Big Almaty Lake - Breathe taking blue! 大阿拉木圖湖 - 令人屏息的藍!

Big Almaty Lake (BOA) is located 15 km far in the South of Almaty, at the height of 2,511 meters above sea level. The lake is within the Alatau – Ili National park and the lake is a "must-go" attraction for visitors while visiting Almaty. The lake is used for both hydro-electric power, and the water supply for the city, and also it is famous for the magnificent mountain scenery.

大阿拉木圖湖位於阿拉木圖的南方15公里遠，位於海拔2.511公尺處。 該湖位於Alatay-Ili 國家公園，並且對於許多遊客而言也是個"必到"的景點。該湖不但是提供阿拉木圖其水力發電外，也是提供城市水源的供給。 此外，其壯麗的景色也是該處知名的地方。

After I saw so many nice photos from this Lake, it is for sure one of my must-go places as well. I have been searching for a way to get there. As it's not far from the city, so people usually go there by car. I was lucky because a friend drove me there, I felt so warm from her help.  However, if you are not as lucky as I am, you can also ask for some private tour for taking you there. Friendly Map Almaty, the founders also provide eco-tour to BOA, you can contact them if you need. Besides, I also saw some drivers near the Presidential Palace, asking people if they want to visit Almaty Lake. However, only if you know how to bargain, as a newly tourist, it's easy to be charged a pricey fee if you don't know speak the language to bargain.

看過很多大阿拉木圖湖的照片後，我怎能不心動，當然是一定要去的啊! 我也都一直在找方法去哪裡。 就好比上述的依樣，他離城市不遠，所以大部分的人也都是開車去那裡的。 超幸運的是，我有個可愛的友人載了我一程，讓我大大溫暖。 然而，如果不像我依樣幸運的人，我還是建議先找好私人行程過去，Friendly Almaty Map的創始人就有提供這樣的生態旅遊給觀光客。此外，我也有見到在Presidential Palace附近都有攬客的司機問你要不要去BOA。 不過，在我看來，要是不懂當地語言去跟他們討價還價的話，一定會活生生地被扒一層皮的，多花很多錢。

                                                                     Way to BOA 1.

      Way to BOA 2.

On the way to the Lake, we pulled over few times to see the views from different levels above sea, and all the views on the way are also nice, and sometimes you can see single cyclist or group of them cycling on the road as well.

再前往湖的同時，我們也會在不同的平面上稍作停留，看看不同高度的視野。 整路上的風景都好美，而且也都能夠看到單車騎士在這裡馳騁。

Also, many families stopped at some spots where people can also take photos with the mountains, and you can see people are not afraid of crossing the railings near the cliff just to take pictures. Applauses!!

路上也有許多家庭會停下來在某些景點與高山取景合照，大家都很勇敢地跨過欄杆到懸崖旁邊拍照。 鼓掌鼓掌!

We finally reached there, the view was just breathe-taking. As the weather was nice that day, the colour in the lake was blue, the turquoise blue from my opinion, the lake is so quiet, a bit cold there, but the emotion in my heart was surging. The lake, the mountain with snow at the peaks were just as beautiful as a painting.

最後到達目的地，整個風景讓我實在是屏息。 天氣很好，湖水顏色對我來說就好比土耳其藍一般。湖面很平靜，有點涼意，但是我內心的情緒卻是很高漲的。 湖面伴隨著雪頂的山，整個畫面就好比一幅美麗的畫。

You can also see many vans for the private tour there as BOA is one of the most famous places when people visit Almaty.

到處可見到的箱型車，由此可知這裡也是參觀阿拉木圖知名的景點之一。

It is also as lovely as the view of the Lake to see the way people taking photos.

除了風景，隨處可見到處拍照的人們，也是美麗的景色之一。

Even the way back to the city, the view is still great!!

連下山的風景都哪麼美!!!

The most interesting part of the trip was on the way back to the city, we saw a couple in traditional costume was taken wedding photos. We immediately pulled over and asked them if we can photograph them, the groom was very nice and did some poses for us to photograph. I love this unexpected surprise to end up the trip the BOA.

這趟旅途最有趣的部份應該就是在回到市中心的路上，遇到了一對穿著傳統服飾外拍婚紗照的新人。 我們馬上停車問他們我們能不能拍照，新郎真的是超級好的，還擺了很多pose讓我們拍他們。 我想這個部分是整個遊湖最大的一個小驚喜。 (新人超帥又超美的啦!!!)

Send you one more stunning photos, because I am sure you would feel like visiting this nice place after you see the stunning views!!

最後再送上幾張美照，相信看過後，你也會心動的想要去這裡吧!!