Issyk Kul Lake In Kyrgyzstan is the important lake. Issyk Kul is an endorheic lake (one that retains water, allowing no outflow to other bodies of water) in the northern Tian Shan mountains in eastern Kyrgyzstan. It is the ninth-largest lake in the world by volume and the second-largest saline lake, after the Caspian Sea. Although it is surrounded by snow-capped peaks, it never freezes; hence its name, which means ""warm lake"" in Kyrgyz. Some 118 rivers and streams flow into the lake; the largest being the Djyrgalan and Tyup. Issyk Kul Lake is fed by springs, including many hot springs, and snow melt-off.