Issyk-Kul

Issyk-Kul is the eighth-deepest lake in the world and the eleventh-largest by volume. Because it is saline, it rarely freezes despite its altitude and harsh winters.

Snowy peaks surround the lake, with Cholpon-Ata on the north shore and Karakol at the eastern end. It forms part of a biosphere reserve and is a wetland of international importance.

Legends tell of ancient cities beneath its waters, and archaeologists have indeed found traces of old settlements in the shallows. In summer Issyk-Kul is the main holiday destination for Kyrgyzstan and its neighbours.