[2024 Mangya Attraction] Travel Guide for Mangya Emerald Lake (Updated Dec)
No.8 of Best Things to Do in Haixi Prefecture
Lakes
Address:
Mangya Administrative Committee of Haixi Mongolian Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture
Opening times:
Open today at 08:30-19:00Opening Soon
Recommended sightseeing time:
2-3 hours
You have to see it to believe it!
Hey guys👫, today I want to share with you the Emerald Lake in Qinghai, which is breathtakingly beautiful😍!
📍Location and Overview:
Emerald Lake is located in Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province, and includes several beautiful places such as Dachaidan Emerald Lake and Mangya Emerald Lake. Dachaidan Emerald Lake is a salt lake landscape formed in the salt lake mining area of the former Dachaidan Chemical Plant, while Mangya Emerald Lake is an artificial salt lake in Mangya City. They are like dazzling pearls scattered on the land of Qinghai, shining with charming brilliance in the sunlight.
🌈Dreamy Colors:
The color of the lake water here is simply amazing👏! Due to the different concentrations of minerals in the salt lake, the lake water presents a variety of colors under the sunlight, such as emerald green, mint blue, amber yellow, and milk white. From a high vantage point, the salt lakes of different sizes and shapes look like carefully carved emeralds, ambers, and turquoise inlaid on the earth, so unreal and beautiful, as if they were God's overturned palette.
📸Great Photo Spot:
At Emerald Lake, you can take amazing photos📷! Standing by the lake, with the lake water as the background, any random shot looks like a blockbuster. The lake water is crystal clear, reflecting the blue sky, white clouds, and distant snow-capped mountains, like a beautiful painting. There are also large areas of "sky mirror" here, with shallow water and hard salt, making it feel like you are in a fairyland when taking photos.
✨Unique Experience:
Stroll along the lakeside, feel the breeze brushing your face, bringing a refreshing breath, and making you feel particularly comfortable😌. The majestic snow-capped mountains in the distance echo with the lake water, forming a magnificent landscape painting.
💡Travel Tips:
- Sun Protection: The UV rays in Qinghai are strong, so be sure to take sun protection measures, such as sunscreen, sunglasses, and sun hats.
- Keep Warm: The temperature difference between day and night is large, so remember to bring a jacket and keep warm in the morning and evening.
- Safety: The salt content of the salt lake is high, so do not put your hands in the lake water to avoid skin damage.
- Transportation: If you are driving, pay attention to the road conditions and plan your route in advance; you can also choose to rent a car or join a group tour.
In short, Qinghai's Emerald Lake is a place worth visiting, its beauty is beyond words, and you have to experience it yourself to truly appreciate its charm💕.
TravelerJournals
Northwest China Leisure Tour 23.
September 29, 2024
Day 39: Ruoqiang - Mangya Emerald Lake - China Railway No. 5 Engineering Group
On the way from Ruoqiang to Mangya, you will pass by the Lop Nur Wild Camel National Nature Reserve (there is a sign). However, due to the speed and distance, it is difficult to take good photos. The distance from Milan Service Area to Mangya City is nearly 300 km, and it is a no-man's land, so remember to fill up your tank. It was raining and snowing at Shitougou Bridge, and the temperature was 1°C. The rain and snow fell on the windshield, making a slight "rustling" sound, like a gentle chant of nature, which made me feel peaceful.
Mangya Emerald Lake is located on the eastern edge of Gasi Lake, a beautiful man-made lake. The salt lake has been mined for many years, forming pits of different depths. Due to the different concentrations of minerals, the lake water presents a variety of colors, including light blue, emerald green, and dark blue. The salt in Emerald Lake is as white as mutton fat, and the water is as green as jade, like an emerald inlaid in the Gobi Desert. There are several photo spots, such as the "salt" road, "salt" viewing platform, "salt flowers", transparent boats, and romantic bridges. Walk on the saltiest road and enjoy the most beautiful scenery.
