A salt steppe lake south of Kyzyl with therapeutic mud — no fish and few mosquitoes.
Khadyn Lake
Khadyn (Tuv. “birch”) lies 3 km east of Dus-Khol and north of Chagytay at 707 m. Area 23.6 km², nearly round (~6 × 6 km), depth to 10 m. Banks show sandy crusts with white salt bloom. Water is mildly mineralised (~13 ‰), pH 8.4; northern bays hold plastic hydrogen-sulphide mud 0.4–0.9 m thick. Locals note no fish and few biting insects — an unusual mix for summer recreation. The small Khadyn River enters from the south. The lake is a popular informal beach; a Soviet boarding house is described as ruined. Federal M54 and the Cheder spa area lie about 15 km west. Mud treatments are at your own risk: check depth and temperature; leave no trace on shore. Tyva State University students run annual clean-ups — match their care.
How to get there
Tandinsky kozhuun, ~45 km south of Kyzyl. Turn from M54 toward Khadyn / Dus-Khol lakes.
Best season
June to August
Travel tips & stories
Hydrogen-sulphide mud — skip if allergic without medical advice.
No fish — do not expect angling; mosquitoes are few.
Sandy beaches without services — bring water and shade.
Ruined boarding house is unsafe for indoor overnight stays.
Student clean-ups happen yearly — do not add litter.
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Local guides
- TR
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