Haixi Mongol & Tibetan Prefecture

China's most famous salt lake and one of the country's most Instagrammed destinations, Chaka Salt Lake (茶卡盐湖) is a 105-square-kilometer crystallized salt flat at 3,100 meters elevation that creates a mirror-perfect reflection of the sky — earning it the nickname "Mirror of the Sky" (天空之镜). The lake's surface is a thin layer of brine over white crystallized salt, creating the illusion of walking on the sky when the conditions are right.

Chaka has been a salt production site for over 3,000 years, and industrial salt mining continues on the lake's edges. The tourist area allows visitors to walk onto the salt flat, ride a small tourist train along the lake's edge, and take the iconic "reflection" photographs that have gone viral on Chinese social media. The best conditions occur after rain or in the early morning when the brine layer is deep enough to create clear reflections. The lake is surrounded by snow-capped mountains that add to the dramatic scenery. The site has been heavily developed with boardwalks, changing rooms, and a visitor center. Visiting on a weekday or in the off-season (October–April) avoids the massive summer crowds. Bring sunglasses — the salt is blindingly white under sunlight. Allow 3–4 hours. Chaka is 300 km from Xining (4 hours by car), making it popular as a stop on a Xining–Qinghai Lake–Chaka loop.

Hours: 7:00–18:00 (summer), 8:00–17:00 (winter)
Admission: ¥60 + small train ¥50 (optional)
Transport: Bus from Xining (5 hours, ¥75); car from Xining (4 hours); train to Chaka Station available seasonally

Perhaps the most visually stunning natural site in western China, the Dachaidan Emerald Lakes (大柴旦翡翠湖) are a series of turquoise-to-emerald colored salt lakes scattered across a barren desert landscape at 3,100 meters elevation. The lakes' vivid colors — ranging from pale turquoise to deep jade green — are caused by varying mineral concentrations of copper, iron, and other trace elements in the brine. The contrast between the brilliant green lakes and the barren brown desert is surreal.

The lakes were relatively unknown until 2018 when drone photography revealed their otherworldly beauty, and they rapidly became one of Qinghai's most popular destinations. The main lake area is easily accessible by car (2 km off the G315 highway), with boardwalks and viewing platforms. Several smaller, undeveloped lakes in the area offer a more pristine experience for those willing to explore on foot. The colors change depending on the time of day, weather, and season — midday sun produces the most vivid turquoise. The area has no facilities beyond parking and basic restrooms — bring food, water, and sun protection. The nearest town with accommodation is Dachaidan (大柴旦镇), 12 km away. Dachaidan is 400 km from Xining (5 hours by car) on the route between Chaka Salt Lake and Dunhuang. Allow 2–3 hours for photography and exploration.

Hours: Open 24 hours; best photography 10:00–15:00
Admission: ¥50 (main lake area)
Transport: Private car essential; 5 hours from Xining, 2 hours from Chaka Salt Lake

While Qinghai Lake's eastern shore (closest to Xining) receives the most visitors, the lake's western shore in Haixi Prefecture offers a more remote and dramatic experience. The western road passes through open grassland with the lake on one side and snow-capped mountains on the other, with far fewer tourists than the popular eastern scenic areas. The lake appears wilder here — vast expanses of blue water meeting grassland and mountain in every direction.

Key spots along the western shore include Black Horse River (黑马河), the traditional sunrise viewing point; Heimahe (黑马河乡), a small town with yurt accommodation; and the section near the Bird Island road junction. The western shore is also where Tibetan nomadic culture is most visible — yurt camps, prayer flags, and yak herds dot the grassland. The western shore is typically visited as part of the 360-km lake circuit drive (allow 1–2 days). It's also possible to visit the western shore on a day trip from Chaka Salt Lake. The road along the western shore is the most scenic stretch of the lake circuit, particularly at sunrise and sunset. Accommodation options include yurt camps (¥200–500/night) and small guesthouses in Heimahe and Gangcha.

Hours: Open 24 hours
Admission: No entry fee for western shore road; individual sites may charge
Transport: Private car from Xining (4 hours) or Chaka (2 hours); no regular bus service

Golmud (格尔木) is Haixi's second-largest city and a major stop on the Qinghai-Tibet Railway and Highway. While primarily a modern industrial and transportation hub, Golmud serves as the base for exploring the Kunlun Mountains (昆仑山) — one of the most sacred mountain ranges in Chinese mythology and the traditional boundary between Chinese civilization and the Tibetan world.