At Emerald Lake, you can not only enjoy the pure and clear lake water, but also look far into the brown mountains with folds - Hero Ridge. Hero Ridge and the white and green Emerald Lake complement each other, adding a touch of tenderness to the Mangya Silk Road post station where Zhang Qian, an envoy of the Han Dynasty, passed by.
After leaving the gas station at Old Mangya (the intersection of G315 and G318), we planned to stay overnight at the Old Mangya Work Area on G315. However, it was dark and we couldn't see clearly, so we drove onto G318 by mistake. We had no choice but to keep going (there is said to be a work area 10 km away). We arrived at the work area of China Railway No. 5 Engineering Group. There was no hotel in the work area, so we had to spend the night in the car.
Tips
1. The shuttle bus in the scenic area goes around the lake clockwise. Northwest China Leisure Tour 23.
JD. Noa 36
Mangya Emerald Lake: A dreamlike emerald wonderland in the northwest, and it's free!
On the northwestern edge of the Qaidam Basin in Qinghai, between the Kunlun Mountains and the Altun Mountains, lies a hidden gem—Mangya Emerald Lake, a stunning "emerald" hidden by the earth.
Stepping into this 26-square-kilometer salt lake is like falling into a green dream. The lake water seems to be painted by a divine brush, with shades ranging from light green to deep emerald, gradually changing like a giant green silk spread across the earth. Salt crystals sparkle on the lakeshore like scattered diamonds, reflecting the surrounding brown and yellow mountains, outlining a cold yet magnificent western landscape. The sky is reflected on the lake, blurring the boundary between heaven and earth, as if time has stopped, leaving only a serene tranquility.
It is also a "magical gift" of geological movement and time. Groundwater carrying minerals gathers and evaporates over a long period, creating this magnesium sulfate subtype salt lake, a "salt mine artwork" crafted by nature.
May to October is the best time to visit, with pleasant weather and vibrant lake colors. Starting from Xining Caojiabao Airport, you can drive or take a long-distance bus to Mangya, 900 kilometers away, and reach the lake in half an hour. The best part is, it's open all year round and free! No tickets are needed to enter this wonderland, where you can experience the grandeur and gentleness of the northwest, and pursue your own poetry and distant dreams. Add it to the top of your travel list now!
Mangya Emerald Lake
PhoenixSoul789
8-Day Deep Tour of Eboliang and Aiken Spring: A Guide to Exploring the Secret Land.
8-Day Tour of Eboliang and Aiken Spring: Explore the magical land of the northwest! This super detailed guide will take you to every scenic spot. Don't miss it!
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🚗Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive at the hotel in Xining, rest, and enjoy free time to recharge for the upcoming journey!
Day 2: Tour Qinghai Lake and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the lake and mountains -> Visit Chaka Salt Lake and experience the magical mirror of the sky.
Day 3: Admire the magnificent scenery of Qarhan Salt Lake -> Immerse yourself in the beautiful scenery of Dachaidan Emerald Lake Scenic Area.
Day 4: Explore the unique landforms of Wusute Water Yadan Geological Park -> Admire the two-color lake wonder of Xitaijinaier Lake.
Day 5: Visit the mysterious Aiken Spring -> Feel the tranquility of nature by the Gaskule Lake -> Stroll along Mangya Emerald Lake and enjoy the emerald-like lake light.
Day 6: Trace the history of Lenghu Oil Base Site -> Drive along Mars Highway 1 and start a Mars adventure -> Experience the sci-fi charm of Mars Camp -> Explore the sulfur lake and the strange scenery of Eboliang.
Day 7: Conquer Kunlun Pass and feel the vastness of the plateau -> Look up at the majestic Yuzhu Peak -> Enjoy the tranquility and beauty of nature in Xidatan Scenic Area.
