Located approximately 40 kilometers southeast of Turpan, with the beautiful wilderness area and the peculiar geographical surroundings, the Aydingkol Lake attracts many foreign and local tourists to see the splendid vivid reds, greens, yellows and purples presented by the many plants that thrive here such as reeds, tamarisks and the many other shrubs and plants. There are also several Han Dynasty beacon towers overlooking this beautiful scene.

Covering 22 square km, this lake, now only a salt puddle, millions of years ago was a fresh water lake a thousand times larger than it is today. The Aydingkol lake's continental basin at 154.33 meters, is the second deepest below sea level after the Dead Sea at 391 meters.

It is comprised of three parts: the outer circle is an alluvial plane. The inner part is salt marsh while at its center the lake is pure white and glittering salt rime.