Ulan Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Jun)

Salt Lake

Caka Salt Lake, situated in Qinghai, China, is a natural wonder renowned for its ethereal beauty. Spanning over 100 square kilometers, it's one of the largest saltwater lakes in the region. What sets Caka apart is its striking pink hue during certain seasons, attributed to the presence of microorganisms and high salinity. The lake's landscape is surreal, with vast salt flats extending to the horizon, forming mesmerizing hexagonal patterns. Caka Salt Lake is also ecologically significant, providing habitat for migratory birds and supporting unique flora and fauna adapted to extreme salinity. Tourists are drawn not only to its surreal landscapes but also to the cultural richness of the Tibetan and Mongolian communities in the surrounding areas, making Caka Salt Lake a destination of natural and cultural intrigue. #timetotravel #China #instatravel

A Fairy lake surrounded by snowy mountains

Chaka Salt lake is a naturally crystallized saline lake surrounded by snow capped mountains in Haixi Prefecture, Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, China. It is located at an altitude of approx 3000m about 300km from Xining. The combination of the white lake with reflection of the sky in the water, the distant snowy mountain range, the fresh wind makes it a magical place. I went there in May. It snowed in the evening the day I reached Chaka town while the prediction was 6-12 deg. I carried a puffer jacket for just in case and that saved my life 😄. So, take your jackets no matter which time of the year you decide to visit 🤭

Uncovering Chaka Salt Lake

#mytripvlog Take a look at what you can expect to experience at Chaka Salt Lake in Qinghai Province!

Chaka salt lake - winter landscape in summer

We spent about a week in Qinghai, mostly at Qinghai lake as we visited local horse racing there. I liked Chaka lake better than Qinghai lake (as I still don't understand why Qinghai lake entry tickets are so overpriced) We came to Chaka in the evening by bus from Qinghai lake and stayed in a hotel. In the early morning I walked about 3-4km to the Scenic area witnessing wildlife such as hares and ducks. At the entrance I requested information in English and there was an English speaking employee to give details which were quite helpful. The path in the area is about 5km long, there are some cafés at the beginning and special shoes and fancy dresses rental somewhere in the middle. Visiting Chaka was one of the highlights of this summer! There are 2 Scenic areas, I've been to one only (should have visited both) It's not easy to find a taxi in the area, so the English speaking employee helped to arrange it in the evening #chakasaltlake #chaka

Biggest salt water lake in China

Qinghai Lake, nestled in China's Qinghai Province, is the largest saltwater lake in East Asia, covering approximately 4,600 square kilometers. Its beauty lies in its serene, azure waters and the surrounding Tibetan Plateau's majestic landscapes. At an elevation of 3,205 meters, the lake is a vital ecological hotspot, home to diverse avian species and unique aquatic life. The lake holds cultural significance for Tibetans and the local Tibetan-Qiang people. It's a site for various religious ceremonies and festivals. However, environmental concerns, like shrinking water levels due to climate change and pollution, pose significant challenges to its preservation. Conservation efforts are underway to safeguard this remarkable natural treasure. #timetotravel #China #nature

Turquoise Eye of Qinghai Province

Tibetan plateau AKA "Roof of the World" is the highest in the world and Qinghai lake (青海湖) is the largest saltwater lake in China. 🌊Have you noticed that we're speaking in superlatives? It's not a coincidence. Qinghai lake (青海湖) definitely deserves to be be called the sea of the West due to its size, vastness, and the fact that it resembles a sea in certain aspects. It's a saline waters boasts incredible variety of wildlife at an altitude of 3205m. "On the plateau's crest, a jewel so grand, Qinghai Lake's waters stretch across the land. Azure skies embrace its tranquil face, A mirror of nature's serene embrace." 😍 Tips and tricks: If you want to visit Qinghai lake without any tour operators or rental cars you can easily get there from the Xining bus station (西宁汽车客运中心站). Several buses go to Qinghaihu (hu = lake) every day starting from 8AM. 🚌The drop off location is called 青海湖国家重点风景名胜区. That's the closest scenic area to the Xining city. One way ticket costs 60RMB. 💸The bus will wait for the passengers at the scenic area's parking lot for around 3 hours before heading back to the Xining bus station. To make sure you have a seat you can buy round way tickets at the Xining bus station. Total cost will be 120RMB per person. 🙃 #summerbreak #SpinTheWorld #qinghailake #xining #summervacation

