The truth about the place called "the Maldives of Russia"

A lake located in the Russian city of Novosibirsk has recently emerged as a popular Instagrammable spot. Its striking blue color is just as captivating as the most popular coastal areas in the tropics. Perhaps that's why it's nicknamed the "Maldives of Russia" or the "Maldives of Novosibirsk."

But this lake, with its crystal-clear waters that many mistakenly believe to be entirely natural, is actually an artificial ash dump from a nearby coal mine. The captivating turquoise color is reportedly the result of dissolved calcium and metal oxides.

Although the Siberian Power Generation Company, the owner of the coal-fired plant, claims the lake is not toxic, swimming in it is strictly prohibited. On its social media page, the company wrote: "We beg you to stay safe and avoid falling into the ash pit while taking photos! That is the greatest danger."

Despite the warning, many people still go boating or even snorkeling in this lake. An Instagram user named Irina said that although she had also come here to take selfies, she didn't go into the water because she knew the lake was "a concentration point for an entire periodic table of chemical elements."

Hai Anh