Tere-Khol Lake

Tere-Khol is a major lake in south-eastern Tuva: 39.1 km², elevation 1,298 m, modest average depth but a dozen islands and a long shoreline. The Bazherganak and Kungur-Tuk rivers enter; the Saldam flows out to Balyktyg-Khem. The lake is part of the “Tere-Khol Lake” nature monument and shares an archaeological island with Uyghur fortress ruins — yet as a water body it stands alone: fishing, birds, steppe views toward Sangilen. Kungurtug village, the district centre, lies about 6 km away. A pile footbridge about 1.3 km long links the south-east bank to the island — a rare engineering feature for Tuva’s periphery. Bridge and shore are sensitive to wind and water level; off-season decking can be slippery. Plan to stay in Kungurtug or camp on permitted ground; fuel and food should be carried in. The lake is a practical stop on a Tere-Kholsky kozhuun route, not a mandatory one-day postcard from Kyzyl.