Haixi Prefecture Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Jun)

Salt Lake

Caka Salt Lake, situated in Qinghai, China, is a natural wonder renowned for its ethereal beauty. Spanning over 100 square kilometers, it's one of the largest saltwater lakes in the region. What sets Caka apart is its striking pink hue during certain seasons, attributed to the presence of microorganisms and high salinity. The lake's landscape is surreal, with vast salt flats extending to the horizon, forming mesmerizing hexagonal patterns. Caka Salt Lake is also ecologically significant, providing habitat for migratory birds and supporting unique flora and fauna adapted to extreme salinity. Tourists are drawn not only to its surreal landscapes but also to the cultural richness of the Tibetan and Mongolian communities in the surrounding areas, making Caka Salt Lake a destination of natural and cultural intrigue. #timetotravel #China #instatravel

A Fairy lake surrounded by snowy mountains

Chaka Salt lake is a naturally crystallized saline lake surrounded by snow capped mountains in Haixi Prefecture, Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, China. It is located at an altitude of approx 3000m about 300km from Xining. The combination of the white lake with reflection of the sky in the water, the distant snowy mountain range, the fresh wind makes it a magical place. I went there in May. It snowed in the evening the day I reached Chaka town while the prediction was 6-12 deg. I carried a puffer jacket for just in case and that saved my life 😄. So, take your jackets no matter which time of the year you decide to visit 🤭

Uncovering Chaka Salt Lake

#mytripvlog Take a look at what you can expect to experience at Chaka Salt Lake in Qinghai Province!

Chaka salt lake - winter landscape in summer

We spent about a week in Qinghai, mostly at Qinghai lake as we visited local horse racing there. I liked Chaka lake better than Qinghai lake (as I still don't understand why Qinghai lake entry tickets are so overpriced) We came to Chaka in the evening by bus from Qinghai lake and stayed in a hotel. In the early morning I walked about 3-4km to the Scenic area witnessing wildlife such as hares and ducks. At the entrance I requested information in English and there was an English speaking employee to give details which were quite helpful. The path in the area is about 5km long, there are some cafés at the beginning and special shoes and fancy dresses rental somewhere in the middle. Visiting Chaka was one of the highlights of this summer! There are 2 Scenic areas, I've been to one only (should have visited both) It's not easy to find a taxi in the area, so the English speaking employee helped to arrange it in the evening #chakasaltlake #chaka

Northwest Trip

D1: Xining - Laji Mountain - Riyue Mountain - Qinghai Lake - Delingha (Stay) D2: Delingha - Chaka Salt Lake - Dachaidan Emerald Lake - Dachaidan (Stay) D3: Dachaidan - 315U-shaped Highway - Heidu Mountain - Dunhuang Night Market - Dunhuang (Stay) D4: Dunhuang Mogao Caves - Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring - Dunhuang (Stay) D5: Dunhuang - Jiayuguan (optional) - Zhangye Danxia Landform - Zhangye (Stay) D6: Zhangye - Qilian Grassland - Xining (Return)

Green Treasure: The vitality and energy of Chaerhan Salt Lake

Green｜Chaerhan Salt Lake Green, as a color, is located in the middle of the spectrum, with a wavelength range of 517-570 nanometers. In nature, green is widely present, such as in leaves, grasslands, oases, etc. In human culture, green is usually associated with concepts like life, health, vitality, nature, peace, etc. Chaerhan Salt Lake is located in Haixi Mongol and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province, China. It is the largest salt lake in China and the second largest in the world. The area of Chaerhan Salt Lake is about 5856 square kilometers, and its altitude is about 2670 meters. Chaerhan Salt Lake is an inland lake, with its water mainly coming from the melting snow of the surrounding mountains and groundwater. The salt content of the lake water is extremely high, reaching 32%, making Chaerhan Salt Lake one of the most important salt chemical bases in China. The green of Chaerhan Salt Lake may be related to the microorganisms, minerals, and light in the lake water. Under sunlight, the microorganisms and minerals in the lake water may appear green. In addition, the green of Chaerhan Salt Lake may also be affected by the surrounding ecological environment, such as grasslands, oases, etc.

