Dongtai Jiner Lake: A Blue-and-White Secret Paradise on the Plateau

address

In the Qaidam Basin, National Highway 315, Golmud City, Haixi Mongolian Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province

Opening hours

Open all day throughout the year

Deep within the vast, desolate heart of the Qaidam Basin lies a dreamlike lake—Dongtai Jianer Lake. Its crystal-clear waters shimmer in a breathtaking Tiffany blue, starkly contrasting the surrounding grayish-white salt flats and distant mountain ranges. Like a sapphire embedded in the Gobi Desert, it’s hailed as “China’s inland lake most resembling the Maldives.”

Once a “viral hidden gem” along the Gansu-Qinghai Grand Loop, its water levels have fluctuated slightly in recent years. Yet its unique color and extreme wilderness beauty continue to draw countless photography enthusiasts and adventurous travelers seeking to capture its essence.

Basic situation and geographical location

Chinese name: Dongtai Jinair Lake (Dongtai Jinair Lake)
Altitude: about 2680 meters
The reason for its formation: The inland salt lake is supplied by the meltwater of Kunlun snow-capped mountains. The lake is rich in minerals such as lithium, potassium, and magnesium. It evaporates and crystallizes to form a high concentration of brine, showing a unique blue-green hue.
Geographical coordinates: Manya City, Haixi Mongolian Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province, located next to National Highway G315
Best season: June—September (summer has the richest water volume and the brightest lake color; the color is more saturated after the rain)

️️ Important note: In recent years, affected by climate and mining development, the area of the lake has shrunk and some areas have dried up, but the core waters still retain their dreamy colors and are worth visiting.

Traffic guide

Self-driving (the only recommended way)

From Dachaidan Town: about 300 kilometers, 4 hours by car, westbound along G315 National Highway
From Manya City (Huatugou): about 200 kilometers, 2.5 hours by car
Navigation and positioning: Search for “Dongtai Jinnai Lake” or “G315 Dongtai Jinnai Lake Scenic Area“
Road conditions description: The whole journey is G315 National Highway, with good asphalt roads and ordinary cars can pass, but there are few people along the way, so sufficient fuel and supplies are required.

Public transportation

There is no public transportation to reach, and it is not recommended for car-free tourists to go

Tips：

There is no clear entrance to the scenic area in the lake District. It is an open natural landscape. You can park and take pictures along the G315 roadside.；
It is recommended to use offline maps (such as Gaode and Baidu), some sections of the road have no signal；
This destination can be combined with Xitai Jianer Lake, the U-shaped Highway, and Mars Camp to create a classic “trending photo spot route.”

Tickets and opening hours

Whether there is a fee:it is free to open, no tickets, no management
Is there a sightseeing car: No, you need to drive to the lake by yourself
Opening hours: Open all day (it is recommended to go during the day, no lighting at night, there is a safety risk)

Attractions and highlights

1. Dreamy ”Tiffany Blue’ lake

Due to the high concentration of lithium brine reflecting sunlight, the lake water presents a clear blue-green color like sea water. On a sunny day, it is like the “Maldives in the Gobi”. It is a paradise for photography lovers.

2. G315 National Highway passes through the lake

A straight section of highway passes through the lake, forming a spectacle of “water highway” (actually an asphalt road on a dry salt shell). Vehicles passing by seem to float on the lake, which is very visually impactful.

3. Aerial photography (drone friendly)

There is no no-fly zone in the lake Area and it is an excellent location for aerial photography. After the drone takes off, it can take pictures of the geometric texture of the lake, the winding roads and the magnificent scene on the first line of heaven and earth.

4. The difference from Lake Kinel in Xitai

Dongtai Jinan Lake: mainly blue brine lake, with pure colors, suitable for photography;
Xitaijinai Lake: closer to Feicui Lake, some areas have dried up, but there is a “Water Yadan” linkage route.

Precautions and Travel tips

Environmental protection first：
- It is strictly forbidden to throw garbage into the lake, step on the salt crystal layer or take away the lake water.；
- Don’t destroy the natural landscape and “travel without trace”.
Safety warning：
- Some areas of the lake are wet salt marshes, which seem hard but are actually soft. Do not go deep into the heart of the lake to prevent cars or people from getting trapped.；
- G315 has a fast speed. When parking to take pictures, be sure to choose a safe viewing belt. Pull over, take pictures quickly, and leave quickly.
Dress advice：
- Wear colorful clothes (white, red, yellow) to take pictures and make movies；
- Wear sunglasses, sunscreen, hat, anti-ultraviolet light；
- Wear non-slip shoes to avoid slipping on the edge of the salt shell.
Supply preparation：
- There are no gas stations, restaurants, or toilets along the way. It is recommended to fill up the oil and prepare enough water and food in advance at Dachaidan or Manya.；
- Bring garbage bags and take all garbage away by yourself.
Best shooting time：
- Early morning (7:00-9:00): The light is soft, the lake is calm, and there are few tourists；
- Evening (18:00-20:00): The setting sun shines golden on the lake, and the colors are warmer.

Summary: Is it worth a visit?

The answer is: it’s worth it, but we need to approach it rationally. Although Dongtai Jinnai Lake is not as abundant as before, it is still one of the most unique salt lake landscapes in China. Its beauty lies not only in that touch of blue, but also in the visual miracle that suddenly appears in the wilderness, which is the best interpretation of loneliness and freedom.

In recent years, due to the continuous drought and climate impact, the water area of Dongtai Jinnai Lake has significantly decreased, especially during the dry season (October April of the following year), some areas have dried up, and the lake surface has shrunk significantly, greatly reducing the landscape effect.
If you plan to go, it is recommended to consult our travel consultant in advance and determine whether it is worth visiting based on real-time water conditions to avoid a wasted trip.

Fortunately, the nearby Water Yadan Landform Scenic Area currently has a stable landscape, surrounded by clear water and numerous Yadan forests, with magnificent scenery that is still worth visiting and can even be included as a substitute highlight in the itinerary.

📌One sentence recommendation:
Passing through G315, if you don’t take a glance at the Tiffany Blue of Dongtai Jin’er Lake, your journey to the northwest will lack an ultimate romance.