Things to do in Delingha
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Top 10 attractions in Delingha
Tuosu Lake
Tuosu Lake is located deep in the Gobi Desert on the northeastern edge of the Qaidam Basin in Qinghai. In Mongolian, "Tuosu" means "butter lake." It is a typical inland saltwater lake on the plateau, surrounded by the vast Gobi Desert. The climate is dry with intense evaporation, and the lake water has high salinity, resulting in sparse aquatic flora and fauna, which makes the lake surface appear exceptionally quiet and vast. The lakeshore is open and unobstructed. When the wind is calm, the lake is vast and misty, with the water and sky merging into one. When the weather changes suddenly, waves crash against the shore, sending sprays of water everywhere. This contrast between stillness and motion fully displays the desolate grandeur of a Gobi lake. Tuosu Lake is connected to the Keluke Lake on its north side by a small river. One is saltwater and the other is freshwater, resembling a pair of saddlebags, so the two lakes are collectively known as the "Saddlebag Lakes." The Qinghai-Tibet Railway passes right between the two lakes, offering a chance to see trains traveling between them. Every early spring, water birds such as gulls, brown-headed gulls, and wild ducks flock to the bird island, which covers about 1 sq km in the middle of the lake, to nest. Nests are scattered everywhere, filled with eggs, making it a famous bird-watching spot in the Qaidam area.Delingha · 45.6km from downtown
Hala Lake
Hala Lake is an endorheic saltwater lake on the eastern side of the Qaidam Basin, located deep in an uninhabited area. Its name means "black lake" in Mongolian, and it is also known as the "Black Sea." The lake surface is at an altitude of over 4,000 m, with a water area of approx. 600 sq km. The lakeshore area is a well-preserved primitive highland wetland. In summer, the pastures are lush and fertile, and various highland waterfowl inhabit the wetlands. The lake area is primarily fed by surface runoff and glacial meltwater, surrounded by snow-capped mountains and glaciers, with snow-capped peaks reflecting in the deep blue lake water to create an iconic scene. There is almost no light pollution here at night, and the Milky Way stretches across the sky and reflects on the lake surface, making it a sought-after destination for astrophotography enthusiasts.Delingha · >100km from downtown
Kelukehu Tourism Area
"Koruk" means "a place with lush grass and sedge beach and lush water grass" in Mongolian. It is located in the eastern part of the Qaidam Basin. It is a slightly brackish freshwater lake with clear water, calm lake surface and beautiful scenery. In early spring every year, when the ice of Crook Lake begins to melt, flocks of black-necked cranes, bar-headed geese, gulls, wild ducks and other rare birds fly here from the distant Southeast Asian islands to build nests and raise children. Black-necked cranes like to build nests and live in the swamps and reeds beside Crook Lake, while bar-headed geese and grey geese build nests and live on sand dunes. Koruk Lake is located to the north of Tosu Lake. Together with Tosu Lake, they are collectively called Talian Lake. The Qinghai-Tibet Railway passes between the two lakes. It is a paradise for birds and a hometown for fish. The cooing of birds echoes among the reeds, bringing endless joy. Kelu Lake has a dock, yachts, motorboats, tents and restaurants. In the fishing area, you can see fishermen fishing. The Qaidam carp in the lake are large and weigh more than ten kilograms. The meat is tender and delicious. The lake is also rich in Chinese mitten crabs, also known as hairy crabs.Delingha · 43.7km from downtown
Baishu Mountain
Baishu Mountain serves as a natural barrier for Delingha, standing like a sturdy, heroic warrior guarding this "pearl of the plateau" beside it. The environment here is elegant, and the scenery is charming. Looking at Baishu Mountain from afar, cypress trees stand proudly across the mountains and plains, and on the mountain, the grass appears lush up close but seems to disappear from a distance. "Frosty bark slick with rain, forty spans around; dark green color reaching the sky, two thousand feet high" (Du Fu, "Ancient Cypress"). The tall, straight cypress trees with giant, umbrella-like canopies are the highlight here. Also known as Qinghai rock cypress, these trees are tenacious, cold-resistant, and drought-tolerant, thriving in both gravel piles and rocky cliffs. Therefore, in the arid mountains and gullies of the Qaidam Basin, they remain lush and verdant. The meadows among the cypress forests, filled with clusters of red willows and wildflowers, where butterflies and bees chase each other, are a blessed land for the people of Delingha. Baishu Mountain features knife-cut cliffs from which clear spring water cascades down, forming a sparkling, turquoise pool. The swirling blue water and rippling waves create a picturesque scene where the sky, mountains, and water reflect one another. Behind the waterfall lies a massive cave; sitting inside and watching the waterfall cascade down like a silver curtain feels exactly like being in a "Water Curtain Cave." In the dense cypress forest, there is also the "national treasure" Qinghai spruce. This ancient species from the Cretaceous period is tall and lush, with some trees reaching four to five hundred years of age. Like the dawn redwood and ginkgo, it is a precious "living fossil" plant.Delingha · 10.5km from downtown
Delingha Alien Site Scenic Area
