Lake Zaysan
A Large Lake Of About 5,500 Square Km Fed And Drained By The Irtysh, Enlarged By The Bukhtarma Reservoir; A Fishing, Bird And Long Drive Destination On The Way To The Altai And The Chinese Frontier. · Zaysan, East Kazakhstan
Lake Zaysan is a very large body of water in the south-east of East Kazakhstan, about 5,500 square km, fed and drained by the Irtysh River and enlarged by the Bukhtarma Reservoir dam. The town of Zaysan to the south is the base, and a road runs along the shore. Be honest about what to expect: this is not alpine scenery. The land around the lake is dry steppe, flat and wide, with hills in the distance and very hot summers. What it offers is space, fish, birds and a sense of how far this country stretches. Anglers come for carp, pike-perch and other freshwater fish, and bird watchers come for waterfowl and waders in spring and autumn migration. For most travellers it is a transit and road-trip stop on the way between Ust-Kamenogorsk, the Altai and the Chinese frontier, worth a morning, a swim or a night if you are already driving through. It is not worth a special flight. If you are tight on time, skip it and spend the days in the mountains instead.
Large lake and reservoir on the Irtysh River in the south-east of East Kazakhstan, with the town of Zaysan to the south and a dam road along the north shore, Zaysan, East Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan
The lake shore is open at all times, and there are no gates or ticket booths along most of the road. Fish markets, small cafes and boat owners near Zaysan town keep irregular hours, usually open by day and busiest in summer, but exact times are not known here, so ask locally. Boat hire depends on the owner and the wind. In winter parts of the lake freeze and services shrink. Daylight is the safe time to drive the shore roads, since there is little lighting and wildlife and livestock cross the road.