Wulungu Lake Travel Guide
Dzungaria's Great Lake: Winter Fishing, Fish Feast, and the Yadan Coast
Ulungu Lake is a large lake on the northern edge of the Junggar Basin: in summer there are Yadan coasts and fish feasts, and in January there is the Ulungu Winter Fishing Festival with fish been caught on the trial line. This article explains clearly how to link seasonal activities with the Altay route.
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Destination Details
Ulungu Lake (Fuhai) is located in Fuhai County, Altay Prefecture, and is one of the largest lakes in the Junggar Basin. Locals call it "Big Lake." The lake area features grasslands, deserts, and Yadan landforms. It has abundant fish resources—pike, five-striped black fish, and spotted pike are the main dishes on the table.
Things Worth Including in Your Itinerary
- Winter Fishing: The early January Winter Fishing Festival is the most famous event—horses pull the winches on the ice to lift the nets, and dozens of kilograms of big fish stream out of the ice holes. It is one of the few winter fishing ceremonies in the entire Xinjiang region that can rival Chagan Lake.
- Fish Feast: Grilled pike and fish head soup at lakeside restaurants are available all year round at affordable prices, attracting many people who specifically detour from Altay to eat.
- Yadan Coast and Beach: In summer, there is a beach and Yadan formations on the southwest coast of the lake, as if a seaside has been moved to the Junggar Basin.
Seasons and Timing
Winter fishing is best in January (the exact opening date varies each year, check locally before departure); June to September is suitable for lake leisure and fish feasts; autumn can be a quick stop along the way. In winter, after the lake freezes over, all activities take place on the ice, so wear non-slip ice cleats.
Transportation and Routes
Fuhai lies between Beitun and Altay, and Ulungu Lake is right next to the county town. Classic routes: Altay—Ulungu Lake Winter Fishing—Keketuohai winter line, or during summer, return via the Altay loop and enjoy a fish feast.
