New Landmark for Travel in Qinghai

Chaka Sky No.1 Scenic Area is a relatively new attraction at Qinghai Chaka Salt Lake, known as the "Mirror of the Sky." It draws many visitors with its unique salt lake landscape, rich cultural experiences, and relatively well-developed facilities. Here is a practical travel guide for you.

🌊 Chaka Sky No.1 Scenic Area Travel Guide

✨ Highlights of the Scenic Area

- **"Mirror of the Sky" Wonder**: The most captivating feature of Chaka Salt Lake is its mirror-like surface that perfectly reflects the sky, clouds, and distant mountains. The scenic area has multiple **submerged boardwalks** (such as Falling Koi, Four-Leaf Clover, Eternal Diamond, Heart Salt Path, etc.) that allow you to safely walk into the lake and capture dreamy "sky and water as one" photos. The mirror effect is especially striking before 9 AM and after 5 PM.

- **Two-Color Lake Landscape**: Due to differences in salt concentration, the mirror lake and outer lake in the scenic area display **deep blue and emerald green** colors, creating a unique "one lake, two colors" view.

- **Lake Loop Sightseeing Train**: A distinctive sightseeing train runs on an 8.5-kilometer track with 5 stops. Riding the train makes it easy to tour the entire scenic area and is also a great photo spot.

- **Salt Culture and Multi-Ethnic Cultural Fusion**: The scenic area centers on salt lake landscapes and salt culture, while also integrating ancient Qiang Jingpo culture and Dedu Mongolian culture. You can see giant **salt sculpture camels**, explore the origins of salt culture at the Manao Zongge Square, and even enjoy Qinghai Province’s first large-scale live performance series "Impression Chaka" (including "Grassland Hero—Genghis Khan" and other shows), learning history through exciting equestrian performances.

- **Plateau Starry Sky Experience**: Chaka Salt Lake is a favored stargazing spot for international astronomy enthusiasts and has been designated a "Dark Night Sky Protection Area." At night, you can admire the dazzling Milky Way. The scenic area offers various unique accommodations such as **starry sky bubble houses**, RV campsites, and Mongolian yurts, giving you the chance to immerse yourself under the stars.

🗺️ Overview of Chaka Sky No.1 Scenic Area

```mermaid
flowchart TD
A[Chaka Sky No.1 Scenic Area Travel Guide] --> B{Core Experiences}
A --> C{Practical Information}
A --> D{Itinerary & Tips}
A --> E{Special Experiences}

subgraph B[Core Experiences & Attractions]
B1["Mirror of the Sky Photography
Submerged Boardwalks
Mirror Reflection"]
B2["Lake Loop Train
8.5 km Track
5 Stops"]
B3["Cultural Attractions
Salt Sculpture Camels
Manao Zongge Square"]
B4["Natural Wonders
Two-Color Lake
Snow-Capped Mountains"]
end

subgraph C[Practical Information]
C1["Tickets
Peak season approx. 60 RMB/person
Train ticket extra"]
C2["Opening Hours
Varies by season
Summer 07:00-22:00"]
C3["Transportation
Drive to scenic area parking
Take shuttle bus inside"]
end

subgraph D[Itinerary & Tips]
D1["Best Time
July-September (peak season)
or less crowded winter"]
D2["Duration
Recommended 2-3 hours
or stay overnight for stargazing"]
D3["Clothing Guide
Bright clothes
Warm jacket
Sun protection gear"]
end

subgraph E[Special Experiences]
E1["'Impression Chaka'
Live Equestrian Show"]
E2["Stargazing &
Unique Accommodations"]
E3["Plateau Dead Sea Floating Pavilion
Salt Therapy & Wellness"]
end

B --> E
C --> D
D --> B

```

ℹ️ Practical Information

- **Ticket Reference**:
- Peak season ticket: about 60 RMB per person.
- Sightseeing train ticket: about 40 RMB per person (actual prices subject to daily official announcements).
- The scenic area often offers package deals such as **ticket + train + shoe covers + souvenirs**, which you can choose according to your needs.
- Note: Certain groups like high school and college exam candidates may enjoy free admission during specific periods; please follow official scenic area information.

- **Opening Hours**:
- Hours vary by season.
- **May 1 to October 31**: Generally **07:00-22:00** (ticket sales and entry may close earlier, e.g., ticket sales and entry might stop at 20:30).
- Other seasons have shorter hours, for example, winter may be 08:30-18:00 or 08:30-20:00.
- It is recommended to check the latest opening hours through official channels before your trip.

- **Transportation**:
- **Self-driving**: Navigate to "**Chaka Sky No.1 Hotel**" to reach the scenic area entrance directly.
- Private cars usually cannot drive directly into the core area of Chaka Salt Lake and must take a **shuttle bus**.

🧳 Travel Tips and Precautions

1. **Best Time to Visit**:
- **Season**: **July to September** is the peak travel season in Qinghai, with relatively warm weather and pleasant scenery. Winter (November to April) sees fewer tourists, with serene snowy salt lake views. The scenic area may offer free admission in winter and spring, but be sure to dress warmly.
- **Time of Day**: The best time to photograph the "Mirror of the Sky" is **around sunrise (before 9 AM) and sunset (after 5 PM)**, when the light is soft and the lake surface is calm, producing the most magical photos.

2. **Duration**: It is recommended to allocate **3-4 hours** or more for your visit. If you plan to watch live performances, ride the sightseeing train, take detailed photos, or stay overnight in a starry sky hotel, you will need a full day or an overnight stay.

3. **Clothing and Gear**:
- **Clothing**: Even in summer, bring a **warm jacket** due to the large temperature difference between day and night on the plateau. For photos, choose **brightly colored clothes** (red, white, blue, or other solid colors). Red is very common, so consider other colors if you want to stand out.
- **Footwear**: You can bring **high-top shoe covers** (available for rent at the scenic area) to protect against saltwater corrosion.
- **Protection**: The plateau has strong UV rays, so **sunglasses, sunscreen, and a sun hat** are essential.

4. **Important Reminders**:
- **Safety First**: There are many **sinkholes (dark pits)** in the salt lake, usually darker in color. Do not step into them to avoid danger.
- **Protect the Environment**: Do not litter and help preserve this fragile natural landscape.
- **Altitude Sickness**: The scenic area is about 3,000 meters above sea level. Avoid strenuous exercise and pace yourself. If needed, prepare altitude sickness medication in advance.

I hope this guide helps you better plan your trip to Chaka. Whether it’s for the mirror lake reflecting the sky or the dazzling starry sky, Chaka Sky No.1 is definitely worth your visit.