Sayram Lake, the last drop of tears of the Atlantic

（People's Daily Online） 08:18, October 11, 2012

Photo shows the wonderful view of Sayram Lake, located about 90 kilometers southwest of Botala Prefecture, Urumqi, north China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.(chinapic.people.com.cn)

Edited and translated by Ye Xin, People's Daily Online

Known as the last drop of tears of the Atlantic, Sayram Lake is located about 90 kilometers southwest of Botala Prefecture, Urumqi, north China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is also known as a pearl of the Silk Road.

In Mongolian language, the name of the lake means 'a lake on the ridge'. In Kazak, sayram means 'blessing'.

The lake is about 20 kilometers long from east to west, 30 kilometers wide from north to south. It covers an area of about 454 squre kilometers, and has an elevation of 2,073 meters (6,800 feet). It is the largest alpine lake as well as the highest lake in Xinjiang.

The lake is an amazing natural water resource which is circled by green grasslands. It is like a brilliant emerald inlaid in the basin surrounded by Tianshan Mountain. The water in the lake is very pure and clear. Flocks of ducks and swans coast on its surface. Flourishing cypress and cedar trees cover the whole mountain range. Cottages scatter the foothills of the mountains. Horses and sheep greze on the mountain slope.

The mixed view of the surrounding snow-capped peaks and the dragon spruce plants on the mountains is very photographic.

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