21.08.2026 11:41
Lake Van, the world's largest soda lake, becomes a frequent destination for children living in the neighborhoods along its shore during the summer months. With the warming of the weather and the start of school holidays, the children, who spend most of their days in the lake, have their hair turn blonde due to the lake's soda-rich structure and the sun's effect.
Lake Van, Turkey's largest lake, becomes a popular spot for children living in the settlements along its shore during the summer months. Located at an altitude of 1700 meters above sea level, covering an area of 3,713 square kilometers and reaching depths of up to 451 meters in places, Lake Van draws attention not only for its natural beauties and bays but also for its soda-rich water. With the warming of the weather and schools closing for the holiday, children living in the neighborhoods along the shore of Lake Van spend most of their days swimming in the lake. The hair of children who stay in the lake's soda-rich water for a long time begins to turn blonde after a while. Experts say that in addition to the soda in the lake water, sunlight also plays a role in the color change in the hair.
'I LOVE MY BLONDE HAIR'
Miran Çikla, one of the children living in the Yaylıyaka Neighborhood of the Tuşba district, said, "We go into the lake every day. Our hair turns blonde. I love my hair being blonde." Furkan Çikla, who lives in the same neighborhood, said, "The hair of children who go into the lake here turns blonde due to the soda. Blonde hair suits us and looks better. In the winter months, our hair turns black again. When our teachers see us, they say 'You've dyed your hair' and 'Don't dye your hair.' We explain the situation to them."
DIFFERENT IN SUMMER, DIFFERENT IN WINTER
Ahmet Çikla, who lives in Yaylıyaka Neighborhood and makes a living by fishing, also said that children constantly enter the lake during the summer months. Çikla said, "As children constantly go into Lake Van, their hair turns blonde. This blondeing pleases us as well as them. Most of the children are happy that their hair turns blonde. When you see a child in the summer, you can't recognize them in the winter. Their hair is pitch black. Because they go into the lake in the summer months, their hair and appearance completely change. Of course, the hair doesn't return to its original state immediately. Over a few months and as the hair is shaved off, it returns to its old color. Our childhood was also spent in this neighborhood on the shore of Lake Van. When we went into Lake Van in our childhood, our hair would turn blonde like this too."
'THOSE WHO WASH WITH FRESH WATER DON'T HAVE THEIR HAIR CHANGED'
Ercan Güven, a business owner living in Dereağzı Neighborhood of the Gevaş district, said, "As soon as schools close in the summer months, these children come to swim. Those who wash their hair with fresh water after coming out of the lake don't see any change in their hair. The hair of others turns blonde within a month." Sefa Avşar, who lives in Dereağzı Neighborhood, said, "My hair turns blonde because I go into Lake Van. I love my hair turning blonde. During the summer holiday, we come with our friends and go into Lake Van."