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The legends of the Northwest are full of more than one color! If you're looking for an adventurous trip, I recommend a self-drive trip to Mangya, Qinghai. Here, you won't find the gentle beauty of the south of the Yangtze River, nor the freshness of a coastal city. Instead, you'll be struck by the scenery again and again, marveling at the wonders of nature. Today, let's take a closer look at what to do in Mangya, Qinghai.
First, many people are unclear about what Mangya Secret Realm is. Is it a tourist attraction? Mangya is a county-level city under the Haixi Mongol and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Qinghai Province. It is located in the northwestern border of Qinghai Province, on the western edge of the Qaidam Basin, with a total area of 49,900 square kilometers. With an average altitude of 3,000 meters, Mangya City has a typical plateau continental climate, characterized by low precipitation, high evaporation, dryness, cold weather, lack of oxygen, and frequent sandstorms. These climatic conditions create this extraordinary landscape.
Da Qaidam Emerald Lake is a magnesium sulfate subtype salt lake and the third largest artificial lake in Haixi Prefecture, covering an area of more than 26 square kilometers. It produces high-quality potassium, magnesium, lithium and other elements. Because the salt bed is reflected by light blue, emerald green and deep blue lake waters, and is crystal clear, the locals call it "Emerald Lake".
The diverse salt ponds of Da Qaidam Emerald Lake resemble crystal-clear jade. This former mining area of the Da Qaidam Chemical Plant's salt lake mining team, formed over the years by the mining pits, has become the beautiful Emerald Lake we see today. Standing by the lake, the mirror-like surface reflects the blue sky, white clouds, and snow-capped peaks, creating a fairyland-like experience.
Many people visit Chaka Salt Lake and forget about Mangya Emerald Lake. There are no crowds here, only a few travelers who drive thousands of miles just to see its beauty. Every photo taken here is a masterpiece.
Tips:
①Practical information:
Starting from May 1, 2021, Emerald Lake will also charge an entrance fee of 60/person. It is recommended to join a tour group directly for convenience.
②How to get there:
After arriving at the parking lot, you need to take a small train to Emerald Lake, which costs 50 yuan per person and the outbound journey is non-stop.
Depart from Xining | 9 days and 8 nights
Northwest Legends in Depth | Gansu-Qinghai Grand Loop + Qilian & Yadan 9-Day Tour
￥4880 from 8724 people have registered Register nowAt the desolate western end of the Qaidam Basin, a cascading spring gushes forth from the earth. Its vibrant yellow-red waters, shaped like a demon's eye, etched into the desolate landscape. The bubbling waters flow from the spring's eye onto the surrounding land, transforming the landscape into a vibrant, abstract ink painting.
The uniqueness of Aiken Spring isn't just its visual impact; the substance gushing out of it is no ordinary spring water. The water contains a large amount of sulfuric acid, which constantly corrodes the surrounding soil. After long-term precipitation with other minerals, it forms a hard crust on the ground, which makes a creaking sound when stepped on. Furthermore, the high sulfur content of the spring water has left no grass growing where it flows, and even birds and animals are afraid to approach.
Tips:
Shooting suggestions:
The only way to take aerial photos here is to record the stunning beauty of the earth from a bird's-eye view.
Notes:
Because the soil around it is soft, a safety line has been drawn next to the spring. Don't get close to it easily, otherwise you may easily fall into it.
Oboliang is said to be "the most beautiful yardang in Qaidam" and "the place on Earth that most resembles Mars." A natural landscape in Haixi Prefecture, Qinghai, it was also listed among the 100 "most beautiful scenic spots" in Qinghai by China National Geographic magazine.
The Eboliang Yardang landforms were formed by the uplift of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and the continuous wind erosion of the ancient seabed. Due to their unique topography, the Eboliang Yardang often produces eerie wind sounds. Furthermore, the iron-rich rocks in the area create a strong geomagnetic field, which can easily cause compasses to malfunction, leading to pedestrians becoming lost and disoriented. This has earned them the nickname "Devil's City."