Chaerhan Salt-Lake in Qinghai Province

The Chaerhan Salt Lake is located 60 kilometers away from the northern Golmud city, more than 110 kilometers away from the southern Chaidamu. The salt lake is more than 160 kilometers long from east to west and 20-40 kilometers wide from south to north. The thickness of the salt lake is 2-20 meters. The Chaerhan Salt Lake is located in the desert; the weather is dry and hot. With the long-time sunburn and windburn it's necessary to bring sun protection. 🏴 Tourists can rent cars to get to the Chaerhan Salt Lake along the No. 215 National Highway. Hotels or travel agencies might also organized tours. Adventurours without driving license can try to hitchhike. 🎫 Entrance including bus to the final destination inside the lake: 100元/80元 students ✨ You can also rent bikes (if they're not broken) or drones at the final destination. #dessert#hiking#roadtrip#summervacation

[Qalhan Salt Lake in Qinghai] Zarhan Salt Lake is the largest salt lake in China and one of the most famous salt lakes in the world. The picture taken in my picture is the Wanzhang Salt Bridge, which is a road made of salt and extends into the lake. Its hardness is comparable to that of the asphalt road. We can see from the sky that there are white crystals on both sides of the salt bridge. The lake is transparent and green. The scenery here is picturesque. The sunny Chaerhan Salt Lake has also become a good place for photography. Note: Sun protection measures should be prepared. It is recommended to bring a hat and sunglasses. You can drive in by yourself. In principle, only visiting documents are allowed to enter. You need to communicate in advance.

Qinghai Emerald Lake The depth of the Qaidam Basin, the plateau salt lake at an altitude of more than 3,000 meters, like a gem falling into the human world, come here to appreciate it from the perspective of God, one by one The salt lake is like a piece of emerald embedded in the earth. The green is presented here to the fullest, deep or shallow, or thick or light...

The Place Where Dreams Begin.

Emerald Lake, the winter Emerald Lake is different from its usual scenery. The winter Emerald Lake is not as crowded as in summer, with fewer visitors, making it less noisy. What remains are the blue sky, white clouds, snow-capped mountains, and the emerald green lake water reflecting each other. At a glance, all these elements form an extremely beautiful picture. The Emerald Lake in Dachaidan covers an area of about 15 square kilometers, consisting of salt pools of various sizes, shapes, and depths. The lake area of Dachaidan Emerald Lake is dry, cold, and windy, with an annual average temperature of 1.1°C, an average temperature of -14°C in January, and an average temperature of 14°C in July. The water of Dachaidan Emerald Lake comes from the Qaidam Mountains. Due to its high salt content, it does not freeze throughout the year. The lake is rich in minerals of different concentrations, resulting in various colors. The inner layer of the lake is emerald blue, the outer layer is milky blue, and the right side shows an olive green color, creating a colorful spectacle.

Emerald Lake | One of the most photogenic salt lakes without a doubt

Ticket price: Usually 50 yuan, but I happened to catch a half-price tourism day, so only 25 yuan Train ticket: 60 yuan The train takes you directly to the deepest part of the scenic area without stopping, and on the return trip, you can take the train and stop at each station to enjoy the sights Do you need to buy a train ticket? If you have enough time and good physical strength, you can walk there directly. The lake at the very inside is very picturesque, and the lake at the third-to-last station is also very beautiful, while the other stations are just average Which station is the most photogenic? I recommend taking photos at the second station, which is also the third-to-last station. There are fewer elderly people there, and you can take some great shots. The salt by the lake is very white and beautiful, and it's a must to bring a drone for photography This time I took 400 photos with my drone and phone, all of them are too beautiful At first, when I started taking a few photos, I felt that the salt lakes were similar, and Emerald Lake seemed ordinary, but when I went home at night and transferred the photos, I discovered that Emerald Lake is absolutely stunning, the green is too beautiful. Although each lake is not very big, the aerial photography is very photogenic This time I visited Dongtaijiner Lake, Emerald Lake, and Chaka Salt Lake. How should I put it, each has its own beauty, and the beauty is unique. The most beautiful in terms of color is Emerald Lake, which is also the most photogenic. Chaka Salt Lake is relatively large, and it feels better to look at, with more complete facilities, and you can take many beautiful photos without a drone. Dongtaijiner Lake is the most beautiful, with a kind of tranquil and stunning beauty, whether it's for photography or just for the experience, it's the most beautiful. I suggest visiting all of them, and Emerald Lake is really worth the visit If I upload photos, I can't upload videos, but videos are what can truly capture the beauty of Emerald Lake

