Big Almaty Lake
Big Almaty Lake (BAL) is the pearl of the Northern Tien-Shan and is located 20 km from the center of Almaty at an altitude of 2500 meters above the sea. The beauty of the place is spread out over an area of 0.42 square km, and the depth of the clear waters of the lake with a temperature of 10-12 degrees reaches 45 meters. The name of the lake does not correspond to its size, in fact it is small. Territory of the lake is located near the border with the Republic of Kyrgyzstan, but visiting this area does not require any special permits.
The age of Big Almaty lake is nearly 2,000 years, then due to the earthquake formed a natural dam, which has become the natural heritage of the country and Almaty city. Big Almaty lake has a unique feature: the water can change color. Therefore, every visit to BAL is special, because every time the lake surprises with its unusual appearance, namely the color of the water: turquoise, ultramarine, or emerald. Mountain peaks are reflected in the clear fresh water of the Big Almaty lake. This view impresses with its beauty, allowing visitors to enjoy the environment. The banks, which are covered with vegetation, are full of juicy green in summer, and in winter are magically covered with snow. The lake impresses with its beauty, and the landscape that surrounds the area is breathtaking, especially the view and grandeur of the snowy peaks of the Zailiyskiy Alatau mountains.
Big Almaty lake is a source of fresh water for residents of Almaty, so the object is protected by state services. Therefore, when visiting this territory, certain rules must be observed. All the rules are indicated on the poster that is displayed on the road to the lake. On the territory of the lake, the order is monitored by the military. Access to the lake shore and approach to the water is prohibited. People come to BAL not only to enjoy the view of the beautiful nature of the area, but also to visit the Tien-Shan astronomical Observatory, which is located a couple of kilometers from the lake. In addition, the Space Station is located not so far from the place. Going on a hike to the Big Almaty lake requires warm clothing even on a hot summer day, preferably comfortable shoes, hats and sunglasses. There are no cafes, shopping stalls and hotels directly near the lake, so everyone who goes on a hike takes something from drinks and food to eat.
The most convenient way to get to the Big Almaty lake is to use a car. The route to BAL starts from the center of Almaty and passes through Dulati street in the South direction, then reaches the bus stop at a fork where there is a turn to the left. The road leads to the hotel “The Alpine rose”, where again there is a turn left. After the turn, there will be a single road that leads to the Big Almaty lake. It is not recommended getting there on foot, there is a great risk of getting lost in the mountains. Therefore, it is not worth risking and it is better to use the services of people who transport passengers to the Big Almaty lake.
Big Almaty lake is a real asset of the city of Almaty, which attracts the attention of many tourists and is loved by all local residents. Big Almaty lake is a picturesque and beautiful place that is worth seeing! Edited 2020apr28
