By Editor Han Yizhang

Photo by CRI Reporter Liu Min

Origins

Sayram in Kazak means "blessing". Sayram Lake, also called "Santai Haizi", is a stunning and peaceful lake as the Elezhuyitubomu military dais was built on the east lakeshore during Qing Dynasty.

A local legend said: "Sayram Lake is made by the tears of two young kazak lovers". About 70 million years ago, during the days of Himalayas' orogenic movement, a section of Tianshan Mountains suddenly sank and Sayram Lake, a fault-trough lake called by geologists, came into being.

Location

Among many jewels that lay hidden within folds of Tianshan Mountains is Sayram Lake, located 90 kilometers southwest of Bole County, Bortala Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture, north of Urumqi-Ili Road, being connected to the Fruit Valley (Taleqi Daban) of Ili at "Songshu Tou". It is like a large emerald encased in the hinterland of Tianshan Mountains' western section.

Sayram Lake is on the northern Silk Road, by lakefront and on the mid-lake island, Longwang Temple (Dragon King Temple), Hai Temple and other constructions once were built. However, none now remain standing.

Sayram Lake is the largest and highest alpine lake in Xinjiang and about 20km long east to west, 30 km wide north to south. It occupies an area of 457suqare kilometers, with a holding capacity of 21 billion cubic meters, is about 85 meters deep and 90.5 meters at its deepest point. Its surface is 2073 meters above sea level. Hence, it is not surprising that some consider it as a boundless sea.

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