How can a life journey be complete without a visit to Qinghai Lake|Super value

|Super value. "The Great Northwest Loop of Qinghai and Gansu - A Must-Visit Series in a Lifetime"🔥 Because one trip around the loop is equivalent to traveling 10 times👍👍👍 💧Qinghai Lake Qinghai Lake is particularly large, 🚗the driver even specially stopped us at a place that does not charge an entrance fee, there are many white yaks by the lake for photos, 20 yuan per person, 🐮the yaks stand in the lake, very photogenic👍👍 💧Chaka Salt Lake: After taking a small train in, there were a lot of people, 👣we walked in, took a small path with no one around, 📸taking photos was also very convenient, and the brine was very clear, not too far to walk.🎐 💧Emerald Lake: Due to the presence of chemical residues, it appears green🌊similar to Chaka Salt Lake, there is also salt on the lakeside, you can also capture reflections, the sunset is particularly beautiful🏜 💧Water Yadan: Yadan is a type of landform, ⛰️hills left by crustal movements, Water Yadan means there are Yadan landforms in the water, ✨like camels hidden in the water, only the humps are exposed.🎏 ❤D1 | Arrival in Xining from various places—Overnight in Xining🛕 🧡D2 | Xining-Colorful Danxia-Overnight in Zhangye⛪ 💛D3 | Zhangye-Jiayuguan-Overnight in Dunhuang🕍 💚D4 | Dunhuang-Mogao Caves-Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring-Overnight in Dunhuang🏭 💙D5 | Dunhuang-Dachaidan-Emerald Lake-Overnight in Dachaidan🏫 💜D6 | Dachaidan-315 U-shaped Highway-Water Yadan-Overnight in Delingha🏠 🤎D7 | Delingha-Chaka Salt Lake-Qinghai Lake-Overnight in Xining🏛 D8 | Free day in Xining, must-visit food street🥘 🛎🛎Friends departing from Xining must buy all the food they need for the trip in Xining🥙, including water, because the prices of the shops along the way will get higher and higher, and the choices will be more limited, especially for fruits🍎, this is all advice from our guide😁😁

Biggest salt water lake in China

Qinghai Lake, nestled in China's Qinghai Province, is the largest saltwater lake in East Asia, covering approximately 4,600 square kilometers. Its beauty lies in its serene, azure waters and the surrounding Tibetan Plateau's majestic landscapes. At an elevation of 3,205 meters, the lake is a vital ecological hotspot, home to diverse avian species and unique aquatic life. The lake holds cultural significance for Tibetans and the local Tibetan-Qiang people. It's a site for various religious ceremonies and festivals. However, environmental concerns, like shrinking water levels due to climate change and pollution, pose significant challenges to its preservation. Conservation efforts are underway to safeguard this remarkable natural treasure. #timetotravel #China #nature

