From high mountain basins to tectonic rifts, Asia’s lakes reflect a wide range of geology and climates. Many support unique ecosystems and have depths that tell stories about the landscape’s formation and history.
There are 28 Deepest Lakes in Asia, ranging from Baikal to Van; the list below shows the continent’s vertical variety. For each lake, entries are organized with Country,Max depth (m),Coordinates (lat, long), and you’ll find below.
Which lake is the deepest in Asia and how deep is it?
Lake Baikal is the deepest in Asia (and the world) with a commonly cited maximum depth around 1,642 m, though exact figures can vary slightly between surveys; its depth reflects its rift-basin origin and long geological history.
How reliable are the depth and coordinate figures in the list?
Depth and coordinate data come from hydrographic surveys, scientific papers, and official sources; while modern measurements are generally reliable, older or remote surveys can differ, so use the provided Country, Max depth (m), and Coordinates (lat, long) for cross-checking and further verification.
Deepest Lakes in Asia
| Name | Country | Max depth (m) | Coordinates (lat, long) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baikal | Russia | 1,642 | 53.30 N, 108.00 E |
| Caspian Sea | Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, Turkmenistan | 1,025 | 42.00 N, 50.00 E |
| Issyk-Kul | Kyrgyzstan | 668 | 42.42 N, 77.25 E |
| Matano | Indonesia | 590 | 2.47 S, 121.31 E |
| Toba | Indonesia | 505 | 2.58 N, 98.81 E |
| Sarez | Tajikistan | 505 | 38.30 N, 72.60 E |
| Van | Turkey | 451 | 38.50 N, 43.00 E |
| Poso | Indonesia | 450 | 1.95 S, 120.65 E |
| Tazawa | Japan | 423 | 39.72 N, 140.66 E |
| Heaven Lake | China, North Korea | 384 | 42.01 N, 128.06 E |
| Shikotsu | Japan | 363 | 42.75 N, 141.33 E |
| Teletskoye | Russia | 325 | 51.58 N, 87.67 E |
| Dead Sea | Israel, Jordan, Palestine | 304 | 31.50 N, 35.50 E |
| Singkarak | Indonesia | 268 | 0.60 S, 100.55 E |
| Khövsgöl | Mongolia | 267 | 51.00 N, 100.50 E |
| Karakul | Tajikistan | 230 | 39.02 N, 73.40 E |
| Ranau | Indonesia | 229 | 4.86 S, 103.92 E |
| Hazar | Turkey | 213 | 38.50 N, 39.40 E |
| Towuti | Indonesia | 203 | 2.77 S, 121.50 E |
| Ranwu | China | 192 | 29.98 N, 96.65 E |
| Rara | Nepal | 167 | 29.53 N, 82.08 E |
| Maninjau | Indonesia | 165 | 0.32 S, 100.20 E |
| Fuxian | China | 155 | 24.58 N, 102.89 E |
| Nam Co | China | 125 | 30.65 N, 90.63 E |
| Lanao | Philippines | 112 | 7.88 N, 124.25 E |
| Biwa | Japan | 104 | 35.25 N, 136.08 E |
| Pangong Tso | China, India | 100 | 33.75 N, 78.67 E |
| Sevan | Armenia | 80 | 40.33 N, 45.33 E |
Images and Descriptions
Baikal
The world’s deepest, oldest, and most voluminous freshwater lake, holding over 20% of the planet’s unfrozen surface fresh water. This Siberian rift lake is a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its unique biodiversity. (Source: ILEC, Russian Academy of Sciences).
Caspian Sea
The world’s largest lake by area, this endorheic saline basin is a remnant of the ancient Paratethys Sea. Its southern basin contains its deepest point, and it is a crucial feature of Eurasian geography. (Source: IHO, various national surveys).
Issyk-Kul
The world’s second-largest high-altitude lake and second-largest saline lake. Despite freezing winter temperatures in the Tian Shan mountains, its slight salinity prevents it from freezing over, earning it the name “Hot Lake”. (Source: Kyrgyz Academy of Sciences).
Matano
An ancient tectonic lake on Sulawesi island, this is Indonesia’s deepest lake. It is known for its exceptionally clear, ultra-oligotrophic waters and a large number of endemic fish species, making it a hotspot for biodiversity research. (Source: Indonesian Institute of Sciences).
Toba
The world’s largest volcanic lake, occupying the caldera of a supervolcano in Sumatra. A colossal eruption around 75,000 years ago formed the lake and is believed to have caused a decade-long global winter. (Source: Volcanological Survey of Indonesia).
Sarez
A geologically young lake formed in 1911 when a massive earthquake triggered a landslide, creating the 567-meter-high Usoi Dam—the tallest natural dam in the world. It is located high in the remote Pamir Mountains. (Source: Tajik Academy of Sciences).
Van
The largest lake in Turkey, Lake Van is a saline soda lake of tectonic origin with no outlet. It has a high pH, allowing only a few fish species to survive, and features underwater microbialites (stromatolites). (Source: Turkish State Hydraulic Works).
Poso
An ancient tectonic lake in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, renowned for its crystal-clear deep blue water. The lake is home to a rich and highly endemic fauna, including unique species of fish, snails, and crustaceans. (Source: Limnological studies).
