Water Yadan Geopark

If self-driving travel What is the first city that comes to your mind? The demon wind that never stops in the valley. Polished into the most stunning devil's city of Ebo Liang. Here is Qinghai, with high mountain grasslands, desert lakes. God did not spill the color palette, but left the colors in the world. Is that the emerald scenery that attracts countless people, the place you most want to check in...?

❗️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.

Recommended reason: Wusute Water Yadan is located in the hinterland of Qaidam Basin, which is the result of millions of years of geological movement and time and space changes, and has bred and formed the largest, most spectacular, and unique Yadan community in the world. The Yadan has a rich and varied form, scattered among the lakes, the rippling lake reflects the thousands of Yadan, the red Yadan and the blue lake embrace each other, beautiful. This is also one of the best places to shoot sunrise, sunset and starry sky, and it is also an ideal place for outdoor cross-country (there are four-wheel drive off-road vehicles in the scenic area for deep shooting, tickets need to be purchased separately). Scenic address: G315 (Xisha Line) of Dachaidan Administrative Committee, Haixi Mongolian Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province Ticket: Adult ticket 60 yuan/person, student discount ticket, free ticket for over 60 years old; sightseeing car ticket 60 yuan/person. Tour route: Take the sightseeing car to Wanghaitai Wharf → Penglai Fairy Island (Pirate Ship) → West Sea Fleet → Golden Beach → Take the car back to the sightseeing car station Play time: one day Play season: May-September, especially suitable for summer play. Precautions: 1) It is not open from October to April every year, please pay attention to the closing time of the scenic spot. 2) There are hotels in the scenic area. If you want to take pictures of sunrise, morning or evening, sunset, it is recommended to stay in the hotel in the scenic area, which is convenient for morning and evening shooting. 2) The sightseeing car in the scenic area usually stops at 3-4 stations, namely Wanghaitai Wharf, Penglai Fairy Island, and West Sea Fleet. If you want to see more beautiful scenery and have ample time, it is recommended to take the sightseeing car to Wanghaitai Wharf first, and then walk along the lake (in fact, you can see between the stations at a glance). 3) There is a "Sea Turtle Bay" along the main road of the scenic area. There are fewer tourists there (mostly hotel guests, the scenic area sightseeing car does not have this attraction), it is recommended to go there if you have time, it is definitely a scenic spot for taking beautiful photos. 4) If you choose to walk, it is recommended to wear travel shoes or light shoes. 5) There are snack streets next to the sightseeing car in the scenic area and Wanghaitai Wharf, and there are no shops elsewhere. It is recommended to bring your own mineral water, bread and snacks. Please throw the mineral water bottles and snack packaging in the trash can. 6) The ultraviolet rays here are strong, sunglasses, sun hats, sunscreen, etc. are all necessary items.

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.

Driving for more than two hours along the G315 National Road from Dachaidan Town, passing through Dongtaijinaer Lake, you will arrive at the Water Yadan. There was no water here originally, but due to a flash flood, the floodwater stayed in this area, also known as Duck Lake, forming this unique water Yadan landscape in the world. The water of the Water Yadan comes from the Taijinaer River. The magical Yadan landscape and the deep blue lake water complement each other, and you can't help but feel the beauty of nature when you are in it. Travel tips ✅Ticket price: 120 yuan (60 yuan for the ticket + 60 yuan for the sightseeing electric car). 🚩Inside entertainment: The development inside the scenic area is also quite mature, with four stations: Sea View Platform, Penglai Fairy Island, West Sea Fleet, and Golden Beach. It takes about fifteen minutes to enter the Sea View Platform from the entrance of the scenic area, and the wind on the way is very strong. There are also many entertainment projects inside the scenic area, such as camel riding, beach off-road, speed boats, etc. 📍About the Eye of Yadan: The Eye of Yadan is still inside the scenic area. To get there, you need to take a beach off-road vehicle for about 150 yuan per person. Personally, I suggest that if the weather is not good, it is not worth going. It's not as good as it looks online. 🏠Accommodation: There is a good hotel inside the scenic area, which is the Urho Yadan Hotel. You can also stay in Dachaidan Town, but the room price is very high during the peak season, and rooms are hard to find, so you need to book early. ⌚️Play time: Half a day is enough, and 2 hours is also possible if you are fast.

