Issyk-kul

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Issyk-Köl Oblast

Over 170km long and 70km across, Lake Issyk-Köl (Ysyk-Köl, Issyk-Kul, Озеро Иссык-Куль) is the world's second-largest alpine lake. The name, meaning ‘hot lake’, comes from a combination of extreme depth, thermal activity and mild salinity, which ensure the lake never freezes even in the fierce Central Asian winters – despite lying at an altitude of over 1600m. Visitors who swim in the vivid blue waters find views framed not by palms but by the remarkable backdrop of the snow-dappled Ala-Too mountains.


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