Intrude into an alien secret realm! The complete family adventure guide to the "Eye of the Devil" in Mangya, Qinghai

At the desolate end of the Qaidam Basin lies a land quietly opening its "eye"—Aiken Spring. The rolling yellow-red spring water spreads like lava, contrasting sharply with the surrounding colorful sulfur deposits, resembling an extraterrestrial landscape. Bringing your kids here feels like embarking on a real-life sci-fi adventure!

▪️ Coordinates and Navigation

Moherbuluke Village, Huatugou Town, Mangya City, Haixi Prefecture, Qinghai, about 30 kilometers from Huatugou Town. Set your navigation to "Aiken Spring Scenic Area," but note that the last stretch before entering the scenic area is an unpaved dirt road, so drive carefully.

▪️ Transportation Tips

Strongly recommend driving an SUV or hiring a car! Regular sedans are prone to scraping the chassis. After passing the checkpoint, follow the road signs, then turn onto the dirt road and drive for about 30 minutes. The vast Gobi scenery along the way is bleak and magnificent, perfect for sharing geological facts with your kids.

▪️ Family Photography Tips

A drone is a must-have tool! From a high-altitude perspective, the spring eye and the colorful sediment bands form a stunning "earth pupil." You can also have your kids stand by the safety fence and take silhouette photos with the spring as the background. The colorful mineral patterns reflected in small puddles on the ground make every shot look like a sci-fi blockbuster!

▪️ Science Mini-Class

The spring water of Aiken Spring is rich in sulfuric acid and sulfur, which over time forms a hard crust landscape that cracks underfoot. You can observe with your kids the barren area around the spring and discuss the impact of acidic soil on the ecological environment—this trip is not only a visual feast but also a natural science classroom.

Post by ameliabreeze | Oct 25, 2025