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 ~~~~~~~~~

Geographical location: The Water Yadan landform group is located in the Xitai area of Dachaidan Executive Committee, Haixi Prefecture, Qinghai Province, close to the 315 national highway line. It is an important node in the circular tourism of Xining-Qinghai Lake-Chaka Salt Lake-Water Yadan-Dunhuang-Jiayuguan-Zhangye, with important traffic and tourism location advantages. Landform features: The formation of the Water Yadan landform group is a magnificent landscape formed by the lake water under the long-term desert and Gobi weathering conditions. Because the terrain here is relatively low, equivalent to the lake center, under the dual effects of atmospheric thermal effects and the crustal movement of the Qaidam Basin, the lake water from places like Qinghai Lake flows into this Yadan through the underground, forming a spectacular Water Yadan. Natural landscape: The Water Yadan Scenic Area is famous for its unique Yadan landform, rippling lake water, blue sky and white clouds, and charming sunset scenery. Here, tourists can feel the perfect combination of desert and lake, as well as the magic and magnificence of nature.

The Water Yardang is located within the jurisdiction of the Dachaidan Administrative Committee in Haixi Prefecture, Qinghai Province, and is a unique water yardang landscape. It is the only water yardang landscape in the world, formed by the gradual submersion of the yardang group on the northern edge due to the rise of the Jinni'er Lake, creating a unique water yardang landscape. The lake water here is slightly salty, and the aquatic plants in the lake are lush, attracting a large number of water birds and yellow ducks, so the locals also call it Duck Lake. To avoid the crowd, you can start from Dachaidan and choose a less traveled route. Among them, Route 1 is from Dachaidan to the G3011 expressway, passing Yuka to Nanbaxian, then along the S210 to Sebei, then to the G315 to Dongtai Jinni'er, and then to a place with a telecom tower, diagonally opposite there is a iron gate, through the iron gate you can find the tire marks, follow the tire marks you can drive to the lake. This route can pass through the Nanbaxian Devil City, cross the Yardang landscape for about 30 kilometers, and the road conditions are very good, cars can also go. In addition, you can also choose to start from Golmud or Xitai, which is closer to the Water Yardang. The Golmud Water Yardang guide mentions that the Water Yardang is 340 kilometers east of Delingha, 200 kilometers from Dachaidan, 310 kilometers south of Golmud City, 350 kilometers west of Mangya Town, 500 kilometers north of Dunhuang, and close to the 315 national road line. You can choose to fly from Shanghai to Golmud, and then drive to the Water Yardang locally. As for accommodation, where to stay in the hotels around the Water Yardang? You can choose the Yibeiros Tower Luxury Wilderness Resort Hotel in the scenic area, which is the first in China and the only water yardang immersive luxury wilderness resort hotel in the world. The hotel is located in the Wusute (Water) Yardang Geological Park, with over 200 unique off-road tent rooms, making it the best choice for self-driving travelers, outdoor enthusiasts and family vacationers. By choosing less traveled routes and accommodation locations, you can avoid the crowd and appreciate the beauty of the Water Yardang from a different perspective.

🚶‍♀️How can you not go to the water Yadan when you come to Qinghai Most of the Yadan landforms discovered in the world exist in extremely arid areas, which are also Yadan landform groups 🔺But the scenery of the water Yadan is completely different from the land Yadan. The magical Ussuri Water Yadan does not need any filter for the entire scenic area. The unique stunning beauty in the world is magical and mysterious, deep and distant That kind of silence and ethereal Only those who have been here can feel it. 💦Go to the Ussuri Water Yadan Scenic Area You must go to find the hidden Yadan's eye It is said that the Yadan's eye will be greener when the weather gets hotter