯河), supplementing the natural supply from the Ulungur River (乌伦古河).
More than 20 fish species were recorded by 2021, although some native populations had declined and were placed under protection. The Xinjiang Fuhai Ulungur Lake National Wetland Park (新疆福海乌伦古湖国家湿地公园) protects surrounding river, lake and marsh wetlands. A winter fishing festival is held on the lake, continuing its association with seasonal fishing.
What to look for
- The main lake and Jili Lake form a connected water system.
- Fisheries and wetland habitat explain the lake’s importance to Fuhai.
Background & history
Ulungur Lake is located in Fuhai County, Xinjiang, China. With an area of 1,035 square kilometers, the lake is one of China's ten largest freshwater lakes. Its main tributary is the Ulungur River. It is an endorheic lake, though the Irtysh River flows towards the Arctic Ocean less than 4 km away to the northeast. Lake Ulungur is divided into two sections, often viewed as two separate lakes: the Buluntuo Lake (or the Ulungur Lake proper) and the smaller Jili Lake (吉力湖, 46°55′00″N 87°25′00″E), connected by a narrow channel. The main affluent of the Ulungur-Jili system is the Ulungur River; presently, its main channel enters the Jili Lake at around 46°59′30″N 87°26′00″E. Between 1960 and 1987, the lake level dropped by 4.2 m, due to the increasing use of the river water for irrigation and other needs.
Excerpt from Wikipedia: Ulungur Lake · Wikipedia contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0. Selected introductory sentences; formatting simplified. Background information, not current visitor-service advice.
Location & getting there
Getting to Ulungur Lake
Use Fuhai county town as the arrival base and confirm a currently open Ulungur lakeside visitor area before travelling onward. The lake-centre pin is not a shore entrance, and seasonal activities need separate confirmation.
Combine your visit
Choose from these complementary stops when planning your visit.
-
Fuhai base福海县城
Confirm the lake access and return connection.
-
Managed lakeshore开放管理湖岸
Choose a public viewing route.
-
Lake and fishery interpretation湖泊与渔业解说
Look for local information about the water system and fishing traditions.
This is a suggested combination, not a timed route; confirm the opening and transport arrangements for your date.
Find Ulungur Lake
乌伦古湖 · 阿勒泰地区
The pin marks the area, not the entrance.
More places nearby
Approximate straight-line distances between map pins, not travel distances.
Hemu Village 禾木村
147 km awayHemu’s timber houses sit in a broad mountain valley around the Hemu River, with birch woodland adding strong seasonal colour. The public lanes provide a close view of the settlement, while Haden viewing platform shows the…
View guide →Kanas Lake 喀纳斯湖
175 km awayKanas lies in a forested valley in the Altai Mountains, with the lake flowing into a river landscape of bends and smaller viewing areas. The lakeshore, Three Bays and Guanyutai offer different perspectives and require different…
View guide →Urho Ghost City 乌尔禾魔鬼城
175 km awayUrho Ghost City is a field of wind-eroded formations northeast of central Karamay. Ridges and isolated rock masses resemble towers, animals and ruined buildings, giving the site its evocative name. Changing light reveals the…
View guide →Sources & visit information
The linked encyclopedia sources support background and place descriptions. Current opening hours, ticket prices, booking rules and transport schedules have not been independently verified for this guide. Confirm them with the venue or operator before travelling.
- Ulungur Lake — Wikipedia geographic and historical reference ↗
- Chinese Wikipedia: 乌伦古湖 (revision 93926661, 2026-08-17) ↗
Geographic and historical facts selectively adapted from Wikipedia contributors, Ulungur Lake · CC BY-SA 4.0. Source revision 1366777983.
Background paragraphs translated and condensed from Wikipedia contributors, "乌伦古湖", Chinese Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0. Source revision 93926661.