Aydingkol Lake, about 50 kilometers (31 miles) southeast of Turpan, is a salt puddle at the bottom of the second lowest continental basin in the world, 154.33 meters (505 feet) below sea level next only to the Dead Sea 391 meters (1282.48 feet).

Millions of years ago, Aydingkol Lake used to be a fresh lake a thousand times the size of the present one. Now its surface is completely encrusted with an ice-like layer of salt and its shores are like quicksand. Hence, the local Uigur people call it "Moonlight Lake" for they are easily misled by the false appearances of the mirages and the "dry" surface of the lake and often get bogged down. No fish or bird but hares and field mice scurrying away. Attracted by its peculiar geographical characteristics and wilderness, tourists both at home and abroad come to sightsee and take photos.

The basin of the plated-shaped lake contains rich resources of vitriol, Glauber's salt, coal and alkaline soil. A chemical plant has been set up by the lakeside, which manufacture Glauber's salt - used in detergents and as a diuretic. Around the lake reeds, tamarisks, sacsaouls "plump girls", and other shrubs and weeds thrive in a spectrum of red, yellow, green and purple. Several Han-dynasty beacon towers loom over the lakeside.