Burlin Salt Lake — the magical pink lake from “Spirited Away”

In the Kulunda steppe in the Altai region is very picturesque Burlinskoe the lake. The lake is located on the shore of the village of Bursol, so very often it can be found on the Internet by the name «Bursol» or «Rose lake».

The lake is inherently unique. It is famous not only for its pink landscapes but also for the extraction of salt. Salt in the lake is mined for more than 200 years. The first mention of the Burlin salt fishery dates back to 1768. Even the Queen of Russia Catherine the Great ordered to serve Burlin salt to the king’s table, and Tsar Peter the Great called the Deposit «the King’s salt shaker». Invented many years ago, the method of production is still relevant.

The most important sign of the Burlin lake is the pink color, which attracts many tourists traveling to Altai. However, this color it is not always. The lake gets a pink shade only in warm weather. The rest of the time the water in it the usual color. Therefore, the best time to visit the Burlin lake — hot summer days. The higher the temperature and brighter the sun, the more water will be pink.

The culprit of such an unusual color — microscopic algae. In the process of its life, it produces a pigment that causes the lake to play all shades of pink — from pale salmon to crimson. This process is only in the presence of sunlight. The more sun, the more actively working algae, the more intense the color becomes. If you want to see the Pink lake in all its splendor — go to it in the appropriate weather.

The lake area is 32 km2, the average depth is one meter. The lake is drainless. Lake soil is a light and medium-loamy rocks, under a layer of silt is an impressive layer of Glauber salt. The water in the lake is brine chloride with a density of 22–27 degrees of Boma, this figure is higher than that of the Dead sea. Total mineralization — 253 g/l. In summer, the saturation of water with salt increases several times. In winter the lake does not freeze, precipitation entering the lake dissolved by raising the water level.

Because of the high concentration of salt in the lake it is impossible to drown, and sunbathe on the lake instantly. Bathing in saline solution and spreading with healing mud has a positive effect on the surface of the skin.

Also, it’s a great place for photos! From here you can bring very unusual beautiful photos that will surprise your friends. Especially well on the photos is obtained railway , on which runs the wagon train loaded salt. It lies right on the water and goes right into the middle of the lake.

Burlin pink lake in the Altai Territory has an amazing atmosphere and on a quiet evening reminds me for some reason of the magical lake from” Gone with the Ghosts “ by Hayao Miyazaki

All the soil around the lake is saturated with salt and has a characteristic white color. The bottom of the Burlin lake is covered with pure salt crystals, in order not to get hurt walking on the bottom is recommended in shoes. The deeper you go, the larger the salt crystals.

On the shore of the lake near the village of bursol ‘ locals sell salt, clay, there is a paid shower to be washed, you can buy pies, a shish kebab. In the village there are no recreation centers, but 30 km from the lake you can stay in the resort town of Yarovoye, from here you can buy excursions to the «Pink lake».

Independent travelers specify the coordinates of the lake for the Navigator: 53.140822, 78.410995 , the nearest major settlement for the landmark — Slavgorod.