Qinghai lake - the biggest in China

Only taking into consideration that it's the biggest, it's worth visiting. Yet I think Scenic area tickets are overpriced. There's not much to do in the area apart from taking pictures, riding a boat (3 types, start from 100yuan) and feeding seagulls. Still it's worth visiting, though it feels much much better if you drive a car in Qinghai (we took a shared taxi from Xining to Qinghai lake) and overall had pretty much headache with transportation in this province. Almost all the wild areas around are privately owned and you need to pay to enter (or, say, ride a horse, 200yuan per 3km round-trip to the lake🙄). This numerous fences and herds of tourists made it difficult for me to fully enjoy the beauty of the lake and surrounding landscapes (I just ran into the mountains 😂) . Also it was pretty hard to find a hotel accommodating foreigners (beginning of August). Only Chinese food (quite pricey) Still it was a great trip, I'd like to come back driving a car😁 #qinghai #qinghailake

The Beautiful Qinghai Lake

We couldn’t believe our eyes when we first saw Qinghai Lake. We were cycling down from the main road, through fields of grass and bright yellow rapeseed flowers when we first caught a glimpse of the blue water. For a split second, we forgot where we were and thought we had somehow made it to the sea! #mytripvlog

While everyone went to the northeast, I headed to the northwest and

It's really wonderful! I must take the kids to Dunhuang during the winter vacation! Say goodbye to the noisy crowds and the endless queuing. You'll find that there are very few tourists at each attraction, and the prices for hotel accommodations are particularly stable!!! ✨ In 5 days, travel through ancient and modern times across ten countries, and embrace the great Northwest. Visit 12 caves that are only open to the public during the off-season. Observe the millennium-old grottoes: Dunhuang caves, Yulin caves, and the Western Thousand Buddha Caves. Immerse yourself in the history of Dunhuang, planting a seed of culture for the children🌱 ✨ Watch the sunset in the endless desert, set off fireworks... Whether it's cultural experiences or scenic beauty, it's all top-notch. The photos shared on social media have blown up with questions! Why is it worth going to Dunhuang in winter (December-March)? 1️⃣ Great value for money, discounts on attraction tickets, and much cheaper flights compared to the peak season. 2️⃣ Fewer tourists, double the experience, and often the joy of having the place to yourself. 3️⃣ The number of caves open to visitors has increased to 12, which is really worth it! 4️⃣ There's a chance to see the desert set against the snow, a sight with a profound sense of history. ✈️ How to get there Dunhuang is located at the western end of the great Northwest, with most flights transferring through Lanzhou or Xi'an. You can choose to arrive in a nearby city the night before for a visit, then head to Dunhuang. 🌟 Dunhuang 5-Day In-Depth Winter Tour Itinerary DAY1-DAY2 Dunhuang - Western Thousand Buddha Caves - Yumen Pass - Devil City - Dunhuang DAY3-DAY5 Yulin Caves - Mogao Caves - Clay Painting - Dunhuang 🌈 Attractions worth visiting 📍 'World Cultural Heritage' Mogao Caves ✔️ Watch films at the digital center 'Millennium Mogao' and 'Fantasy Buddha Palace' ✔️ Accompanied by a guide for an in-depth visit, explore the murals and colored sculptures' secret history ✔️ Listen to historical stories, converse with the glory of the Tang Dynasty 📍 'Sister Caves of Mogao' Yulin Caves Besides visiting the caves, take a leisurely walk along the Yulin River Feel the vitality of the oasis on the desert Gobi 📍 'Eye of the Gobi' Western Thousand Buddha Caves Listen to the Jataka tales not found in the Northern Wei caves of Mogao, filling the gap with unique value 📍 Devil City China's stunningly beautiful No.2 Yardang, we take an off-road vehicle deep into the area, for a more in-depth exploration and to take various blockbuster shots 📍 Yumen Pass An important pass on the 'Silk Road', driving on the Gobi highway, the scattered oases bring life to the sandy world. When the ruins of Yumen Pass come into view, 'The spring breeze never passes Yumen Pass' will no longer be just imagination ⛪ Accommodation Stay for 4 nights in a carefully selected hotel in Dunhuang, avoiding long-distance driving and frequent changes of lodging Travel Tips❗ ❶ Dunhuang is quite cold in winter, so wear thick winter clothes + hat, scarf, gloves, and remember to bring a power bank and warm stickers as phones run out of battery quickly. ❷ The climate in Dunhuang is quite dry, remember to bring moisturizing skincare, lip balm, and a thermos, etc., to stay hydrated at all times