Alien ruins are very famous locally. The site is located on Baigong Mountain, east of Tuosu Lake, around a cave. There are some iron pipes and iron pieces scattered outside the cave. There are iron pipes of different diameters in the cave that penetrate into the mountain, as if the pipes are inserted directly into the middle of the stone. The pipes are rusty and maroon. Outside the cave, there are all kinds of strange-shaped stones, all of which are standing, some even standing in the lake next to them, and there are a series of mysterious symbols and unsolved letters on the rock formations of sand and stone. Mysterious Steel Pipe Unearthed cultural relics here are animal bones, stone tools, pottery or leather, etc. far away, and bronze ware, knives and arrows, clothing, etc., although there are also woolen textiles, but all of them are simple in craftsmanship and rough in production. There has never been a modern industrial product like iron pipes before. In addition to the harsh natural conditions in the Qaidam Basin, the local people have never had a history of industrial development. Searching all over the history books, I have never found a few words about the industry here.Delingha · 40.4km from downtown
Bayinguole River
The Mongolian name for the river is "River of Happiness." Running through the city of Delingha, it is known as the city's "Mother River." Originating on the southern slope of the Halbai Mountains in the Qilian Mountains, it flows through Zelinggou, Gahai, and the Gobi Desert before emptying into Keluke Lake, a journey of over 200 kilometers. It selflessly nurtures the various ethnic groups who have lived here for generations. Standing atop Cypress Mountain overlooking the city, one sees the city nestled in the forest, the water flowing through the woods. The wide river channel, crystal-clear water, lush trees on both banks, and spaces for citizens to exercise make it a perfect spot for Delingha residents to enjoy the fresh morning air and relax.Delingha · 15.6km from downtown
Gahai Lake
Gahai is a saltwater lake about 30 kilometers away from Delingha City, and an important wetland in the Qaidam Basin. A seemingly inconspicuous little bug, Artemia (also known as Artemia), makes Gahai Lake appear in people's sight from time to time. Artemia eggs are an important bait in the aquaculture industry, and the price once soared to 700,000 yuan per ton, known as "soft gold".Delingha · 31.9km from downtown
Qinghai Delingha Gahai National Wetland Park
Delingha · 32.5km from downtown
Delingha Central Square
Delingha · 1.2km from downtown
Talian Lake
Delingha · 734m from downtown
Free things to do in Delingha
Tuosu Lake
Delingha · 45.6km from downtownHala Lake
Delingha · >100km from downtownKelukehu Tourism Area
Delingha · 43.7km from downtownBaishu Mountain
Delingha · 10.5km from downtownDelingha Alien Site Scenic Area
Delingha · 40.4km from downtownBayinguole River
Delingha · 15.6km from downtownGahai Lake
Delingha · 31.9km from downtownQinghai Delingha Gahai National Wetland Park
Delingha · 32.5km from downtownDelingha Central Square
Delingha · 1.2km from downtownTalian Lake
Delingha · 734m from downtown
What travellers say about Delingha
浅草茶客4 July 2025
5.0
It is a protected area and the navigation system cannot help us get there. We followed an experienced off-road driver to enter. After walking on a washboard road, the Tiffany blue lake water hit us. It was so beautiful that we just wanted to stare blankly. There are so many levels of blue, milky blue, Tiffany blue, dark blue, and countless deep blue. We went to the alien ruins next to it. The landscape there is so strange that it doesn't look like something on Earth. There is also an extremely flat and smooth large turntable helipad that is hard to explain.
Tuosu Lake
西宁哥（带你去青海）26 September 2025
5.0
I personally feel that Hara Lake is a lake that never disappoints.
Descending from the mountains, the first thing you see is the blue of the lake. 🔵
The deep blue is like a gem embedded in the mountains.
The snow-capped Tuanjie Peak in the distance is so tranquil.
Gradually, following the tracks of horses and carts, the blue of the lake turns green. 🟢
To my complete surprise, I watched the waves crash against the shore.
A cool breeze blew against my cheeks, and in that moment, all the hard work was worth it.
I felt my heartbeat.
I felt nature.
Hala Lake
兔子小姐Judy15 October 2026
5.0
This is an undeveloped natural scenic spot, and the road is quite bumpy. You can take a taxi, sedan, SUV, or off-road vehicle. SUVs and off-road vehicles are preferred as their performance is better suited for the terrain; other vehicles require extra caution.
The air on the mountain is very fresh, and the altitude isn't too high, around 2800-3000 meters. However, due to the dust generated by vehicles, those with rhinitis or sensitive nasal mucosa should bring masks. You can wear a 3-in-1 waterproof jacket or a waterproof outer layer with a down lining. Prepare food and water, as there are no toilets along the way.
Baishu Mountain
许仙和白素贞开了个酒吧17 July 2022
5.0
Cut off thousands of troubles, a bowl of cloth to cover shame and ugliness, twist a wick, light a heart lamp, shake the chanting bucket in my hand, chant my past life and this life, solve my worldly affairs, solve my worldly sorrow, break my past life, regret my present life, chant her happiness and shadow, chant her glass and eyebrows
From now on, I convert to Buddhism, a vegetarian, a clean water, a state of mind, a blessing, a person
I was inspired by the alien ruins, please understand...
Delingha Alien Site Scenic Area
300***952 September 2021
5.0
Passing through Delingha, the hotel we stayed in was next to the Bayin River, which was very beautiful. This was the first time I saw a pink-green river in the city, just like the color of Lake Milk in New Zealand. The river was beautiful and the landscape was clean. It was really nice. Friends who come to Delingha must not miss it!
Bayinguole River
悠在29 October 2022
5.0
Gahai Lake is a magical place, an inconspicuous but beautiful place on the plateau, a beautiful, pure and pollution-free place.
Gahai Lake
meren4 August 2021
4.0
Very beautiful, with beautiful scenery everywhere and large grasslands
Talian Lake