Day 8: Return to Xining from Golmud and end this unforgettable journey. 🎉
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Some tips:
- Photo spots: The Yadan landform of Eboliang is super cool, and the Devil's Eye of Aiken Spring is not to be missed. The photo rate is super high 📸✨
- November climate: The Qaidam Basin is cold in November, so remember to wear more clothes to keep warm 🧣🧤
- Specialty prices: Local specialties are affordable, but it's more cost-effective to shop around when buying 🛍️💰
- Safety reminder: The terrain of Eboliang is complex, so don't explore alone. It's safer to follow a professional team 🚫🧗♀️
- Eco-friendly travel: When visiting Aiken Spring, please protect the environment and do not litter 🌍🚮
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For those who love adventure, Eboliang and Aiken Spring are waiting for you to challenge! Don't forget to like and bookmark, and follow me so you won't get lost~✨
LOUISA CARLSON
Go wild at the edge of the world! A guide to exploring the mysteries of Mangya!
Ever wanted to go on an adventure to the "edge of the world"? Mangya in Haixi, Qinghai is an off-the-beaten-path treasure you can't even imagine! As a low-key and mysterious small town in the northwest, Mangya has unique natural wonders and stunning wilderness landscapes, making it the ultimate dream for off-road enthusiasts and nature fanatics! Join me, hop in a 4x4, and explore this mysterious land known as "the other side of the earth"!
1. Mangya Emerald Lake: A "natural filter" hidden deep in the plateau
Mangya Emerald Lake is definitely a "must-see" attraction on this trip. Unlike the well-known Chaka Salt Lake, which is crowded with people, Emerald Lake is more pure and natural. The lake water changes color, especially under the sun, it presents a dreamy green, as if a natural filter has been added to the lake. Unlike other popular attractions that are crowded, you can take pictures as you wish.
2. Mangya Yardang Landform: Wind-carved wonders, birthplace of wilderness blockbusters
The Yardang landform is one of the iconic natural wonders of Mangya, and it is a work of art of natural wind carving! These strangely shaped mounds and isolated rock pillars are like an alien world. Blockbuster lovers must not miss it. Whether it is the shock of the big scene or the wonder of the details, you can take a "wild planet adventure" blockbuster effect.
Historical knowledge: **The name Mangya actually comes from Mongolian, meaning "steep cliff". In ancient times, it was the western end of the Silk Road, where merchants traveled, and it still retains the sense of history intertwined with desolation and magnificence.
Best time: **Go in the afternoon, wait for the sunset to slowly fall, the entire Yardang is like gold-plated under the afterglow, super beautiful!
3. Wusute Water Yardang: Super surreal wonder in the uninhabited area of the northwest
Wusute Water Yardang is another very cool check-in point in Mangya. You may find the name mysterious-"water" plus "Yardang"? Yes! This is where the desert and the lake meet. The Yardang landform stands quietly in a piece of blue water, forming a wonderful "water-land fusion" landscape. It really makes people wonder, is this in the northwest desert or the Mediterranean?
**Attraction features: **The sense of uninhabitedness of the Water Yardang is particularly strong, and you can almost enjoy this magical scenery alone. If you want a more amazing shooting effect, bring a drone, overlooking the Water Yardang, the grandeur will make you feel small in an instant.
4. Kunlun Mountain Pass: The majestic guardian on the northwest wasteland
The charm of Mangya also lies in it being the gateway to the Kunlun Mountains! The Kunlun Mountains have a very strong historical and mythological color, known as the "ancestor of all mountains", and is one of the sacred mountains in Chinese culture. Standing at the Kunlun Mountain Pass, you are surrounded by towering mountains and vast wastelands, and you will feel a sense of vastness and openness.
**Historical knowledge: **The Kunlun Mountains are considered the "fairy mountain" in ancient Chinese mythology. It is said that the Queen Mother of the West lives here, and it also breeds the source of the Yellow River. In Mangya, you can feel the desolate and magnificent northwest style. This land has witnessed the glory of history and has also precipitated the mysterious legends of thousands of years.
@.d3n N3ls0n
The lake is known as the "Mirror of the Sky" due to the different colors it presents as a result of the various minerals it contains.
