Things to do in Golmud

It truly is an emerald fallen to earth, like God spilling green apple juice 🍏‼️ The scenic area is quite large, so I recommend buying a separate ticket to take the electric shuttle bus to the last stop for the best photos. There are popular photo spots there, and you can also capture the salt crystals and dragon scale patterns on the lake. The lake is deeper near the entrance; if you don't take the shuttle bus to the back, it's better to take photos at the entrance 📷. The most unique feature is the Lotus Pagoda 🪷, but it's best viewed from an aerial perspective; you won't see its shape without one. The beauty of the scenery largely depends on the weather. On a sunny day, it's incredibly clear and the colors are vibrant‼️ Be sure to check the weather forecast before you go.

We were lucky enough to have such beautiful, sunny weather this time, so I highly recommend staying inside the scenic area for multiple trips to the attractions. Arriving around 4 PM is suggested to catch the sunset. The next day is ideal for visiting all the attractions. The service was excellent. Be sure to buy the package ticket that includes the shuttle bus; entry is quick and convenient with just your ID card.

Pros: The scenery is stunning: rolling alpine meadows, the majestic Kunlun Mountains, the desolate Gobi Desert, and the occasional sight of miraculous highland treasures like Tibetan wild donkeys and camels. These constantly resonate with our souls, evoking long-forgotten poetic and distant horizons. Cons: The road is far from the city, 160 kilometers from Golmud. Most importantly, the entire route is currently under construction, making it a five-hour drive. The road is bumpy and potholed, and several vehicles suffered punctures along the way. The altitude is high, nearly 4,800 meters, so be prepared for altitude sickness.

东台吉乃尔湖，位于青海省海西蒙古族藏族自治州格尔木市境内。湖水在阳光下闪闪发光，透露着独特的蓝色，一望无际，空旷而又神秘。消失或是出现皆没有迹象，是上帝的一滴“蓝眼泪”。非常适合打卡拍照。过去十年间，东台吉乃尔湖已经出现消失多次。时隔3年，它如海市蜃楼般凭空出现在戈壁里。与众不同的蒂夫尼蓝，主要来源于锂盐。去东台交通不便，最好自驾。

This time I traveled along the coast to the west. I saw on the Internet that Queen Mother Yaochi is a must-visit attraction when going to Golmud. Because I heard that the road in the past was very bad, it took six hours to walk a hundred kilometers, so I went there with the mentality of giving it a try. I didn't expect that after I went there, I found that the road was repaired. It was a two-lane asphalt road. It started from Wuji Longfeng Palace and went west all the way. There was no speed limit throughout the journey (but it was best to drive 80 miles per hour). The tourist attractions on the road were all under construction. I didn't see people and cars along the way. The end of the road was Queen Mother Yaochi. As for the scenery, it was amazing. There were snow-capped mountains all the way, and I saw Tibetan antelopes and wild donkeys. I gave up the Tibetan antelope viewing platform in Kekexili later because I saw them here. The only shortcoming was that after arriving at Queen Mother Yaochi, I didn't stop the car, walked around, and left directly. The reason was that there were so many mosquitoes under the sun in the daytime that they stopped on the car windows. I was scared and left immediately and didn't dare to get off the car. Fortunately, the scenery on the way there was amazing, and you could stop and take a rest (no mosquitoes). Except for mosquitoes, everything else was good. Recommended! ! !

The G315 highway was under construction, so we arrived at the scenic area around 5:00 PM. We immediately entered and took a shuttle bus and electric car to the central attraction, Lotus Flower 🪷, just in time to capture the sunset. Even on the return trip, we couldn't stop to take photos of the sunset, the salt flowers, and the lake. The last bus to the scenic area left at 7:30 PM.

Kunlun Sacred Spring is located in Nachitai Town, Golmud City, Qinghai Province, at an altitude of 3,700 meters. It is the largest non-freezing natural mineral spring in the Kunlun Mountains and is known as "Glacial Dew of the Ice Mountain". The spring water gushes out after more than 20 years of underground circulation from the melting snow and ice of the Kunlun Mountains. The water temperature remains at 7°C all year round. It is rich in minerals such as strontium and has health benefits. It is also closely related to the legend of Princess Wencheng's journey to Tibet and is now an important tourist attraction on the Qinghai-Tibet Highway.

We passed by here on the way from Haixi to Golmud by car, beside the Qinghai-Tibet Highway. The driver introduced this place to us. It is said that the temple houses statues of the Queen Mother of the West, the Lady of the Nine Heavens, and the Golden Saint Mother, as well as a statue of the Tenth Panchen Lama.

Kunlun Sacred Land, a city that never sleeps, offers a journey into Kunlun culture. Throughout the streets, you can experience the cultural roots deeply rooted in the "ancestor of all mountains." Strolling through the streets, you'll experience the spectacular performances of the Queen Mother of the West's Yaochi, especially around 8 p.m., when the lights come on. The neighborhood's atmosphere is truly thoughtful.

Tuotuo River is the source of the Yangtze River. It originates from the Geladandong Glacier and is located in Tanggula Mountain Town, Haixi Prefecture, Qinghai. If you drive on the Qinghai-Tibet Highway, you have to cross the first Yangtze River Bridge, which is 4,700 meters above sea level and has beautiful scenery.