The Kunlun Mountain Pass (昆仑山口) at 4,767 meters is accessible from Golmud via a 2-hour drive south along the G109 highway. The pass offers dramatic mountain scenery, including views of Yuzhu Peak (玉珠峰, 6,178m), a popular destination for mountaineering training courses. The pass area includes the Kunlun Mountains Memorial to environmental protection workers, stone markers, and prayer flags. The Yuxu Peak Base Camp (¥120 entrance) offers glacier views and is the starting point for summit attempts. South of the pass, the landscape transitions into the vast, treeless Tibetan plateau. Back in Golmud, the city has the Railway Museum and several Tibetan Buddhist temples. Golmud is also the junction where the road to Dunhuang (6 hours west) and the road to Lhasa (via the G109, 1,200 km south) diverge. Allow 1–2 days for Golmud and Kunlun Mountains.

Hours: Kunlun Pass road open year-round (check winter conditions); Yuxu Base Camp 8:00–17:00
Admission: Kunlun Pass free; Yuxu Peak Base Camp ¥120
Transport: Train from Xining to Golmud (7 hours, ¥90–200); flights from Xining (1 hour); car to Kunlun Pass (2 hours)

The Wulan County area between Xining and Chaka Salt Lake contains several lesser-known salt lakes that offer a quieter alternative to the famous Chaka. The most notable is Keke Salt Lake (柯柯盐湖), a working salt production facility that allows visitors to observe the salt mining process. The lake's industrial landscape — mountains of white salt, conveyor belts, and mining equipment — creates a stark, almost otherworldly beauty.

Further into the county, several smaller salt lakes remain completely undeveloped, offering pristine reflections without boardwalks or crowds. The Wulan area also preserves sections of the ancient Tea Horse Road and has Tu ethnic minority villages where traditional culture persists. The Wulan He (乌兰河) valley offers grassland scenery and hiking opportunities. The county town of Wulan has basic accommodation and restaurants, making it a good overnight stop on the Xining–Chaka–Dachaidan route. For visitors who find Chaka Salt Lake too crowded, the Wulan area provides a more intimate salt lake experience. The landscape is particularly beautiful in winter when frost patterns form on the salt crusts. Allow 2–3 hours for exploration.

Hours: Varied by location; generally accessible during daylight
Admission: Varied; some lakes free, Keke Salt Lake ¥30
Transport: 4 hours from Xining by car; 1 hour from Chaka Salt Lake

Located in the far western Qaidam Basin near the border with Xinjiang, Mangya (茫崖) is home to some of the world's most spectacular yardang (wind-eroded) landforms. These otherworldly rock formations have been sculpted by millions of years of wind erosion into shapes resembling castles, fortresses, animals, and alien landscapes. The most famous site is the "Mars Camp" area, where the red-brown rock formations against the desert sky have drawn comparisons to the surface of Mars.

The Mangya area is one of the least-visited natural wonders in China, requiring a long drive (8+ hours from Golmud) through remote desert. The reward is an almost primeval landscape with zero tourists — you may have the formations entirely to yourself. The "Emerald Lake" of Mangya (茫崖翡翠湖) is another dramatic site — a bright green salt lake surrounded by yellow desert, even more vivid than Dachaidan's version. The area also has the "Soul of the Oil Field" memorial, commemorating the pioneers who developed the Qaidam Basin's oil industry in the 1950s. This is true expedition territory — bring supplies, spare tires, and a full tank of fuel. Accommodation is extremely limited. Best visited as part of a longer road trip from Golmud to Dunhuang or Lhasa. Allow 1–2 days.

Hours: Open 24 hours (remote area)
Admission: Mangya Yadan ¥100; Emerald Lake ¥30
Transport: Private car essential; 8 hours from Golmud, 5 hours from Dachaidan

The capital of Haixi Prefecture, Delingha (德令哈, meaning "Golden World" in Mongolian) is a pleasant small city at 2,980 meters that serves as the administrative and cultural center of the region. While primarily a modern city, Delingha has a few attractions worth visiting and is an important stop on any western Qinghai road trip.

