Top 10 Best Things to Do in Golmud
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Top 10 Best Things to Do in Golmud

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Trip.Best is a collection of travel rankings that takes into account the travel choices and genuine preferences of hundres of millions of Trip.com users. It is updated monthly based on real data.
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  • Chaerhan Salt Laketop_1
    󰺂8.0
    32.64
    Golmud64.9 km from downtown
    trip best TravelHotspot logoThe magnificent Chaerhan Salt Lake reappears in a stunning scene
    Highlights:
    󰀆20-mile salt bridge across lake
    Spectacular salt crystals & unique landscape
    󱨠Saved by 112 users󱨠2636 positive reviews
    4.7/5
    M25***94M25***94

    The bus costs 60 yuan per person, and the ride is really long, haha. The colors of the scenic area are beautiful, very beautiful. You must go when the weather is good, otherwise it's not really green or emerald green.

  • Wusute Yadan Geological Parktop_2
    󰺂8.0
    Golmud>100 km from downtown
    Highlights:
    󰀆360° view of Yadan Lake
    󱨜Castle-like formations on water
    󱨠Saved by 124 users󱨠3351 positive reviews
    4.5/5
    pupu ོpupu ོ

    Absolutely stunning! You absolutely must take a speedboat and a paraglider – it's totally worth it! Otherwise, you won't see even a fraction of the beauty of the water-based Yadan landforms! These are unfiltered, real photos! But you really need to take a speedboat to see them.

  • Hoh Xil Nature Reservetop_3
    󰺂6.1
    Golmud>100 km from downtown
    Highlights:
    Join eco expeditions & research
    󱨜Tibetan antelope migration spectacle
    󱨠131 positive reviews
    4.7/5
    M28***49M28***49

    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.

  • Dongtai Ji Nai'er Lake
    4
    󰺂5.7
    Golmud>100 km from downtown
    Highlights:
    󱨜Tiffany blue & deep waters
    󰀆Tiffany blue lake & white salt
    󱨠Saved by 163 users
    4.4/5
    墨漠陌大墨漠陌大

    Dongtai Jinel Lake is located in Golmud City, Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province. The lake shimmers in the sun, revealing a unique blue, endless, empty and mysterious. There is no sign of disappearing or appearing, it is a drop of God's "blue tears". Very suitable for punching in and taking pictures. In the past decade, Dongtai Jinel Lake has disappeared many times. After 3 years, it appeared in Gobi like a mirage. The distinctive Tiffany Blue is mainly derived from lithium salt. It is inconvenient to go to Dongtai and it is best to drive by yourself.

  • Western Queen Fairyland
    5
    󰺂5.1
    Golmud>100 km from downtown
    Highlights:
    󱨜Explore the mysterious natural landscape of the alpine lake
    Watch rare birds play by the lake
    󱨠33% positive reviews
    4.7/5
    chenqw2chenqw2

    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! ! !

Best things to do in Golmud (2025)

Looking for the ultimate experiences in Golmud? From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, Golmud offers an exceptional collection of activities and attractions that cater to every type of traveler.

Whether you’re here for sightseeing, adventure, or cultural exploration, these top-rated activities promise unforgettable memories.

Top-rated things to do in Golmud

If you want to make the most of your trip, these activities deliver the full Golmud experience. Expect popular attractions, unique local experiences, and must-see spots that capture the essence of the city.

Chaerhan Salt Lake

• Golmud | 64.9 km from downtown

• : 20-mile salt bridge across lake,Spectacular salt crystals & unique landscape

Wusute Yadan Geological Park

• Golmud | >100 km from downtown

• : 360° view of Yadan Lake,Castle-like formations on water

Hoh Xil Nature Reserve

• Golmud | >100 km from downtown

• : Join eco expeditions & research,Tibetan antelope migration spectacle

Things to do for unique experiences

These activities provide memorable experiences beyond the ordinary. Enjoy cultural tours, adventure sports, guided excursions, and immersive local experiences designed for all interests.

Things to do near Golmud

If you want to explore attractions just outside Golmud, there are plenty of activities that combine scenic surroundings with convenient access to the city, perfect for day trips or short excursions.

Each of these activities offers a unique escape within 1–3 hours of Golmud, ideal for travelers who want to combine sightseeing with local experiences.

What makes things to do in Golmud special

• Iconic landmarks: Visit must-see sights that define the city.
• Local experiences: Engage in culture, crafts, and unique activities.
• Accessible adventures: Easily reachable attractions for all travelers.
• Diverse options: From relaxing experiences to adventurous outings.

Tips for booking things to do in Golmud

1. Plan ahead for popular attractions to avoid long queues.
2. Book early for guided tours or seasonal events.
3. Compare prices and packages on Trip.com for exclusive deals and bundled experiences.
4. Consider weekday visits for a quieter and more personalized experience.

Experience the best things to do in Golmud

Ready to explore the best of Golmud? Discover Trip.Best's curated list of things to do and experience adventure, culture, and unforgettable memories.

Book your perfect activities on Trip.com today, where excitement and discovery awaits.

What Best Things to Do are there in Golmud?
These are all Best Things to Do in Golmud:Chaerhan Salt Lake, Wusute Yadan Geological Park, Hoh Xil Nature Reserve, Dongtai Ji Nai'er Lake, Western Queen Fairyland
What are some highly-rated Best Things to Do in Golmud?
Some highly-rated Best Things to Do in Golmud include:Chaerhan Salt Lake:4.7, Wusute Yadan Geological Park:4.5, Hoh Xil Nature Reserve:4.7, Dongtai Ji Nai'er Lake:4.4, Western Queen Fairyland:4.7
At what locations in Golmud can Best Things to Do in Golmud be found?
The Best Things to Do in Golmud are mainly located in:Chaerhan Salt Lake:Golmud, Wusute Yadan Geological Park:Golmud, Hoh Xil Nature Reserve:Golmud, Dongtai Ji Nai'er Lake:Golmud, Western Queen Fairyland:Golmud
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