Dragon Boat Festival Travel: A Mini Guide to Chaka Salt Lake

Traveling to Northwest China 🚗
You can't miss the iconic "Chaka Salt Lake"!
Some say it's the "Sky Mirror" straight out of a Miyazaki film ☁️
Others argue: it's too weather-dependent, maybe skip it?
I visited during May Day and here are some honest tips 👇

🌟 Things to Know Before You Go:

1️⃣ Chaka Salt Lake actually has two areas:

"Sky Mirror": The older area, focused on scenic views and photography, with salt sculptures.

"Sky No.1": Newly developed, featuring entertainment facilities and trendy photo spots.
👉 Tickets are sold separately for the two areas; "Sky Mirror" is more recommended.

2️⃣ 🎫 Free admission in May 2024 (Sky Mirror)
Zhejiang residents enjoy free entry all year—don't miss out on this perk!

3️⃣ Chaka Salt Lake was selected by National Geographic as one of the "55 Places to Visit in Your Lifetime" 👍
The facilities have been upgraded this year, making it much better than before.

📍 How to Explore with Ease and Take Stunning Photos:

🚐 Visitor Center → Free shuttle bus → Scenic area entrance
Once inside, you have three options:

🔸 Option 1: Walk the entire route
About 40 minutes one way, ideal for those with good stamina and who want to take their time for photos.

🔸 Option 2: Take the small train (round trip + shoe covers + electric car)
💰 108 RMB, covers 4 stops, convenient but slightly pricey.

🔸 Option 3 (Recommended!): Train one way + walk back
Saves energy while allowing freedom for photography 📸 Best value for money!

🚩 Highlights of the 4 Key Photo Spots:

1️⃣ Sky Mirror Station: Salt sculpture display area.
2️⃣ Sky Road Station: Iconic road sign photo spot 🚏
3️⃣ Sky Bliss Station (Must-visit!): Snow-capped mountains reflected on the lake, the most "Sky Mirror"-like scene ☁️🏔️
4️⃣ Sky Green Water Station: Apple-green lake water 🍏, reminiscent of Qarhan Salt Lake.

⚠️ Important Tips to Avoid Pitfalls:

✅ Shoe covers 💰10 RMB, deposit 💰50 RMB—wear them for sure!
❌ Don't go barefoot for photos; the high salt content can corrode wounds.

✅ Watch out for dark pits on the ground—they're salt holes, some as deep as 7-8 meters, and stepping into one is dangerous!

✅ Weather is crucial!
Aim for sunny or partly cloudy days; afternoon light is better than morning for stronger mirror effects.
☁️ Overcast days can be disappointing, with nothing but a white haze in photos.

✅ UV rays are intense!
🕶️ Sunglasses and sunscreen are a must.
🎨 Wear red, yellow, or bright-colored clothes for better photos; a scarf adds flair to your shots.

✅ Northwest has big temperature differences—bring a light down jacket! It may be hot during the day, but nights can get really cold.

📌 Summary:
Chaka Salt Lake isn't the kind of place that's "beautiful no matter when you visit," but
🌞 With good weather and the right timing for photos,
💯 It's absolutely worth the ticket price. The mirror-like lake and snow-capped mountains will leave you speechless!