Here, you can see many people who drive here wearing space suits or alien costumes to take photos. In recent years, it has become a popular tourist attraction in Qinghai.
Tips:
Notes:
1. Do not leave the roadbed easily, as it is easy to get stuck.
2. It is best to leave before dark, as it is easy to lose your way at night.
3. In Eboliangli, there are only two locations with signals: Mars Camp and Gangshangliangzi. In remote places like Haixi, the signal of mobile cards is relatively good.
Lenghu Mars Camp, incorporating the Martian landscape of Eboliang Yadan, offers a complete "Mars landing" experience, creating a fully enclosed "Mars Camp." The camp's construction style also simulates the future living environment of humans migrating to Mars, with facilities such as a "headquarters building" and a "Mars cabin" providing an immersive experience.
This is also China's first Mars simulation base for research and study. Here, donning a spacesuit, you'll feel like strolling across a vast, lonely planet, giving you an immersive experience reminiscent of a science fiction movie.
Tips:
①Opening hours: Mars Camp is open from March to the end of October every year.
②About accommodation: There are two accommodation options: space capsule and tent.
③ Spacesuit rental: The fee is calculated by the hour, 300 yuan/0.5h, 500 yuan/hour.
This road, known as the Chinese version of "Route 66", is located on the most beautiful road G315 in Daxiadan, Qinghai. It can be seen when driving from Daxiadan to Shuishang Yadan.
A road that goes straight to the sky. Many highway blockbusters were born here. Netizens have personally tested that road signs 766 and 780 are the best spots for taking photos. Friends who go here must not miss it.
Tips:
Shooting tips:
① The top and halfway points of the slope are relatively better, but the bottom of the slope cannot capture the feeling of "flying to the sky".
② It is recommended to use a telephoto lens of about 200-400mm for long-distance shooting
Note: There are many vehicles on the road and the speed is fast, so it is not recommended to stay for a long time.
The Qaidam Basin, bounded by the Altun Mountains to the northwest, the Kunlun Mountains to the southwest, and the Qilian Mountains to the northeast, is the highest basin in China. Rich mineral resources and oil have enriched this region, yet its desolation is evident in the Gobi desert.
Friends who fly from all over the country can arrive at [Xining Caojiabao International Airport], and then reach Mangya City from Xining by [self-driving (car rental)/shuttle bus].
[Self-driving]: The journey is about 1,300 kilometers and the driving time is about 18 hours. It is recommended to drive over two days.
Shuttle Bus: Xining Passenger Transport Center runs a long-distance bus to Huatugou Town at 5:30 PM daily. The journey takes approximately 19 hours and costs 311 yuan. Please check the passenger transport center for specific bus information.
Friends who take the high-speed rail/train can arrive at [Xining Station]. The high-speed rail and train are the same station. There is another [Xining West Station] that is only accessible by train.
Please refer to the above information for how to get to Mangya after arriving.
For those who are traveling by car in the surrounding area, it is recommended to use a four-wheel drive off-road vehicle, which is faster and safer. Cars can also drive in, but the movement is very slow and there are certain safety risks.
Although this place is deserted and covered with desert Gobi, there are many delicious foods. I recommend you to try the following restaurants, they are delicious and you won’t disappoint.
The kang kang lamb here tastes good, and even the potatoes inside are as crispy as potato chips. However, the lamb part is not difficult to chew, and the large skewers of lamb are also very enjoyable to eat.
This offal soup restaurant is a bit hidden but tastes good. The owner is very talkative. The mutton and beef offal soup has a lot of meat. Each serving comes with a sesame seed bun and chewing gum, and the soup can be refilled for free.
The spicy Hu La Tang here is not as spicy as the one in Henan, and can be paired with pan-fried buns or mutton noodles.
Mangya City is a small oil town, and most of the people living here are oil workers. If you have time, you might as well come here to experience a different life. There should always be a time in life when you can risk your life for the better.
