The truth about the place called "Russia's Maldives"

A lake in the Russian city of Novosibirsk has recently emerged as a popular Instagram backdrop. The lake's eye-catching blue hues are just as captivating as the most popular tropical islands. Perhaps that's why it's nicknamed the "Russian Maldives" or the "Maldives of Novosibirsk."

But the lake, with its crystal clear waters, which many people mistakenly believe to be completely natural, is actually a man-made ash dump from a nearby coal plant. The mesmerizing turquoise color is reportedly the result of dissolved calcium and metal oxides.

Although the lake is not toxic, according to the Siberian Power Generation Company, the owner of the coal plant, swimming in it is not recommended. On its social media page, the company wrote: "We beg you to stay safe and not fall into the ash pit while taking pictures! That is the biggest danger."

Despite the warning, many people still go boating or even swimming in the lake. One Instagram user named Irina said that although she also came here to "take selfies," she did not go into the water because she knew the lake was "home to the entire periodic table of chemical elements."

Hai Anh