Bandier Blue Lake

Bandier Blue Lake (also known as Xiaban Reservoir or Kan'er Yanglong Pool) is a landmark scenic spot on the Pamir Plateau in the Kashgar region of Xinjiang. It is located in Bandier Township, Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County, at an altitude of about 3,050 meters. It is known as the "Plateau Sapphire" or the "Blue Eye of Pamir." Originally a section of the Taxkorgan River, it became an artificial lake with water conservancy functions after the construction of the Xiaban Reservoir dam. The lake's water, sourced from glacier melt and rich in high concentrations of minerals, displays varying colors depending on light, season, and weather, such as deep blue, Tiffany blue, peacock blue, light purple, or turquoise. It tends to be bluish-green in summer and turns deep blue in winter, earning it the nickname "Nature's Palette." The lake covers an area of about 3 square kilometers and is surrounded by gray-white bare rock mountains and distant snow-capped peaks, creating a strong visual contrast and a sense of cold mystery. Bandier Blue Lake is open to visitors free of charge. It can be conveniently reached after touring the Panlong Ancient Trail, then returning to Taxkorgan.