Data Zone
Country/territory: China (mainland)
IBA criteria met: A1, A3, A4i (2009)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here
Area: 98,000 hectares (980.00 km2)
Site description (2009 baseline)
Located on the northern slope of the Tian Shan mountains, 110 km north-west of Hami City and 420 east of Urumqi. Barkol Lake is a salt lake with an area of 140 km2 which is surrounded by marshes and grassland, and there are coniferous forests in the southern part of the IBA. The IBA is a breeding and staging area for birds, and the lake is important for foraging waterbirds.
Key biodiversity
Non-bird biodiversity: Nationally protected species include Equus hemionus, Gazella subgutturosa, Ovis ammon and Panthra uncia.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Barkol Lake and grassland (China (mainland)). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/barkol-lake-and-grassland-iba-china-(mainland) on 22/12/2024.