Chai'erlong Haitianchi: Hike the Secret Realm and Capture Swiss-Style Masterpieces

1. Core Scene: The Aesthetic of a Heavenly Pool Surrounded by Snowy Mountains Chai'erlong Haitianchi (altitude 4000 meters) is the largest alpine lake in the Qilian Mountains, embraced by the Aniganggar Snow Mountain range. The lake water, like a sapphire, is set between grasslands and glaciers. It is recommended to choose the core hiking trail in the Binggou River Scenic Area (one way 10 km, taking 5-6 hours), passing through primeval forests, meadows, and glacier relics, where every step encounters breathtaking natural landscapes. 2. Photography Tips: 5 Key Scenes to Unlock the High-Altitude Sophistication 1. Wooden Boardwalk and Snow Mountain Panorama ◦ Composition: At the 360° viewing platform in the middle of the wooden boardwalk, use a wide-angle lens (such as 16-35mm) to shoot the “S-shaped composition” of snow mountains, grasslands, and winding boardwalk, with the subject standing at the end of the boardwalk to create a deep “human and landscape integration” effect. ◦ Light and Shadow: Arrive before 7 a.m. to capture the “ink painting” texture of snow mountains faintly visible in the morning mist; in the evening, use a telephoto lens (70-200mm) to compress space and shoot the “sunlit golden mountain” spectacle as the sunset gilds the snow peaks. ◦ Motion: Have the model run along the boardwalk, use burst mode to capture the fluttering hair and clothes, and slow down the motion in post-production to create a cinematic feel. 2. Heavenly Pool Reflections and Glacier Blue ◦ Mirror Shooting: At the shallow beach on the west side of the heavenly pool, lower the camera angle to shoot a symmetrical composition of the person and the snow mountain reflection. Use an ND filter to extend exposure to 30 seconds, making the water surface appear silky. ◦ Glacier Interaction: Hike to the south shore of the heavenly pool and take photos with exposed glacier relics. It is recommended to wear bright-colored jackets (such as bright red or vivid yellow) to create a strong color contrast with the blue ice, using a wide-angle lens to highlight the rugged texture of the glacier. ◦ Detail Shots: Use a macro lens to shoot bubbles in ice cracks and lichens by the lake, paired with a polarizing filter (CPL) to enhance color saturation. 3. Forest Secret Realm and Wildlife ◦ Tyndall Effect: When sunlight slants through the forest in the early morning or evening, light beams appear. Have the model stand in the light beam and shoot backlit close-ups of glowing hair, adding a soft light filter in post-production. ◦ Encountering Elves: Near the Nimela Grand Canyon, you may encounter wild sheep and yellow-bellied warblers. Use a telephoto lens (over 200mm) for distant shots to avoid disturbing wildlife. ◦ Ancient Tree Stories: Take photos with century-old cypress trees, touching the bark and gazing at the camera. Adjust the tone to dark cyan in post to convey the mood of “dialogue with time.” 4. Binggou River Canyon Wonders ◦ Ice Blossoms: In June and July, the ice in the canyon has not melted, with flowing water beneath and rhododendrons blooming proudly on the ice. Shoot the contrast of “ice and flowers” from a low angle, using HDR mode on your phone to preserve highlight details. ◦ Stream Symphony: Use a slow shutter (1/15 second) to shoot silky water flow downstream of the waterfall. Have the subject sit on a rock with flowing water in the foreground to highlight the balance of motion and tranquility. 5. Starry Sky and Milky Way Feast ◦ Night Shooting: The scenic area has very low light pollution, and the Milky Way is clearly visible in summer. Use a tripod and a large aperture lens (such as 24mm f/1.4), ISO 3200, 15-second exposure to shoot the heavenly pool under the starry sky. Add prayer flags or tents in the foreground to increase layering. ◦ Time-lapse Photography: Use the phone’s “time-lapse mode” to record star trails, adding wind and stream sounds as background music in post-production. 3. Clothing and Gear: The Detail Code for High-Altitude Shots • Clothing: ◦ Main Colors: Choose bright-colored jackets like bright red, vivid yellow, and cobalt blue to create visual impact with snow mountains and grasslands; pair with quick-dry inner layers for easy dressing to cope with variable plateau weather. ◦ Material: Mainly waterproof and windproof fabrics; avoid cotton which absorbs moisture and adds weight. High-top hiking boots are recommended to protect ankles during hiking. • Accessories: ◦ Wide-brimmed sun hats (UV protection), sunglasses (to prevent snow blindness), woven bracelets (to add ethnic style). ◦ Carry a transparent raincoat (due to frequent rain on the plateau); the transparent material can be used as a shooting prop to create a hazy “rainy heavenly pool” effect. • Equipment: ◦ Camera: Wide-angle lens (for large scenes) + telephoto lens (for snow mountain details), tripod (essential for long exposures). ◦ Phone: Turn on “cinematic mode” to record hiking time-lapses; add Tibetan music (such as the string version of “Qinghai-Tibet Plateau”) in post with video editing apps. 4. Transportation and Tips: Safety Guide for Plateau Hiking • Transportation: ◦ Self-driving: Navigate to “Binggou River Scenic Area,” about 3.5 hours from Lanzhou, with free parking at the scenic spot. ◦ Public Transport: Rent a car or charter from Wuwei city (about 300 RMB/day), with the option to visit the Wushaoling Great Wall en route. • Precautions: ◦ Arrive at the scenic area one day in advance to acclimate to the altitude and avoid strenuous exercise. ◦ Carry oxygen bottles and altitude sickness medicine (Rhodiola), drink small amounts of water frequently during hiking. ◦ Respect the local ecology; carry out all trash; do not touch glaciers or vegetation. At Chai'erlong Hai, every shutter click is a dialogue with nature—when glacier meltwater laps at your ankles, when prayer flags flutter in the mountain wind, no complicated composition is needed; just press the shutter, and your own highland epic is captured.🌄📸