Mangya Jade Lake, also known as Mangy Jade Lake, is located on the eastern edge of Gasi Lake in Mangya City, Haixi Prefecture, Qinghai Province. It is an artificial salt lake with an area of about 26 square kilometers. It is famous for its rich mineral resources and unique landforms. The lake is known as the "Mirror of the Sky" due to the different colors it presents as a result of the various minerals it contains. The beautiful scenery of Mangy Jade Lake attracts many tourists to check in and has become a popular destination for self-driving tours. Tourists can enjoy the light blue, emerald green, and dark green lake water, as well as the magnificent scenery of the Kunlun Mountains and the Altun Mountains in the distance. At present, Mangy Jade Lake is open to tourists for free, but it is recommended that tourists pay attention to safety during the tour, do not enter the production area, and comply with the relevant regulations of the scenic area.
Henry McCallister59
Yunnan's 'Fairyland Mirror': Finding Inner Peace in the Emerald Lake
Located at the border of Sichuan and Yunnan, the Emerald Lake is renowned for its clear, green waters. This highland lake, with its tranquil mirror-like surface, reflects the surrounding snow-capped mountains and pristine forests, resembling a jade mirror. Strolling along the lakeside, one can admire the enchanting reflections in the water, as if stepping into a dreamlike fairyland. Besides the captivating natural scenery, the area around Emerald Lake also preserves the unique cultures of ethnic minorities such as the Yi and Bai, adding an exotic charm to the lake. In this green 'Fairyland Mirror,' visitors can find moments of inner peace, cleanse their minds from the hustle and bustle, and rediscover their inner purity.
Lunarrr
The breathtaking Qinghai Jade Lake, you'll regret not visiting!
The breathtaking Qinghai Jade Lake, you'll regret not visiting! Qinghai Jade Lake is simply a masterpiece of nature! The water here shows a jade-like green, so beautiful that it takes your breath away. The lake is crystal clear to the bottom, where you can see the stones and aquatic plants. Under the sunlight, the lake surface sparkles, like a gem embedded in the earth. Moreover, it's a perfect spot for photography! Any random shot looks like a blockbuster, no filter needed. If you love nature, then you must come to Jade Lake and experience its charm.
_TI***va
Nature's Palette: Mangya Emerald Lake
If I had to choose a favorite among all the emerald lakes in the Great Northwest, it would definitely be Mangya Emerald Lake.
🗺Address: Huatugou, Mangya City, Haixi Mongol and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, about 23 kilometers away from the town government, a 40-minute drive.
🎫Ticket: 20 yuan per car!! (Drive in yourself)
🔶Drive clockwise around the attraction, and there is a sign in the middle indicating the "Best Photo Spot", with the Kunlun Mountains to the south and the Altun Mountains to the north. The lake's color is dazzling, green to the point of intoxication.
🔶tips: From the Wusute (Shuishang) Yardang Geological Park, take the G315 national road, passing through the Dong/West Taijiner Lakes, the road to Mangya is not smooth. There are pits and bumps all the way, but the scenery along the way is very beautiful🏝, with deserts🏜️ on both sides of the road, and sometimes sandstorms are also the moment to 'unlock' life achievements✅, and if you set off in the evening, you can also see satellites🛰️ launched from Jiuquan trailing long tails in the sky.
🚗For the section of the road to Mangya, it is recommended for friends who self-drive to visit, as the driving time is long and sufficient time is needed.
RejuvenatingRetreats
Checked in at the Mangya Emerald Lake
Mangya Emerald Lake, like a pearl inlaid in the Qaidam Basin, attracts the gaze of countless travelers with its beauty and uniqueness. Here, there is not only the magnificent natural scenery but also a wealth of tourist resources waiting for you to explore. Along the shores of the Mangya Emerald Lake, there are many cultural landscapes, such as ancient rock paintings, ruins, and monuments, which tell the history and stories of this place, adding to the depth and charm of this lake. The beauty of the Emerald Lake lies not only in its natural scenery and cultural landscapes but also in the dreams and aspirations it carries, making it a dream destination for many.