You must visit this place, otherwise you will regret it for a lifetime

Eternal China, full of charm everywhere within a thousand miles. Each county has its unique charm that makes people linger. These counties not only have unique natural scenery and cultural heritage, but also exude unique historical and cultural atmosphere. If you haven't been to most of the following 12 counties, your life will be regrettable. First is Yangshuo, Guangxi, known for its beauty as 'the most beautiful in the world'. The overlapping mountains, the gurgling streams, plus the famous Li River, indeed make people linger. Next is Dunhuang, Gansu, an exotic place deep in the desert, known for the magnificent Mogao Grottoes. The desert, the Mingsha Mountain, and the Yardang landform of Dunhuang all attract the world's attention with their unique charm. Then comes Kanas, Xinjiang, a mysterious place known as 'beautiful fairyland'. The blue sky, the green lake, and the rolling mountains form a beautiful picture. Libo, Guizhou, with its magnificent karst landscape, has become synonymous with 'forest oxygen bar'. The sinkholes and underground caves here make people feel as if they have traveled to another world. Wuyuan, Jiangxi, known as 'gentle breeze and light charm', is one of the most beautiful villages in China. The Hui-style architecture, terraced scenery, and colorful colors here make people intoxicated. Kangding, Sichuan, known as 'love song flowing', has a strong Tibetan style, and the Gemu Goddess Mountain Scenic Area, known as 'China's Bamboo Sea', is fascinating. Tengchong, Yunnan, this distant and romantic place, although the scenery is beautiful, what people yearn for more is its mysterious ethnic culture. Fenghuang Ancient Town, Hunan, the simple stilted buildings, stone streets, and the magnificent Tuojiang scenery are all fascinating. Jianshui, Yunnan, is famous for its simple architecture and long history and culture. It is one of China's historical and cultural states. Daocheng, Sichuan, is part of the Tibetan secret territory, one of the three holy places, mysterious and holy. Pingyao, Shanxi, this simple ancient city has preserved a large number of Ming and Qing buildings, each building almost carries a memory of history. Penglai, Shandong, here is the fairy island Penglai in ancient Chinese legends, and the magnificent coastal scenery is fascinating. Each of these counties is worth a visit. They not only have unique natural scenery and cultural landscapes, but also have profound historical and cultural heritage. Walking into these counties is like being in ancient legends, feeling the magic of nature. Whether it's the scenery of mountains and rivers, or the ancient architectural culture, it's full of unique charm. After visiting these counties, you will find that China's great rivers and mountains are fascinating.

#Mogao Caves #Gansu #Visit #October 2018

The Mogao Caves, also known as the Thousand Buddha Grottoes or Caves of the Thousand Buddhas, form a system of 500 temples 25 km southeast of the center of Dunhuang, an oasis located at a religious and cultural crossroads on the Silk Road, in Gansu province, China.

Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang

Mogao caves is also known as the Thousand Buddha Grottoes. It is one of topmost tourist spot in Dunhuang, Jiuquan, Gansu province, China. Getting There - A direct cab from the railway station will cost around 500-700 rmb. The northern Wei, Western Wei and the Northern Zhou caves, the earliest of the Mogao caves, are known to be distinctly Indian in style and iconography. #2023travelwish #tripblazers #teachabroad #teacherventure

Northwest Trip

D1: Xining - Laji Mountain - Riyue Mountain - Qinghai Lake - Delingha (Stay) D2: Delingha - Chaka Salt Lake - Dachaidan Emerald Lake - Dachaidan (Stay) D3: Dachaidan - 315U-shaped Highway - Heidu Mountain - Dunhuang Night Market - Dunhuang (Stay) D4: Dunhuang Mogao Caves - Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring - Dunhuang (Stay) D5: Dunhuang - Jiayuguan (optional) - Zhangye Danxia Landform - Zhangye (Stay) D6: Zhangye - Qilian Grassland - Xining (Return)

Green Treasure: The vitality and energy of Chaerhan Salt Lake

Green｜Chaerhan Salt Lake Green, as a color, is located in the middle of the spectrum, with a wavelength range of 517-570 nanometers. In nature, green is widely present, such as in leaves, grasslands, oases, etc. In human culture, green is usually associated with concepts like life, health, vitality, nature, peace, etc. Chaerhan Salt Lake is located in Haixi Mongol and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province, China. It is the largest salt lake in China and the second largest in the world. The area of Chaerhan Salt Lake is about 5856 square kilometers, and its altitude is about 2670 meters. Chaerhan Salt Lake is an inland lake, with its water mainly coming from the melting snow of the surrounding mountains and groundwater. The salt content of the lake water is extremely high, reaching 32%, making Chaerhan Salt Lake one of the most important salt chemical bases in China. The green of Chaerhan Salt Lake may be related to the microorganisms, minerals, and light in the lake water. Under sunlight, the microorganisms and minerals in the lake water may appear green. In addition, the green of Chaerhan Salt Lake may also be affected by the surrounding ecological environment, such as grasslands, oases, etc.

