Things to do in Haixi Prefecture

It was good, but we arrived late and the shuttle buses were not available, so we couldn’t see many areas. The mirror effect can still be seen in some areas, but I will definitely recommend to arrive earlier than 6 pm.

Every snapshot is a masterpiece. Compared to the compact size of Emerald Lake and the weather requirements of Chaka Salt Lake, the fact that Qarhan Salt Lake is not picky about the weather is quite precious. The color of the green apple juice is pleasing to the eye.

Emerald Lake is truly beautiful. I think it's definitely worth taking photos on the sightseeing elevator. If the sunlight is too strong, the effect isn't as good when viewed from a flat surface; you need to go up to a higher point.

Erlangjian is the main scenic area of ​​Qinghai Lake, shaped like a long sword entering the lake. Visitors can take a cruise to explore the heart of the lake and also get a close look at the ruins of a torpedo launching test base. The facilities are well-developed, making it suitable for first-time visitors, but prices are high during peak season due to crowds.

I'd been to the Devil City in Dunhuang before, so I specifically wanted to see the Water Yadan landform. The scenic area shuttle bus goes all the way to the innermost part, then stops at various checkpoints. I walked along the lake for a while, and the weather was nice, so overall it was a good experience! The main problem is that it's too far from Golmud, which is inconvenient for tourists without a car!

I stumbled upon these pictures online and immediately added Mangya to my itinerary before embarking on the Qinghai-Gansu loop. We entered the scenic area in the evening. The weather was so-so that day; thankfully, the sun came out later, but there was no sunset. The visual impact inside was still breathtaking, though the photos seem to show it even more beautifully than it appears in person. Bringing a drone would have been even better for aerial photography. We didn't visit Rouge Mountain separately; the red color wasn't as pronounced there, and the online pictures seem to have been edited.

Chaka is divided into Chaka Sky Mirror and Chaka No. 1. Sky Mirror is the older scenic area, more crowded, with complete facilities and equipment, great photo opportunities, and better management, but definitely more crowded with long queues. Sky No. 1 is a newly developed scenic area, less crowded, quieter, allowing for more leisurely photography, but the scenery is far inferior, and management is practically nonexistent. Choose the scenic area based on your needs.

This attraction seems to be quite weather-dependent; it's definitely worth going on a sunny day. The springs have vibrant colors, and the aerial views are beautiful. There are also other free and attractive plants and lakes along the way to the scenic area.

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。