Scarlett.Robinson^81
Mangya City: Why has it become a mysterious longing in the hearts of many travelers?
The travel plan is as follows:
Day 1:
- 08:00 Departure, drive to the Lenghu Oil Town near Mangya City, about 1 hour's drive.
- 09:30 Arrive at Lenghu Oil Town, visit the China Petroleum Museum, and learn about the history and culture of the oil town.
- 11:00 Go to a nearby specialty restaurant to taste local delicacies.
- 13:00 Go to the Yadan Devil City near Lenghu, to appreciate the unique Yadan landform.
- 16:00 Take photos at the Yadan Devil City, feel the magic of nature.
- 17:30 Drive back to Mangya City and check into the hotel.
Day 2:
- 08:00 Departure, drive to the Emerald Lake near Mangya City, about 1 hour's drive.
- 09:30 Arrive at Emerald Lake, admire the green beauty of the lake.
- 11:00 Take a walk by the lake, enjoy the tranquility of nature.
- 12:00 Go to a nearby specialty restaurant to taste local delicacies.
- 14:00 Go to the Altun Mountain National Forest Park in Mangya City to learn about the local natural environment.
- 16:00 Visit the Altun Mountain National Forest Park and watch wild animals and plants.
- 18:00 Return to Mangya City and check into the hotel.
Day 3:
- 08:00 Departure, drive to Huatugou Town near Mangya City, about 1 hour's drive.
- 09:30 Arrive at Huatugou Town, visit the town's characteristic buildings and ethnic customs.
- 11:00 Go to a nearby specialty restaurant to taste local delicacies.
- 13:00 Visit the Thousand Buddha Cave near Huatugou Town, learn about the local history and culture.
- 15:00 Take photos near the Thousand Buddha Cave, feel the vicissitudes of a thousand years.
- 17:30 Drive back to Mangya City and check into the hotel.
Day 4:
- 08:00 Departure, drive back to the starting point, end the pleasant trip to Mangya.
The above is the 3-day travel plan around Mangya City during the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day, hoping to bring you and your family a pleasant travel experience.
PathfinderPursuits
You should always visit the green apple paradise in your heart, that beautiful place deep within
🎺 Hi, everyone, I'm Mapo, on the road of travel.
🔰“Don't wander around at midnight on weekends, come to the apple paradise, welcome the wandering children.”
🧼It turns out there really is a green secret place that makes people happy. It's in the lonely city - Mangya, a must-pass place on the ancient Silk Road
💎This green apple paradise is the Mangya Emerald Lake, an artificial salt lake with a total area of about 26 square kilometers. It belongs to the subtype of magnesium sulfate salt lake, like a clear and pure jade, as pure and transparent as a green apple.
🎢About the visit
🔸Ticket 20 yuan/car, no individual charge
🔸Glass boat, with its own aerial photography device, 30 yuan/person
🔸Just follow the tour order, the glass boat and the middle ❤ position are very photogenic, especially when driving in the middle of the lake, it's really nice
🛖About accommodation
🔸It is recommended to stay in Mangya City, 20min away from Emerald Lake
🍮About meals
🔸Mainly noodles, kang pot mutton, beef offal soup
🚄About transportation
Recommended self-driving
📸About photo suggestions
🔸Telephoto, aerial photography, mobile phone
🔸Beautiful dress, take pictures; sunglasses are a must, the reflection of the salt lake is dazzling.
📸Nearby attractions
Yadan landform (everywhere, it is a kind of wind erosion landform, formed by weathering, intermittent water erosion and wind erosion, forming small soil bags)
Aiken Spring (known as the "eye of the earth" and "eye of the devil", suitable for aerial photography)
Thousand Buddha Cliff (typical Yadan landform, a desert park, like a red waterfall pouring down, majestic)
Gas Lake (also a unique charm of the salt lake, like the sky)
⚠️tips:
🔹Pay attention to sun protection, sunscreen/spray, after-sun repair, sun protection sleeves, hat with rope, sunglasses, strong ultraviolet rays
🔹It is recommended to bring long sleeves and trousers, the temperature difference between morning and evening is large
🔹Some sections of the road have poor signal, if there are companions, bring walkie-talkies.
