Kaindy is a 400-meter-long lake, nearly 30 meters deep, located 129 km from Almaty, Kazakhstan. The lake is situated at an altitude of 2,000 meters above sea level.
Kaindy Lake, also known as the Dead Lake, transports visitors into a surreal world.
Located in the Tian Shan mountain range, Kaindy was formed after a significant earthquake triggered a large landslide in 1911. Rainwater filled the valley, submerging a forest of spruce trees, resulting in the 400-meter-long Kaindy Lake we see today. This area is rich in scenic spots, one of which is the submerged forest that rises above the lake’s surface, where many straight tree trunks still stand in the middle of the water.
The lake is famous for its dead spruce trees, with bleached trunks rising above the water. From a distance, visitors might mistake it for an upside-down forest, as the leaves are submerged while the trunks stretch skyward like masts.
Kaindy Lake with crystal clear water.
The most impressive view of the “forest” is underwater. The tree trunks show no signs of decay. The spruce leaves are perfectly preserved on the branches after more than 100 years, thanks to the cold temperature of the lake water, which rarely exceeds 6 degrees Celsius even in summer. The clear water allows visitors to easily see this submerged forest.
The enchanting atmosphere of the lake becomes even more pronounced when the water’s surface is covered in mist or when the lake freezes over. Many visitors find themselves lost in a surreal world.
In winter, this place becomes a popular destination for salmon fishing and ice diving. People create a hole in the ice and dive down into the lake. This ice diving activity is considered more dangerous than regular diving. However, for adventurous tourists, witnessing the surreal scenery of Kaindy Lake through the clear and frozen surface is a unique experience.
Aerial view of Kaindy Lake with spruce forest.
Although the lake is known as “one of the most unusual lakes in the world,” this unique destination still receives few visitors. Kaindy is often overlooked by tourists who are drawn to the nearby famous Bolshoe Almatinskoe and Kolsay lakes. One reason people often bypass Kaindy is its more challenging accessibility, as it is located in a canyon with a dirt road leading to it. Reaching the lake requires specialized vehicles capable of navigating rough terrain. As a result, the lake has maintained its tranquil atmosphere.
