The high mountain lake is about 4.8 square kilometers in area. The lake is a travel destination since the surrounding mountains are so high -- approaching the height of Mount Everest, the scenery is rugged and beautiful, and the lake is next to the Karakoram Highway that links Kashgar and Pakistan. There are accommodations along the lake in Kyrgyz settlements. The ride on the Karakoram Highway is interesting. The highway passes by high valleys where people herd various kinds of animals, and it goes down to the cultivated Uighur tree-lined farms around Kashgar. Accommodations may be had at the lake in a Chinese hotel, in huts or in Kyrgyz yurts. The best accomations will probably be in Kyrgyz-owned yurts next to the Kyrgyz people. People may also bring their own tents. People can hike around in the area, but a lot of people will probably get altitude sickness since the lake is at a high altitude of 3,600 meters or 12,000 feet. It hasn’t yet been turned into a big tourist resort destination, so people can find some solitude though the nearby highway means that people will also hear traffic noises.

The lake has a maximum depth of 242 meters. This makes it reflect the surrounding mountains and gives it a variety of hues depending on the weather. There are three peaks near it that are over 7,500 meters or 24,600 feet. Muztagh Ata is 7,548 meters tall, Kongur Tagh is 7,646 meters tall, and Kongur Tiube is 7,530 meters tall. For comparison, this is higher than any mountain in North America. The two Kyrgyz villages and Kyrgyz herding their animals gives the place an exotic feel, and people can go for rides on the camels or horses. Though the Kyrgyz might try to gauge people on prices, economical meals and places to stay can be found by checking around for what is available. Yurt prices per night start about 35 RMB or about 5 USD. The Chinese hotel and non-native accommodations cost more, and it is said that they try to rip people off. It is probably best to bring your own clothes, food that you like, toilet paper and water. A very warm sleeping bag is useful because even during the summer the place is very cold at night.

Since the lake is on the Karakoram Highway, the beautiful and exotic scenery during a ride from Pakistan or Kashgar is interesting in itself. People can see various ethnic groups such as Tajiks, Kyrgyz, Uighurs and others during a journey between Kashgar and Pakistan. Unlike what people say, hiring a travel guide, a permit or an entry fee to the lake area are not mandated. To avoid a lot of hassle, it is probably best to plan a trip by yourself by using taxis, buses or local transportation and by finding accomodations with the Kyrgyz people once you get there.

During the summers, there is short green grass with grazing animals near the lake, but in the fall the land around the lake turns brown like the color of camels. If the sky is clear, the blue sky and snow-capped mountains reflecting in the lake is something to remember and makes for beautiful photos.