Huge and brilliant-blue, the saline lake of Issyk-Kul is the second-largest glacial lake in the world, stretching a full 113 miles along a valley in the northern Tian Shan Mountains. Surrounded by towering, snow-capped peaks, the lake itself never freezes in spite of the icy winter temperatures and is perfect for a refreshing swim during the summer months. Over two millennia ago, the area was home to an ancient metropolis, with excavations still ongoing. The region also contains the Issyk-Kul Biosphere Reserve with its unique ecosystems and indigenous flora and fauna.