Climate
Fall can be quite cold and windy, and a same day return to Kashgar should be considered if you're not well prepared.
Understand
Karakul Lake meaning "black lake" is located approximately 200km from Kashgar, Xinjiang province, China, in Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture on the Karakoram Highway, before reaching Tashkurgan and the Khunjerab Pass on the China - Pakistan border. At an altitude of 3600m though a height of nearer 3,900 m has been quoted, it is the highest lake of the Pamir plateau, near the junction of the Pamir, Tian Shan and Kunlun mountain ranges. Surrounded by mountains which remain snow-covered throughout the year, the three highest peaks visible from the lake are Muztagh Ata 7546m, Kongur Tagh 7649m and Kongur Tiube 7530m. The lake is popular among travelers for its unreal scenery and the clarity of its reflection in the water, whose color ranges from a dark green to azure and light blue. There are two Kirgiz settlements along the shore of Karakul lake, a small number of yurts about 1km east of the bus drop-off point and a village with stone houses located on the western shores.