Turquoise Eye of Qinghai Province

Tibetan plateau AKA "Roof of the World" is the highest in the world and Qinghai lake (青海湖) is the largest saltwater lake in China. 🌊Have you noticed that we're speaking in superlatives? It's not a coincidence. Qinghai lake (青海湖) definitely deserves to be be called the sea of the West due to its size, vastness, and the fact that it resembles a sea in certain aspects. It's a saline waters boasts incredible variety of wildlife at an altitude of 3205m. "On the plateau's crest, a jewel so grand, Qinghai Lake's waters stretch across the land. Azure skies embrace its tranquil face, A mirror of nature's serene embrace." 😍 Tips and tricks: If you want to visit Qinghai lake without any tour operators or rental cars you can easily get there from the Xining bus station (西宁汽车客运中心站). Several buses go to Qinghaihu (hu = lake) every day starting from 8AM. 🚌The drop off location is called 青海湖国家重点风景名胜区. That's the closest scenic area to the Xining city. One way ticket costs 60RMB. 💸The bus will wait for the passengers at the scenic area's parking lot for around 3 hours before heading back to the Xining bus station. To make sure you have a seat you can buy round way tickets at the Xining bus station. Total cost will be 120RMB per person. 🙃 #summerbreak #SpinTheWorld #qinghailake #xining #summervacation

Qinghai lake - the biggest in China

Only taking into consideration that it's the biggest, it's worth visiting. Yet I think Scenic area tickets are overpriced. There's not much to do in the area apart from taking pictures, riding a boat (3 types, start from 100yuan) and feeding seagulls. Still it's worth visiting, though it feels much much better if you drive a car in Qinghai (we took a shared taxi from Xining to Qinghai lake) and overall had pretty much headache with transportation in this province. Almost all the wild areas around are privately owned and you need to pay to enter (or, say, ride a horse, 200yuan per 3km round-trip to the lake🙄). This numerous fences and herds of tourists made it difficult for me to fully enjoy the beauty of the lake and surrounding landscapes (I just ran into the mountains 😂) . Also it was pretty hard to find a hotel accommodating foreigners (beginning of August). Only Chinese food (quite pricey) Still it was a great trip, I'd like to come back driving a car😁 #qinghai #qinghailake

The Beautiful Qinghai Lake

We couldn’t believe our eyes when we first saw Qinghai Lake. We were cycling down from the main road, through fields of grass and bright yellow rapeseed flowers when we first caught a glimpse of the blue water. For a split second, we forgot where we were and thought we had somehow made it to the sea! #mytripvlog

Ulan Buh Desert Summer Tour, don't miss the Wusute Water Yadan

Wusute Water Yadan in Haixi is a unique natural landscape. In the vast Gobi desert, Yadan landforms blend with the azure lakes. Looking around, these mounds standing in the water form islands scattered like stars across the sky. Their shapes are varied, resembling a fleet setting sail or a herd of horses galloping. The beauty of the Yadan in the clear water creates a unique spectacle of water Yadan. 📍Address: 315 National Road, Golmud City, Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture 🚗About transportation: It is recommended to drive or charter a car. The Water Yadan is about 240 kilometers away from Da Qaidam, and about 50 kilometers past the Dongtai toll station, located beside the 315 National Road. 🎫About tickets: Tickets are 60 yuan per person, and the sightseeing car is 60 yuan per person (round trip) Opening hours: Open all year from 08:30 to 18:00, with the last admission at 18:00 🏠About food and accommodation: 👉There are accommodation facilities such as the Wusute Yadan Hotel nearby, providing a comfortable living environment. 👉For dining, you can taste local specialties such as Qinghai yogurt, hand-grabbed lamb, etc. ❤️Attractions: The best time to visit Water Yadan is from May to October when the climate is suitable and the scenery is beautiful. 👉Take a shuttle bus into the scenic area, and you can get on and off at each attraction at will. 👉The main attractions include: 'Looking Sea Platform, Penglai Fairy Island, Western Sea Fleet, Golden Beach.' ❤️Other special activities: Horse riding🐎 (100/person) Small motorcycle🏍️ (150/vehicle) Large motorcycle🏍️ (300/vehicle) Off-road vehicle🚙 (600/vehicle, 4 people) Speedboat🛥️ (160/person, round trip 20 minutes) Wusute Water Yadan Geological Park

