Heidu Mountain Travel Guide

Heidu Mountain (also known as "Heishan Gobi") is located near Lenghu Town, Mangya City, Haixi Prefecture, Qinghai Province, and is known as **"the place that looks most like the moon"**. This is an undeveloped primitive wilderness where the black mountain body and white gravel create a strong visual impact, evoking a strong sense of solitude and exoticism. Here is a practical guide:

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### **1. Core Highlights**
- **Geological Wonder**: The mountain is entirely black (containing minerals), with the surface covered in white salt and alkali, resembling an ink painting.
- **Ultimate Solitude**: Walking alone in the vast and boundless Gobi Desert feels like being on an alien planet.
- **Starry Sky Secret Spot**: No light pollution; on clear nights, the Milky Way hangs above the black mountains.

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### **2. Transportation Guide**
**How to Get There?**
- **Starting Point**:
- Major transport: Fly to Dunhuang or Golmud, then self-drive or charter a car (Dunhuang departure recommended, about 2.5 hours by car).
- Navigation point: **Lenghu Oilfield Base Ruins** (ruins) → continue along National Highway G215 towards Mangya for about 15 km → turn right at the **"Heidu Mountain" sign** onto a dirt road.
- **Key Coordinates**:
- Entrance location: `38.441°N, 93.192°E` (search "Heidu Mountain" on Baidu/AutoNavi maps to locate nearby).

**Road Conditions Tips**:
1. **Last 10 km require off-road driving**:
- The road from the highway to the mountain foot is soft sandy gravel, **a four-wheel-drive off-road vehicle is a must** (two-wheel-drive vehicles easily get stuck, rescue is difficult).
- No navigation signal! Download offline maps in advance and follow tire tracks.
2. **Strictly no entry on rainy days**: Muddy roads will trap vehicles 100%.

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### **3. Travel Suggestions**
- **Best Time**:
- **Season**: April to October (extremely cold and windy with sandstorms in winter; avoid midday sun in summer).
- **Light and Shadow Moments**: One hour after sunrise or two hours before sunset (the black mountain contrasted with golden light is most stunning).
- **Photography Spots**:
- Close-up: Go deep into the mountain gullies to capture texture details (focal length 24-70mm).
- Panorama: Climb the hillside for overhead shots of the black and white contrasting land and road (focal length 70-200mm).
- Portraits: Wear bright-colored clothes and stand on the mountain ridge silhouette (recommended red/white).
- **Duration**: Allow 3-4 hours for in-depth shooting.

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### **4. Important Notes (Must Read!)**
1. **Environmental Rules**:
- Wheels must not crush the mountain! The black surface is extremely fragile; tire marks take 50 years to recover.
- Walk on existing trails and avoid stepping on vegetation.
2. **Safety Risks**:
- No signal, no supplies, no rescue; travel in groups (at least two vehicles).
- Bring enough drinking water, snacks, vehicle recovery boards, air pump, satellite phone (rental available).
3. **Weather Warnings**:
- Sandstorms can occur anytime; evacuate immediately if wind speed exceeds level 6.
- Large temperature difference between day and night (30°C daytime, 5°C night); bring windproof jackets.

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### **5. Nearby Attractions**
- **Lenghu Oilfield Base Ruins**: Visit the abandoned "oil ghost town" on the way and shoot apocalyptic ruins (5 km from Heidu Mountain entrance).
- **Mars No.1 Road**: Cross the Robliang Yardang (advance reservation required) to experience Mars-like terrain (about 80 km from Lenghu Town).
- **Mangya Emerald Lake**: A turquoise salt lake (2 hours by car from Heidu Mountain), perfect for stunning drone shots.

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### **6. Accommodation Options**
- **Lenghu Town**:
- Budget: `Yadan Star Hotel`, `Mangya Jinkun Hotel` (about 200-400 RMB/night, book at least 1 month in advance during peak season).
- Camping: Wild camping allowed on the Gobi outside town (beware of wind).
- **Premium Experience**:
- Mars Camp (inside Robliang): Capsule accommodation, immersive Mars experience (about 1200 RMB/person, including meals).

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### **7. Photography Equipment Checklist**
| Category | Recommendation |
|----------|----------------|
| Camera | Full-frame body (high ISO capability) |
| Lenses | Wide-angle (16-35mm) + Telephoto (70-200mm) |
| Accessories | Tripod (essential for star photography), ND filter (for long exposure in daylight), drone (must bring!) |
| Protection | Camera sand cover, lens cleaning wipes |

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**Important Reminder**: Heidu Mountain is not a scenic area, no entrance fee but **no basic facilities**. Respect nature, take all your trash with you, and leave only footprints!