InternationalVoyages#123
The jade embedded in the Gobi Desert | Mangya Jade Lake
Mangya Jade Lake is located on the eastern edge of Gasi Lake in Mangya City, Haixi Prefecture, Qinghai Province, on the southwest side of Huatugou Town, about 23 kilometers from the town government. It is a rich and beautiful artificial salt lake, and has become a popular spot for self-driving tours. The surface of Mangya Jade Lake is filled with various brilliant colors such as mint green and jade green. The lake water is scattered like a mirror everywhere, reflecting the distant mountains, blue sky, and white clouds, dazzling and beautiful.
Rich minerals and unique landforms have created a different mysterious face of Mangya. Here is the mysterious Qaidam Basin, and it is adjacent to the beautiful Altun Mountain Nature Reserve. You can appreciate the vastness of the desert and the magnificence of the Gobi, and also feel the mirror of Gasi Lake and the grandeur of Thousand Buddha Cliff. And many people who have been to Mangya, what they can't forget is the "Mirror of the Sky" embedded on the west side of Qaidam - Mangya Jade Lake.
The mountain body with grooves and wrinkles is like a long and winding corridor of finely carved yellow pear wood, a beautiful piece of art standing quietly on the jade mirror, and also reflected in the white and green jade sky mirror. Forming a watermark Danxia - unparalleled beauty. On the right front: there is a reflection of the ancient snow of Qiman Tag... It's really beautiful
D@n.3l D.@z
The 'salt flats and emerald waters' on the Gobi Desert
In the western part of the Qaidam Basin in Qinghai Province, the towering Kunlun Mountains and Altun Mountains converge here, forming a unique landscape, embedded in the adjacent Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Here, nature is freely displaying its magic and grandeur, it has a desolate and vast name - Mangya. This city at the westernmost point of Qaidam is known as the 'western gate of Qinghai' due to its important transportation geographical location of 'bearing the interior, opening up to Xinjiang and connecting to Gansu'. At the same time, it is also known as the 'loneliest city in China' because it is more than 1200 kilometers away from the provincial capital Xining and there is no city within 300 kilometers around it.
Emerald Lake is located on the eastern edge of Gas Lake, southwest of the Mangya Executive Committee Huatugou Town. It is about 32 kilometers away from the government seat, south of the towering Kunlun Mountains, and north of the Altun Mountains. It is a rich and beautiful artificial salt lake. Mangya Emerald Lake is a subtype of magnesium sulfate salt lake, with a salt layer at the bottom, and the lake is rich in lithium, potassium fertilizer, mirabilite and other salts. It is a large pit formed by many years of salt lake mining.
The color of Emerald Lake is formed by the reflection of light through the minerals in the lake. The salt pools are of different depths and shapes, scattered around like mirrors, pure and transparent, like emeralds embedded in the Gobi, truly the Emerald Lake. Across from the Emerald Lake Scenic Area is the Hero Ridge Oil Sand Mountain with grooves and wrinkles. The brown Hero Ridge Oil Sand Mountain is reflected in the white and green emerald sky mirror, adding an ice-clear emerald to the 'hero's' broad 'forehead', and adding a touch of tenderness to Mangya, a Silk Road post station passed by Han envoy Zhang Qian.
The lake water like emerald, the azure sky, the ancient snow-capped mountains, and the seemingly reachable white clouds have become the unique beauty of Emerald Lake in Qinghai. The sky is blue and the rain is waiting, and 'she' is waiting for you in this quiet northwest.
Geographical location: Mangya City, Qinghai Province (near the border of Qinghai and Xinjiang)
Development level: undeveloped, no official entrance
Tickets: free
Recommended time: June-October, after 3 pm in the afternoon