Devil City of the Southern Eight Immortals

address

G315 (Xisha Line) directly under the jurisdiction of the Dachaidan Administrative Committee of Haixi Mongolian Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province

Opening hours

Open all day throughout the year

In the depths of the wasteland at the junction of Qinghai and Gansu, there is a mysterious Yadan landform area known as the “Southern Eight Immortals Devil City”.
It is not a traditional scenic spot. It has no walls and ticket offices. However, because of a real and tragic history and a landscape resembling an alien battlefield, it has attracted countless adventurers and photographers to come to pay tribute and record.

Here, the wind is howling, the sand and dust cover the sun, and the strange earthen forests stand like ghosts. The locals call it the ‘Devil City”’ The name ‘Nan Baxian” comes from the eight female geologists who died here in the 1950s. They used their lives to measure this no-man’s land.

1: Basic situation and geographical location

Chinese name: Nanbaxian Devil City (Nanbaxian Devil City)
Nicknames: Southern Eight Immortals Yadan Group, Eight Immortals Yadan
Altitude: about 2700 meters
Cause of formation:
The sediments of ancient lakes in the Qaidam Basin have undergone long-term wind erosion and water erosion to form a dense Yadan landform group. The mounds are arranged in a northwest—southeast direction, with shapes like castles, warships, and behemoths. The wind sounds like crying at night, so it is called “Devil City.”
Geographical coordinates: In Manya City, Haixi Mongolian Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province, next to National Highway G315, about 60 kilometers from U-shaped highway
The best season:May—October(the climate is stable and warm during the day; winter is cold and windy and sandy)

💡 Historical background:
”The Eight Immortals of the South’ was named in 1955. Eight female members of a geological exploration teamfrom the south encountered a sandstorm while surveying here, and their vehicles fell into a quagmire, and all of them died in the end. In honor of them, the local area named this place “Nan Baxian”.

Two: Traffic guide

Self-driving (the only way)

From Mengya City (Huatugou Town): about 180 kilometers, 2.5 hours by car
From Dachaidan Town: about 380 kilometers, 5 hours by car
Navigation and positioning: search for “South Baxian Devil City” or ‘G315 South Baxian Road”
- It is actually locatednear 270 kilometers of National Highway G315, and there are simple signs on the side of the road.
Road conditions description：
- The main line is G315 National Highway, with good asphalt surface；
- To enter the core area, you need to drive along an unpaved gravel road. It is recommended to drivean SUV or a four-wheel drive vehicle.；
- Some areas are soft and easy to get stuck in the car, so use caution after the rain.

Charter/carpool

You can book the “South Eight Immortals + Shuishang Yadan + Mars Highway” link through the travel agency of Manya or Dachaidan, the cost is about 400-600 yuan/person (including guide)

Public transportation

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

Three: Tickets and opening hours

Whether to charge:free, non-enclosed scenic area, no formal management agency
Whether entry is allowed: you can park freely to take pictures, but there are no service facilities(no toilets, no supplies, no rescue)
Opening hours:Openall day (but extremely dangerous at night,it is strongly recommended to enter during the day)

️️ Important note:
This area belongs to the edge of no man’s land. The terrain is complex and it is easy to get lost or get stuck in a car. It is not recommended to go alone. It is best to go together and be equipped with satellite communication equipment.

Four: Features of attractions and highlights of play

1. Dense Yadan Group-The “Maze of Death” of Wind Sculpture

Yadan mounds are densely arranged, up to 10-20 meters high, with hideous forms, such as blades, forts, and behemoths.；
Due to the erosion of strong winds all year round, the surface of the rock is covered with ravines, and walking in the meantime is like being in a sci-fi battlefield.

2. G315 net red road Linkage

Nan Baxian is one of the earliest popular “Devil City” sections on the G315 National Highway. Along the way, you can take pictures of the “crossing alien” highway.；
In line with the historical story of ”The Eight Immortals of the South’, it has a more humanistic sense.

3. Ultimate light, shadow and aerial photography destination

At sunrise and sunset, the sun shone obliquely, Yadan’s silhouette was elongated, and the colors were golden and dark red intertwined.；
It is allowed to fly drones legally (it is recommended to confirm the policy in advance), and the sky is like an ancient fleet array.

4. Commemorate the “Eight female geological team members”

There are simple monuments or signs (unofficial) on the side of the road, where many travelers will lay flowers, mourn in silence, and pay tribute to unsung heroes.；
It is one of the few geographical landmarks in China named after female scientific researchers.

Five: Precautions and Travel Tips

Safety first, do not go deep into unknown areas
- The terrain is complex, it is easy to get lost or get stuck in the car,and it is only active in flat areas on the side of the road.；
- Do not climb loose rock masses to prevent collapse.
✅ Be fully prepared
- Fill up the oil in advance, and prepare enough drinking water, dry food, and emergency medicines.；
- Carry a satellite phone, walkie-talkie or offline map (Gaode/Baidu), and there is no signal on some sections of the road.
Protection of highlands and deserts
- Ultraviolet rays are extremely strong, so be sure to protect against sun; there is a large temperature difference between day and night, so you need to keep warm from the cold.；
- Wear sunglasses, masks or headscarves to prevent wind and sand from entering your eyes.
Environmentally friendly travel
- There are no garbage disposal facilities, all garbage must be taken away by yourself；
- It is forbidden to lettering, destroy landforms, or take away natural objects.
Respect history and check in with civilization
- Keep solemnly when paying tribute to the ‘Eight Immortals of the South”, do not make noise, do not pose for pictures；
- Do not play around the monument or use improper props.
Avoid extreme weather
- It is strictly forbidden to enter in high winds, sandstorms, and heavy rains.；
- The weather in the Qaidam Basin is changeable, so be sure to check the weather forecast before traveling.

Six: Recommendations for surrounding linkage attractions

U-shaped highway(G315): The visually stunning “Road to Heaven” with a distance of about 60 kilometers
Lake Kinel in Dongtai: Once famous for “Tiffany Blue’ (the water area has been reduced in recent years, it is recommended to consult the water situation)
Usut floating Yadan: It is about a 2-hour drive away, the only floating yadan in China, with a stable landscape
Mars Highway1: Go deep into the hinterland of Oboliang Yadan and experience ‘interstellar crossing”

summary

The answer is: it’s worth it, but only for in-depth adventurers.

Nanbaxian Devil City is not an easy place to check in. It has no services and no guarantees. There is only sand and loneliness. But it carries a true history and has a primitive and rough beauty.
If you are pursuing not only scenery, but also awe of nature and thinking about life, then this road to the “Devil City” is worth a walk.