Chaerhan Salt-Lake in Qinghai Province

The Chaerhan Salt Lake is located 60 kilometers away from the northern Golmud city, more than 110 kilometers away from the southern Chaidamu. The salt lake is more than 160 kilometers long from east to west and 20-40 kilometers wide from south to north. The thickness of the salt lake is 2-20 meters. The Chaerhan Salt Lake is located in the desert; the weather is dry and hot. With the long-time sunburn and windburn it's necessary to bring sun protection. 🏴 Tourists can rent cars to get to the Chaerhan Salt Lake along the No. 215 National Highway. Hotels or travel agencies might also organized tours. Adventurours without driving license can try to hitchhike. 🎫 Entrance including bus to the final destination inside the lake: 100元/80元 students ✨ You can also rent bikes (if they're not broken) or drones at the final destination. #dessert#hiking#roadtrip#summervacation

[Qalhan Salt Lake in Qinghai] Zarhan Salt Lake is the largest salt lake in China and one of the most famous salt lakes in the world. The picture taken in my picture is the Wanzhang Salt Bridge, which is a road made of salt and extends into the lake. Its hardness is comparable to that of the asphalt road. We can see from the sky that there are white crystals on both sides of the salt bridge. The lake is transparent and green. The scenery here is picturesque. The sunny Chaerhan Salt Lake has also become a good place for photography. Note: Sun protection measures should be prepared. It is recommended to bring a hat and sunglasses. You can drive in by yourself. In principle, only visiting documents are allowed to enter. You need to communicate in advance.

Staying in a diamond stargazing house above the Salt Lake is a unique experience. There is a special hotel in Qinghai that offers this, located within the Qinghai Chaka Salt Lake Sky No.1 Scenic Area. This Diamond Stargazing Hotel on the Mirror Lake is somewhat similar to the overwater bungalows in the Maldives. Fully transparent diamond starry sky house. Fully automatic curtains Glass platform for taking photos by internet celebrities. Independent bathroom Built-in air conditioning. Self-service breakfast Sunset and evening glow, beautiful scenery. Romantic starry sky. Room type Twin room King-sized bed room Family room PS, sincere advice When it's hot outside, it can be a bit warm inside. We suggest turning on the air conditioning to get some fresh air after checking in. If you can't find the hotel location, you can call the hotel and they will guide you step by step. At night, it's windy. If you go out to see the stars or take a walk, remember to wear a jacket.~ The hotel has an electric water heater. If you want to take a shower, it is not recommended for two people to use it continuously. You can take turns with a break in between. It's so wonderful to enjoy the beautiful scenery during the day and watch the amazing starry sky at night.

This is not the Chaka Salt Lake, but the Sky No.1 scenic spot next to it. The sky and white clouds are long, and the distant mountains and mountains are blue, white clouds and snow-capped mountains are reflected in the lake. Walking through the lake is like entering a world of pure white snow. With fewer key people, you can feel the pure beauty!

What is Qinghai like in your impression? The beautiful Qinghai Lake, the desolate South Eight Immortals, the colorful Emerald Lake, the mysterious water Yadan, in addition to these punching places, there is also a place where tourists must go: the mirror of the sky. Maybe you only know the Teaka Salt Lake, but you don't know that there is another mirror of the sky at the tens of kilometers beside it: Sky One. Compared to Chaka Salt Lake, Sky One has a wider area. Although the two scenic spots are not far apart, in the peak season of Qinghai, some passengers can be dispersed, so that the Chaka Salt Lake is no longer so crowded. You can also take a sightseeing train on the 1st in the sky. It is different from the track of the Chaka Salt Lake. It is not a good way to take a small train here. The best time to play in the sky is morning or afternoon. There is no strong ultraviolet light during this time, and the reflection of the salt lake is more clear. If you want to make a film, you must wear a suitable dress. For girls, red, pink and white clothes are good.

Many people know that Chaka Salt Lake is the mirror of China's sky. Do you know Sky One? This is a new scenic spot in the eastern part of Chaka Salt Lake. After that, the mirror of the sky is another choice!