Chal Khan Salt Lake: The largest salt Lake in China

In the hinterland of Qinghai, there is a natural wonder that is wider than Chaka Salt Lake and more shocking than Emerald Lake-Cha’erhan Salt Lake (Cha’erhan Salt Lake).
It is the largest and most abundant inland salt lake in China, with a total area of 5,856 square kilometers, which is equivalent to 10 Chaka salt lakes and is known as the “King of Salt Lakes in China.”

Not only is there a beautiful view of the “Mirror of the sky” that reflects the sky like a mirror, but there is also a salt-paved Wanzhang Salt Bridge highway that spans 32 kilometers on the lake and is part of the G215 National Highway. It can be called a “Wonder of the world”.

Charkhan Salt Lake is not only a visual feast, but also the “lifeblood” of China’s potash industry.

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1: Basic situation and geographical location

• Chinese name: Cha’erhan Salt Lake (Cha’erhan Salt Lake)
• Altitude: about 2670 meters
• Reason for its formation:
  The lowest-lying part of the Qaidam Basin is formed by the convergence of multiple inland rivers. After long-term evaporation, the lake water crystallizes huge amounts of sodium chloride, potassium chloride and other salts, forming a salt shell that is tens of meters thick.
• Geographic coordinates: Golmud City, Haixi Mongolian Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province, at the northern foot of Kunlun Mountain
• The best season:June to September (the amount of water in summer is moderate, the lake surface reflects light, and the color is pure); it is also available in spring and autumn, and some areas are frozen in winter.

💡 Fun fact:
‘Chal Khan“ means ”the world of Salt“ in Mongolian. This is the largest potash fertilizer production base in China and is known as the ”Salt Capital of China.’

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Two: How to get there? Traffic guide

Self-driving (the most recommended way)

• From Golmud City: about 60 kilometers, 1 hour by car, follow the G215 National Highway (or G3011 Liuge Expressway to S201) directly
• Departure from Chaka Salt Lake: about 700 kilometers, 9 hours by car, suitable for tourists on the Ganqing Ring Road
• Navigation and positioning: search for “Chahar Khan Salt Lake Scenic Area’ or ‘Wanzhang Salt Bridge”
• Road conditions description: The whole journey is asphalt/high-speed road, the road conditions are good, and ordinary cars can pass through

Charter/carpool

• There are travel agencies in Golmud city that provide one-day tour services, which cost about 150-250 yuan/person (including pick-up and drop-off)
• Participate in the Ganqing Grand Ring Route group, most of the itinerary will be arranged to pass through the Chalhan Salt Lake

Public transportation

• There is no direct shuttle bus, and it is not recommended for car-free tourists to go

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Three: Tickets and opening hours

• Ticket price(100RMB in total)：
  • Adult ticket:40 yuan/person(reference price in 2024)
  • Student/elderly ticket:25 yuan/person(with valid ID)
• Scenic sightseeing bus:60 yuan/person(transfer is required in some areas, and the Salt Bridge section can be passed by car)
• Opening hours：
  • Peak season (May-October): 08:00–19:00
  • Off-season (November-April): 09:00–18:00

💡 Tips：

• Wanzhangyanqiao is a normal section of the G215 National Highway and can pass without a ticket.；
• If you want to go deep into the observation deck, take pictures and check in or visit the Salt Lake Crystal Pool, it is recommended to purchase a ticket to enter the core area of the scenic area.

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Four: Features of attractions and highlights of play

10,000. -meter salt bridge-a 32-kilometer road paved with salt

• This is the longest natural salt bridge in the world. The entire bridge is supported by a salt shell, which is more than 15 meters thick and has a very strong load-bearing capacity. It can pass safely for large trucks.；
• On both sides of the highway are turquoise or milky white salt ponds, reflecting the sky, as if driving on top of the ‘mirror of the sky”.；
• It is a paradise for photography enthusiasts, especially after the rain or in the early morning, the lake is like a mirror and the cars are like flying.

2. ”Mirror of the Sky’ Reflection Spectacle

• The surface of the lake is as flat as a mirror, and on a sunny day, you can take a dream blockbuster of “walking in the sky” and “Che Fuyun Duan”.；
• The color changes with the light, showing a palette effect of emerald green, milky white, and light blue intertwined.

3The. wonders of salt flowers and crystallization pool

• The scenic area has an observation deck, where you can see salt flowers(natural sculptures formed by salt crystals) up close, in the form of corals, ice flowers, and pagodas.；
• Large artificial evaporation ponds are stacked layer by layer, like a ‘sky field”, which has a very industrial aesthetic.

4. UAV aerial photography resort

• It is allowed to fly drones legally, and from the air, the salt lake is like a huge jigsaw puzzle, and the salt bridge is like a jade belt walking through, which is visually stunning.

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Five: Precautions and Travel Tips

1. Environmental protection first
   • It is strictly forbidden to throw garbage into the lake, step on the salt crystal layer or take away the salt mass；
   • The ecology of the salt Lake is fragile, so “seamless travel” can be achieved.
2. Safe driving
   • G215 is the main traffic road, the speed is fast,do not stop in the middle of the road to take pictures；
   • If you need to shoot, please stop at the designated observation deck or safe parking zone for a short time.
3. Sunscreen and windproof
   • The plateau has extremely strong ultraviolet rays, so be sure to wear sunglasses, hats, and sunscreens.；
   • The Gobi is windy and sandy, so it is recommended to wear a mask or turban.
4. Dressing advice
   • Wear colorful clothes (red, yellow, and white) to take pictures and make movies；
   • Avoid wearing high heels, the edges of the salt shell may be slippery.
5. Replenishment preparation
   • There are few catering facilities inside and outside the scenic area, so it is recommended to bring your own water and dry food；
   • Please take away all garbage by yourself.

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Six: Recommendations for surrounding linkage attractions

• Kunlun Yuxu Peak: About 120 kilometers away, a holy place in Tibetan Buddhism, with beautiful reflections from snow-capped mountains
• Kekexili Nature Reserve(overlook): Wild animals such as Tibetan antelope and wild donkey can be observed along the way
• Golmud populus forest: Golden in autumn, about 40 kilometers from the city
• Scenery along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway: Parallel to the Salt Lake, you can take pictures of the magnificent scenery of the train crossing the wasteland

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Seven: Summary

The answer is: it’s well worth it!

Charkhan Salt Lake is not only the largest salt Lake in China, but also a miracle of symbiosis between nature and industry. It has both the romance of the ”Mirror of the Sky“ and the hardcore of the ”Wanzhang Salt Bridge’. It is an underrated treasure attraction in the Qinghai-Gansu Grand Loop （Ganqing Great Loop.