Wusute Water Yadan

The Water Yadan is composed of Yadan landforms and the surface of Yake Lake, belonging to the largest Yadan landform group - the South Baxian Yadan landform group. In this area, the Yadan mounds are 10 - 25 meters high, with the tallest reaching up to 50 meters. They present a rich and varied morphology, which is a rare sight in the world for large and medium-sized, dense, and uniquely shaped Yadan landform landscapes. The water source of Yake Lake comes from the glacial snow mountains above the Kunlun Mountains to the west. The lake has a high salt content, and the entire lake area offers a unique scenery, resembling a mirror of the sky; the water here is slightly salty, with salt-tolerant plants in the shallow waters by the shore. Wild ducks and water birds often forage and dwell here, especially during the summer and autumn seasons, when thousands of wild ducks and various water birds gather, hence the local name Yake Lake. The Yadan and Yake Lake blend together, with the salt lake, Yadan, and blue sky reflecting each other, creating a spectacular water world. Some resemble sea turtles playing in the water, ingots presented to guests, immortals pointing the way, and fleets on the sea, etc., which tourists vividly describe as 'Lake of Hundreds of Birds and Thousands of Islands.' It is also the only known underwater Yadan landform area on Earth to date. In the Water Yadan area in the center of the Qaidam, the climate is variable and the scenery is endless. Sometimes the sky is blue with white clouds, the water clear and the grass green; sometimes dark clouds roll, sand rises and rain falls; at times, clouds part to reveal rainbows, and the slanting sun warms the shore; at other times, the setting sun and evening glow reflect red on the water and sky. It is said that at night, the Water Yadan is tranquil, with a vast sky, as if merging into the universe, conversing with the firmament. When the wind blows through the Yadan, it sounds like ghosts crying and wolves howling, hence it was once also known as 'Devil City.' Starting from July 6, 2018, the Dachaidan Water Yadan Geological Park began selling tickets to the public. The temporary ticket price is 60 yuan per person. The sightseeing car ticket price is 60 yuan per person (round trip). Parking is free within 30 minutes. Passenger cars with 7 seats or less are charged 10 yuan. Passenger cars with more than 7 seats are charged 20 yuan. Discount policy: Active-duty military personnel, disabled persons, retired military officers and disabled persons, seniors aged 70 years (including 70) and above, low-income households, laid-off workers, and children under 1.2 meters (including 1.2 meters) are granted free admission with valid documents. Minors and students, local residents, and seniors aged 60 years (including 60) and above can receive a 50% discount on the ticket price upon presenting valid personal documents.

The Moments are going crazy! It's really not abroad! It's the great Northwest

Location: Ulan Us Desert Geological Park in Haixi Prefecture, Qinghai Province, also known as the Water Yadan. When it comes to the great Northwest, the first thing that comes to mind is the arid and rainless Gobi Desert. Then, in such an extremely arid desert area, numerous colorful lakes have been nurtured. It's hard to describe the feeling when, after driving for hours and crossing hundreds of kilometers, a boundless expanse of azure sea suddenly appears before your eyes~ 'Yadan' is a Uighur word, meaning 'a small hill with steep walls,' also known as 'wind erosion forest,' which is a unique type of wind erosion landform. Yadan landforms are relatively common in the Northwest, but the Water Yadan is truly a unique existence, with countless large and small Yadan scattered on the blue lake surface like warships in the sea. The azure blue water, flocks of seagulls, you might think you've arrived at some island. ~ It's really amazing how nature's vitality, in the vast expanse next door, has nurtured such a colorful landscape ~~~~~~~~~

【Annual Review】Do you know these ten popular and unpopular attractions in Haixi Prefecture, Qinghai Province?