Tazawa
The deepest lake in Japan, located in Akita Prefecture. This stunning caldera lake is famous for its nearly circular shape and vibrant cobalt blue waters, though its ecosystem was altered by acidic water introduction in 1940. (Source: Geological Survey of Japan).
Heaven Lake
A spectacular volcanic crater lake situated atop Paektu Mountain on the border of China and North Korea. Created by a massive eruption around 946 CE, it is known for its dramatic scenery and is subject to severe weather. (Source: Various geological surveys).
Shikotsu
A freshwater caldera lake in Hokkaido, part of Shikotsu-Toya National Park. It boasts some of the clearest water in Japan and is the country’s northernmost lake that does not freeze over in winter, due to its depth. (Source: Geological Survey of Japan).
Teletskoye
A deep, narrow lake nestled in the Altai Mountains of southern Siberia. As part of the “Golden Mountains of Altai” UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is prized for its pristine waters and dramatic, fjord-like scenery. (Source: Russian Academy of Sciences).
Dead Sea
A hypersaline lake whose shores are Earth’s lowest land-based elevation. Its extreme salinity (over 34%) makes it one of the world’s saltiest bodies of water, preventing any macroscopic life from thriving within it. (Source: Geological Survey of Israel).
Singkarak
A large tectonic lake in West Sumatra, formed by a pull-apart basin in the Great Sumatran Fault system. It is a vital resource for hydropower and is home to the endemic Bilih fish (Mystacoleucus padangensis). (Source: Indonesian limnological surveys).
Khövsgöl
Known as the “Blue Pearl of Mongolia,” this is the country’s deepest lake and holds nearly 70% of its fresh water. It is part of the same rift system as its “older sister,” Lake Baikal, to the south. (Source: Mongolian Academy of Sciences).
Karakul
A large, endorheic lake located high in the Pamir Mountains, situated within a 25-million-year-old impact crater. The lake’s water is brackish, and it remains frozen for much of the year due to its high altitude. (Source: Geological studies).
Ranau
Sumatra’s second-largest lake, this is a scenic caldera lake of tectonic and volcanic origin. It features a small island, Pulau Marisa, which is a newer volcanic cone that emerged from the center of the lake. (Source: Volcanological Survey of Indonesia).
Hazar
A tectonic rift lake in the Taurus Mountains, considered the source of the Tigris River. It is a popular tourist destination and is noted for its submerged “Sunken City,” with visible ruins dating back 4,000 years. (Source: Turkish limnological research).
Towuti
A large tectonic lake in South Sulawesi, part of the Malili Lakes system. It is an ancient lake, estimated to be 1-4 million years old, and is recognized globally for its high number of endemic fish and crustaceans. (Source: Indonesian Institute of Sciences).
Ranwu
A scenic lake in the Tibet Autonomous Region, formed when landslides blocked the Parlung Tsangpo river. Surrounded by glaciers and snow-capped peaks, its color changes with the seasons, from turquoise to a deep green. (Source: Chinese geological surveys).
Rara
The largest and deepest freshwater lake in the Nepalese Himalayas, located at an altitude of 2,990 meters. The main feature of Rara National Park, it is a Ramsar site known for its stunning natural beauty and unique flora and fauna. (Source: Nepal Dept. of National Parks).
Maninjau
A scenic caldera lake in West Sumatra, formed by a massive volcanic eruption an estimated 52,000 years ago. The lake is used for aquaculture and is a popular local tourist destination, accessed via a famous 44-hairpin-turn road. (Source: Indonesian scientific surveys).
Fuxian
China’s second-deepest freshwater lake, located in Yunnan Province. A tectonic rift lake, it is celebrated for its excellent water quality and for ancient submerged ruins discovered at its bottom, sparking archaeological interest. (Source: Yunnan Institute of Geological Sciences).
Nam Co
One of the most famous lakes in Tibet, Namtso (or Nam Co) is a high-altitude mountain salt lake. Revered as a sacred site in Tibetan Buddhism, it is renowned for its breathtaking beauty and the nearby Nyenchen Tanglha mountain range. (Source: Chinese Academy of Sciences).
Lanao
One of the 17 ancient lakes of the Philippines, located in Mindanao. It is the country’s second-largest lake and is considered the cultural and economic heart of the Maranao people, whose name means “people of the lake”. (Source: Philippine national surveys).
Biwa
The largest freshwater lake in Japan and one of the world’s oldest lakes, at over four million years old. Located in Shiga Prefecture, it has an incredibly diverse ecosystem with over 60 endemic species. (Source: Lake Biwa Environmental Research Institute).
Pangong Tso
A stunning high-altitude endorheic lake stretching across the India-China border in the Himalayas. Famous for its deep blue, brackish water that changes color with the sun, it freezes completely solid during the harsh winter. (Source: Geological Survey of India).
Sevan
The largest lake in the Caucasus region and a vital freshwater resource for Armenia. This high-altitude lake’s water level has been significantly impacted by Soviet-era irrigation projects, but restoration efforts are underway. (Source: Armenian National Academy of Sciences).
