Lake Karakul, Karakoram Mountains / 喀喇昆仑山脉之白沙湖

Essay5: White Sand Lake in the Karakoram Mountains

ON THE PLATEAU, walking in the cold wind, I heard whispers from the mountains, waters, a yak, and a person.

The mountain said: “I have stood guard here for countless years, wearing dark armour, draped in white sand silk. Despite tectonic shifts and snowstorms, I remain true to my original purpose, striving to protect this harmonious heaven and earth.”

The lake said: “I lie quietly on the plateau at 3,660 meters, indifferent to sudden winds and blizzards, ignoring the heat of summer and the cold of winter. I maintain my pure essence, untouched by worldly pollution, responding only to this mountain…”

The yak said: “As the unique white yak of our motherland, I coexist with this mountain and this water. People praise me as the ‘Highland White Pearl.’ In my more than 20 years of life, I contribute my efforts to this plateau and dedicate my life to the survival of humanity.”

The person said: “From ancient times to the present hustle, from solitude to liveliness, development is an unyielding reality. For this land, I humble myself, doing what I can, accompanied by my yak, providing heartfelt guidance for travellers.” 

Photo / 摄影 : YongCM

阿克陶县喀喇昆仑山脉之白沙湖 

高原上，走在寒风里，听到一山一水一牛一人的低语：

山说：我从亿万年前就驻守这里，穿着黝黑的铠甲，披着白色的沙绸，不管板块迁移，不管风雪袭击，不忘初衷，尽力守护这一片祥和的天与地。

湖说：我静静地躺卧在3300米的高原上，无视骤风暴雪，不理暑夏寒冬，保持纯净的初心，不受世俗的污染，只回应这山……

牛说：身为祖国独有的白色牦牛，我与这山这水并存。人们誉我为“高原白珍珠”，在我二十余年的寿命中，为这高原尽一份力，为人类的生存奉献我的一生。

人说：从洪荒到喧嚣，从冷清到热闹，发展就是硬道理。为这土地，我蹲下自己，尽我绵薄之力，带着我的牛，为旅人提供暖心的导游。

又一阵风过，竟夹着秋阳的一丝温煦。

阿克陶县喀喇昆仑山脉之白沙湖之二

长长的木制走道，引领着远来的客人走向心目中的山与湖。虽然踩着细沙徐行，更能唤起心底的柔情，但避免污染是对自然的尊重。走入自然，不应留下一丝污渍，更不该带走任何一粒细沙。

阿克陶县喀喇昆仑山脉之白沙湖之三

那水，是如此清澈；那石，是如此洁白。隐身高原上，质本洁来还洁去，莫让污淖落其中，让它们随着微风，随着阵阵涟漪，直到天尽头。