Dachaidan Emerald Lake: A Secret Realm of the Gobi Desert

Deep within the vast expanse of the Qaidam Basin lies a dreamlike lake—the Emerald Lake of Daxaidam. Like a jade gem embedded in the wilderness, its crystal-clear waters shimmer with vibrant hues. Under the sun, the lake radiates an interplay of emerald green, deep blue, and milky white, earning it the titles “China’s Tiffany Blue” and “Sky Mirror of the Gobi.”

This is a paradise for photography enthusiasts and a hidden gem for road trippers. Whether you’re traversing Qinghai along National Highway G315 or planning the Grand Qinghai-Gansu Loop, Daqaidam Emerald Lake is worth a stop—whether for an hour or an entire day.

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Basic situation and geographical location

• Chinese name: Dachaidan Emerald Lake (also known as ‘Dachaidan Salt Lake”)
• Altitude: about 3200 meters
• Reason for its formation: It was originally a pit lake left over from mining in the Dachaidan Salt Mine. Because it is rich in lithium, magnesium, potassium and other minerals, the lake water presents a unique color. After years of natural precipitation and oxidation, it has formed today’s colorful lake group.
• Geographic coordinates: Dachaidan County, Haixi Mongolian Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province
• The best season: May—October (the lake is the clearest and the colors are the most vivid in summer; the light and shadow are soft in autumn, which is suitable for photography)

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How do I get there? Traffic guide

Self-driving (the most recommended way)

• From Dachaidan Town: about 15 kilometers, it can be reached in 20 minutes by driving along the S307 provincial Highway. The road conditions are good and ordinary cars can pass through.
• From Dunhuang: about 550 kilometers, 7 hours by car, passing through G3011 Liuge Expressway + S307 Provincial Highway.
• From Delingha: about 350 kilometers, 5 hours by car.
• Navigation and positioning: Search for “Dachaidan Emerald Lake Scenic Area‘ or ‘Dachaidan Emerald Lake Observation Deck‘.

Charter/carpool

• If you participate in a small group or free travel on the Ganqing Great Ring Road, most trips will include Emerald Lake as a must-stop.
• There are local travel agencies in Dachaidan town that provide day trip services, which cost about 100-150 yuan/person.

Public transportation

• There is no direct shuttle bus, and it is not recommended to go purely by public transportation.

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Tickets and opening hours

• Ticket price:50 RMB/person(reference price for 2024, half price for students)
• Round-trip train:60 RMB/person (one-way), because private cars are prohibited in some areas, you need to transfer to a scenic sightseeing bus
• Opening hours: 08:00– 19:00 (summer）；09:00 – 18:00（ Winter)
• Do you need to make an appointment? There is no need to make an appointment at present. You can enter the park by purchasing tickets on site.

💡Tip: It is recommended to go in the early morning or evening to avoid the strong noon light. At this time, the reflection of the lake is soft, the colors are more transparent, and there are fewer tourists, making it suitable for taking pictures.

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Attractions and highlights

1. Colorful lake, unpredictable

Due to the different mineral concentrations in the lake, each pool shows emerald green, sky blue, milky white, amber yellow and other colors. Under sunlight, it is like an overturned palette. Especially on sunny days, the lake is like a glass mirror, reflecting the sky and clouds.

2. Boardwalk and observation deck

A well-established wooden plank road and multiple viewing platforms have been built in the scenic area to facilitate tourists to visit safely while protecting the fragile salt lake ecology. The high-altitude observation deck can overlook the entire lake group, making it an excellent location for aerial photography.

3. Aerial photography is available (drones are allowed)

Emerald Lake is one of the fewsalt Lake scenic spots that allows legal flying of drones. It is recommended to bring drones to photograph the geometric lakes and winding plank roads from God’s perspective.

4. The difference from Chaka Salt Lake

• Chaka Salt Lake is more famous, but it is crowded；
• Emerald Lake is more niche and primitive, the color of the lake is richer, and there is no need to enter the lake barefoot, making the tour experience more comfortable.

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Precautions and Travel tips

1. Plateau protection: At an altitude of 3200 meters, those who are new to the plateau should avoid strenuous exercise to prevent high blood pressure.
2. Sun protection and windproof: Located in the Gobi, ultraviolet rays are extremely strong, so be sure to wear sunglasses, hats, and sunscreen; if the wind is strong, keep warm.
3. Environmental protection requirements: It is strictly forbidden to throw garbage into the lake, step on the crystalline salt layer or take away the lake water/minerals.
4. Dressing recommendations: Wear colorful clothes (red, yellow, and white) to take pictures and make more films; avoid wearing high heels and the edges of the plank road are slippery.
5. Best shooting time：
   • Early morning: 6:30-8:30, the lake is calm, and the morning sun reflects；
   • Evening: 18:00-19:30, the golden setting sun shines on the lake, and the light and shadow are charming.
6. Surrounding linkage attractions：
   • Dachaidan Hot Spring (drive away the cold and relax)
   • Red Cliff Martian Landscape (sci-fi style punch-in)
   • G315 net celebrity U-shaped highway (a holy place for taking pictures, pay attention to safety)

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Summary: Is it worth a visit?

The answer is: it’s well worth it!

Although Dachaidan Emerald Lake is not as well-known as Chaka Salt Lake, its colors are more vivid, the environment is quieter, and the experience is more free. It is not a simple ‘mirror of the sky”, but an abstract art painting created by nature and industry.

📌 A word of recommendation:
If you walk through G315 but never stop at this jasper lake light, then your trip to the northwest will lose a touch of the most moving color.