❗️In the summer of 2023, we spent half a month on a self-driving tour in Haixi Prefecture, Qinghai Province. Next, let's review these ten popular and unpopular attractions for everyone. It can be said that these are the essence of Haixi Prefecture❗️ 1️⃣Dachaidan Emerald Lake Pictures 1-3: 🌟Highlights: This is a salt lake that changes color! On sunny days, it presents an emerald color, on cloudy days, it presents a white jade color, and when night falls, it reflects the color of the sky at that time! 📍Detailed address: About 5 kilometers west of Dachaidan Town, directly under Haixi Prefecture, Qinghai Province. 2️⃣"Blood of the Earth" Picture 4: 🌟Highlights: The river channel next to the highway contains sulfur elements, so it appears red when the light is good, and the river channel is like a blood vessel, so it is vividly compared to the "blood of the earth", of course, you need to take aerial photography to see such a scene! 📍Detailed address: 755-757 kilometers of National Highway 315 in Haixi Prefecture, Qinghai Province 3️⃣Wusute Yardang Geological Park Picture 5 🌟Highlights: What kind of scene will the Yardang landform present after being flooded? Anyway, I saw a lot of "aircraft carriers" and various "warships" here, like a huge fleet waiting for your "review". 📍Detailed address: About 250 kilometers west of Dachaidan in Haixi Prefecture, Qinghai Province, next to National Highway 315. 4️⃣Nanbaxian Yardang Pictures 6-7: 🌟Highlights: The mysterious Yardang landform group where few people set foot. Because G215 passes through the center, most vehicles and tourists can easily go deep into the core area of the Yardang landform to watch. Of course, this is also a free location for shooting big movies! 📍Detailed address: About 100 kilometers west of Dachaidan in Haixi Prefecture, Qinghai Province. 5️⃣Ebolian Yardang Picture 8: 🌟Highlights: The Yardang landform landscape that looks most like the "World of Warcraft" with various shapes, and the difficulty of reaching it makes it even more mysterious! Off-road enthusiasts can experience the fun of crossing here, and photographers can freely compose big movies here! 📍Detailed address: About 80 kilometers west of Lenghu Town in Haixi Prefecture, Qinghai Province, deep in the desert! 6️⃣Lenghu Mars Camp Picture 9: 🌟Highlights: This can be said to be the place on earth that looks most like Mars. The panoramic view of the opposite Ebolian Yardang makes people feel like they are on an alien planet, and the brilliant Milky Way at night is likely to refresh your understanding of the starry sky! 📍Detailed address: Opposite to Ebolian in Lenghu Town, Haixi Prefecture, Qinghai Province. 7️⃣Mangya Emerald Lake Picture 10: 🌟Highlights: The color is the same as that of Dachaidan Emerald Lake. The only difference is that the area of the emerald lake here is really large! So large that it is endless emerald green! 📍Detailed address: South side of Mangya City, Haixi Prefecture, Qinghai Province. 8️⃣Aiken Spring Picture 11: 🌟Highlights: This is the largest spring eye I have ever seen, and the "most beautiful" spring water landscape. Because the spring water contains certain substances, it causes the area around the spring eye to be barren for hundreds of meters and all dyed red and yellow! It is very appropriate to describe it as the "eye of the devil"! 📍Detailed address: About 20 kilometers west of Mangya City, Haixi Prefecture, Qinghai Province. 9️⃣Kunlun Mountain Picture 12: 🌟Highlights: The best place to appreciate the scenery of Kunlun Mountain. The Yuzhu Peak here is 6178 meters above sea level, which is the highest peak in the eastern section of the Kunlun Mountains. The towering Kunlun will let you understand what is the "ancestor of all mountains"! 📍Detailed address: Next to National Highway 109 in Golmud City, Haixi Prefecture, Qinghai Province. 🔟Kekexili Picture 13: 🌟Highlights: Here you can watch the "highland elves" Tibetan antelope in a reasonable and legal way. If you are lucky, you can also touch the cute "little elf". When you come here, you have come to the mysterious Kekexili. 📍Detailed address: Sonandajie Protection Station, National Highway 109, Golmud City, Haixi Prefecture, Qinghai Province.