Dalongchi Lake
大龙池（琼库勒湖）
A high-mountain Tianshan lake beside the Duku Highway at about 2,400 m, with a wide water surface framed by snow peaks and spruce forest. It is the classic stop on the northern route from Kuqa.
Dalongchi Lake is known in Uyghur as “Qiongkule” (“big lake”). It lies deep in the Tianshan Mountains, about 120 km north of Kuqa city, and the Duku Highway (G217) runs right along its shore. The lake sits at about 2,400 m. It is a landslide-dammed lake, formed when collapsed mountain debris blocked the valley. Its long, open waters are framed by snowy peaks, grassy slopes and stands of snow spruce. On clear days the water is bright blue, and the mountainside turns golden in late September, the best time for photos. There are viewing platforms and boardwalks by the lake. Entry is free, and a photo stop takes about an hour. A few farmhouse restaurants and eateries sit by the lake. The lake is only accessible while the Duku Highway is open, generally from June to early October, subject to official transport notices. We suggest leaving Kuqa early and combining it with the Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon and Xiaolongchi, about 3 km northwest, as a day trip, or continuing north to Bayanbulak. Note: mountain temperatures vary greatly between morning and evening, so bring a jacket. The Duku Highway is busy during holidays, and speed limits are strictly enforced.
Opening hours
While the Duku Highway is open