Data Zone
Country/territory: China (mainland)
IBA criteria met: A1, A3 (2009)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here
Area: 38,000 hectares (380.00 km2)
Site description (2009 baseline)
Located in the western part of the Junggar Basin, 300 km north-west of Urumqi. Manas Hu lake in the northern part of the IBA is now dry and has turned into salt marsh. Ailike Hu lake and Urho are important breeding and staging areas for birds.
Key biodiversity
Non-bird biodiversity: Nationally protected animals include Vulpes vulpes and Gazella subgutturosa.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Karamay desert and lakes (China (mainland)). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/karamay-desert-and-lakes-iba-china-(mainland) on 23/12/2024.