Three Trips to Qinghai: Always Amazed! Here’s the Ultimate Guide

||| I visited Qinghai in 2017 and 2020 The scenery in Qinghai amazed me back then This May Day, I embarked on my third journey to Qinghai I was even more shocked by the impact this land had on me! This time, I finally explored the dazzling colors of Qinghai! 🚗 Self-Driving Route Day1️⃣ Shanghai ✈️ Dunhuang - Lenghu Town Day2️⃣ Lenghu - Heidushan - Petroleum Town - Eboliang Day3️⃣ Eboliang - Water Yadan - Dongtai Jinaier Lake Day4️⃣ Water Yadan - U-shaped Road - Blood of the Earth - Chaka Salt Lake - Dachaidan Day5️⃣ Dachaidan Emerald Lake - Golden Light Tower - Delingha ✈️ Shanghai This route is part of the Qinghai-Gansu Grand Loop, starting from Dunhuang to Delingha, crossing the entire Qaidam Basin, passing through colorful salt lakes, various Yadans, and the ink-wash painting-like Heidushan, making one marvel at the wonders of nature! Recommended Attractions 📍 Dachaidan Emerald Lake (Pics 9, 16, 17, 18) Must-Visit Located in Dachaidan Town, the scenic area has colorful salt lakes, especially stunning on sunny days, great for aerial photography. 📍 Chaka Salt Lake (Pics 1, 15) Can Skip if Time is Tight Located in Golmud City, it takes about one and a half hours from Dachaidan to reach, and another half-hour by scenic area bus to enter, which is time-consuming. Known for its green apple-colored salt lake, great for aerial shots. 📍 Dongtai Jinaier Lake (Pic 6) Free, Must-Visit Located next to Water Yadan, known as the Maldives of Qinghai. Now has a sightseeing road to the lake. The color is superb, not to be missed! 📍 Water Yadan (Pics 7, 13) Recommended The only water Yadan group in the world, a rare spectacle that might dry up someday. However, the accommodation conditions in the scenic area are average. 📍 Eboliang (Pics 8, 10) Can Skip if Time is Tight, Must-Visit for Star Lovers A Yadan group deep in the Gobi Desert, resembling the surface of Mars, far from human habitation, making it a paradise for star photography. However, the road conditions are poor, and the journey is long, with expensive tickets. Can be skipped if time is tight. 📍 Heidushan (Pic 5) Free, Must-Visit The most popular attraction in Lenghu Town in recent years, drive to the parking lot and walk in. The black and gray mountain structure creates a stunning ink-wash painting. 📍 U-shaped Road (Pic 2) Free, Must-Visit A section of National Highway 315, park by the roadside, very photogenic. 📍 Blood of the Earth (Pic 14) Can Be Aerial Photographed When Passing By National Highway 315, not very vivid to the naked eye and requires aerial photography to see the full picture. Aerial photography enthusiasts can take a quick shot when passing by. 📍 Petroleum Town (Pic 4) Free, Recommended An abandoned petroleum town near Lenghu Town, can be visited after Heidushan. 📍 Delingha Golden Light Tower (Pic 3) Recommended A solar power installation next to Delingha City, very sci-fi!