The city's most atmospheric site is the Delingha Balong Graveyard (巴隆墓地), a Tibetan cemetery with ancient burial mounds dating to the Tubo Kingdom (7th–9th centuries). The nearby Tolai Gorge (托莱峡谷) offers hiking trails through red rock formations with petroglyphs. The city has several Tibetan Buddhist temples and a mosque reflecting its multi-ethnic population. Delingha is famous in Chinese literature for the poem "In Delingha" by Hai Zi (海子), one of China's most celebrated modern poets, who wrote here before his death in 1989. A small memorial to the poet attracts literary pilgrims. The city has good hotels, restaurants, and a supermarket — a useful supply stop before heading into more remote areas. Allow half a day for city exploration. Delingha is 4 hours from Xining and 2 hours from Chaka Salt Lake, making it a natural overnight stop on the Xining–Chaka route.

Hours: City attractions 9:00–17:00
Admission: Varied; most city attractions free
Transport: Train from Xining (4 hours, ¥55); bus from Xining (5 hours, ¥65)

Haixi Prefecture is home to significant Mongolian and Tibetan populations whose traditional cultures remain vibrant in the grassland and desert areas. The Tu (土族) people — one of China's smallest officially recognized ethnic minorities — are concentrated in the Wulan area, where their distinctive culture, language, and traditions can be experienced. The Tu are descended from ancient Mongol and Turkic nomads and have preserved many pre-Buddhist animist traditions alongside Tibetan Buddhism.

Key cultural experiences include visiting Tu villages near Wulan, where traditional houses and festival celebrations survive; attending the Nadam Festival (那达慕大会), held in summer, featuring Mongolian wrestling, horse racing, and archery; visiting Tibetan nomad camps on the grasslands around Qinghai Lake's western shore, where yurt stays offer an authentic glimpse of nomadic life; and exploring the Buddhist monasteries that dot the prefecture, some dating to the Yuan Dynasty. The cultural diversity is reflected in the food — Mongolian milk tea and lamb dishes sit alongside Tibetan butter tea and tsampa, with Muslim halal food available throughout. The best way to experience the culture is to visit during festivals (July–August) when traditional activities are most visible. The hospitality of local herders and villagers is genuine — visitors are often welcomed with tea and food.

Hours: Village visits by arrangement; festivals seasonal (July–August)
Admission: Village visits free; festival entry varies
Transport: Wulan County from Xining (3 hours); nomad camps require private car access

The G315 national highway that crosses Haixi Prefecture from east to west is one of China's most spectacular road trips — a 600-kilometer stretch that traverses salt lakes, desert, grassland, and mountains. Often called China's "Route 66" or compared to Iceland's Ring Road, the G315 offers ever-changing scenery with minimal traffic and vast open spaces.

Key stops along the G315 include the Dachaidan Emerald Lakes, the U-shaped highway section that has become an Instagram icon, the Dachaidan Yardang "Devil City" (雅丹魔鬼城) with its wind-sculpted rock formations, the Mangya Emerald Lake, and the approach to Golmud with views of snow-capped Kunlun peaks. The road connects to Dunhuang in Gansu Province (6 hours west from Dachaidan), making a natural Xining–Qinghai Lake–Chaka–Dachaidan–Dunhuang itinerary possible over 5–7 days. Driving conditions are generally good on paved roads, but distances between towns are large — carry extra fuel, water, and supplies. Mobile phone coverage is intermittent. The best time for the road trip is June–October when weather is mild and roads are clear of snow.

Hours: Road accessible year-round (check winter conditions at high passes)
Admission: Road free; individual attractions charge entry
Transport: Private car essential; rent in Xining or self-drive from other cities

Located 10 km west of Dachaidan town, the Yardang "Devil City" (雅丹魔鬼城) is a vast area of wind-eroded rock formations covering dozens of square kilometers of desert. The name "Devil City" comes from the eerie howling sound the wind makes as it blows through the formations at night — a sound that has frightened travelers for centuries. The formations range from 5 to 20 meters in height, creating a labyrinthine landscape of pillars, towers, and arches.

The yardang formations were created over millions of years as wind eroded the soft sedimentary rock of the Qaidam Basin floor. The result is a landscape that resembles a ruined city — hence the name. The area is most dramatic at sunset when the golden light turns the formations orange and red, and at night under star-filled skies. A road runs through the area, but the best exploration is on foot through the formations (allow 2–3 hours). The area is completely undeveloped — no facilities, no entry fee, no tourists. Bring water, hat, and sun protection. The nearest town is Dachaidan (12 km east) with hotels and restaurants. Combine with the Dachaidan Emerald Lakes (15 km south) for a half-day of geological wonders. Best visited in the late afternoon for sunset photography.

Hours: Open 24 hours; best sunset–dusk
Admission: Free (undeveloped area)
Transport: 10 km west of Dachaidan town; private car essential