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Best Things to Do
Top 10 Best Things to Do in Haixi Prefecture [2025]
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Chaka Salt Lake
4.3
/5
15469 reviews
8.6
From AU$ 23.13
Based on 94 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone 0977-8246999
Address: Chakayan Lake, Ulan, Haixi, China
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
Highlights:
Take a Train to the Lake to See the Pure Salt Lake
Train ride to pristine salt lake
Saved by 319 users10678 positive reviews
Verified User Reviews
A highly recommended scenic spot, it is so photogenic, the salt sculptures give the feeling of magnificent buildings and jade palaces, I recommend the red skirt, blue skirt and yellow skirt, they are beautiful for taking pictures, the follow-up shooting in the scenic area is professional and not expensive, the small train is recommended to take, it is too hot and sunny to walk back and forth, the ultraviolet rays are too strong, so you must take protective measures😜😜😜
The scenic area is very good. It is not as crowded as imagined. It is well organized. Take a small train to enter and then walk out slowly. It is more than five kilometers. You can take a break and take pictures while walking. It is very good. There are many places to eat around the scenic area, so you won't be hungry. There is a luggage storage in the tourist center, which is very convenient. It is a five-minute walk from Chaka Railway Station. It is quite convenient
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Wu Su Te (Water) Yadan Geological Park
4.4
/5
3005 reviews
8.0
>100 km from downtown
Phone 13909778220
Address: Dunhuang, Jiuquan, Gansu, China, 736200
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5-1 day
No.3 of r fun & cool retreats in Haixi Prefecture
Highlights:
360° view of Yadan Lake
Castle-like formations on water
Saved by 101 users2603 positive reviews
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It is a very unique view, at least it is the only water-based Yadan in China, which is an eye-opener. The disadvantage is that drones are not allowed to fly and there is no high observation deck, so you cannot see the panoramic view.
📍Water Yadan
"Gobi and lakes coexist, gentleness and loneliness coexist"
Seeing that everyone is avoiding Water Yadan online, saying that there are many mosquitoes and it is not worth going. I will justify its reputation. The scenery is very beautiful. It is the only place in the northwest where Gobi and lakes coexist. It is very special. It is best to protect against mosquitoes. Wear sunscreen clothes, long pants, and a mask. I was not bitten at all. The scenery is not to be missed, and the project experience is full!
Chaerhan Salt Lake
4.7
/5
1935 reviews
8.0
From AU$ 21.05
Based on 15 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone 18309798669
Address: Chaerhan Town, Golmud City, Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
No.2 of r fun & cool retreats in Haixi Prefecture
Highlights:
20-mile salt bridge across lake
Spectacular salt crystals & unique landscape
1650 positive reviews10K views in last month
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There are industrial development sites everywhere. The 40-minute bus ride to the scenic area is really unremarkable. The scenery of each salt lake is almost the same. The only thing worth praising is probably the catering at the exit of the scenic area. Considering that there is nothing to eat within a two or three hour drive around, the catering service is great, especially the rice noodles are very good!
The most beautiful salt lake in Qinghai. You can take a bus from the tourist center to the scenic area, and then take a sightseeing bus to the last stop of the scenic area, and then walk back to enjoy the scenery. As the light changes, the green color of the lake changes, from light green to dark green to emerald green. It is very beautiful. There are many lakes and the lake surface is wide. It is worth a look!
No.
4
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Qinghai Lake
4.5
/5
6290 reviews
7.9
From AU$ 12.85
Based on 598 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone 0974-7553999
Address: Qinghai Lake, China
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5-1 day
No.1 of r fun & cool retreats in Haixi Prefecture
Highlights:
Clockwise lake tour & Tibetan culture
Boat ride & scenic views
Saved by 166 users3411 positive reviews
Verified User Reviews
The beauty of Qinghai Lake is well-deserved! Thank you to the driver Xiao Mo for his considerate, thoughtful, meticulous and warm arrangements and guidance ❤️❤️❤️ Let us experience the wonderful scenery and service 🌹🌹🌹 This trip was very happy and enjoyable! I will go to Qinghai Lake again and look forward to meeting Master Xiao Mo again😊
The second time I went to Qinghai Lake, the smell of mulberry leaves became much stronger. But the scenery was still beautiful, flying seagulls could be seen everywhere, the lake water was also very clear, and there were many more recreational facilities on the sea.
No.
5
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Emerald Lake
4.3
/5
374 reviews
7.1
>100 km from downtown
Address: Dachaidan Town, Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
No.4 of r fun & cool retreats in Haixi Prefecture
Saved by 111 users314 positive reviews
Verified User Reviews
It's so beautiful that it makes no sense. It's very photogenic.
You need to make a careful plan beforehand. We didn't arrange it well, and the kids kept taking photos, which resulted in a bit of time constraints. As a result, we gave up one or two attractions. But we saw the main ones.
The weather is very important. It's so beautiful on a sunny day.
God's palette sprinkled on the northwest land
Blue, green, yellow... like pieces of jade inlaid on the ground
Thousands of miles of jade, boundless blue sky
I have to admire the magic of nature
Take the saltiest road to see the jade left in the world
Be fascinated at first sight, and slowly be amazed
Photos can't capture the actual beauty
I believe everyone who comes here will be shocked
Friends who love taking pictures can experience the Internet celebrity's aerial photography crystal boat, which is very photogenic
No.
6
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Chaka Sky No.1 Scenic Area
4.3
/5
1180 reviews
6.8
From AU$ 12.82
>100 km from downtown
Phone 0977-8246666
Address: East of Chaka Salt Lake, Wulan County, Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
No.5 of r fun & cool retreats in Haixi Prefecture
Highlights:
Glass slide view: Salt Lake & Kunlun Mountains
Unique boardwalk: koi & clover
974 positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
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This is my second time in Chaka. Last time I went to the Chaka Salt Lake Scenic Area, and this time I came to the Sky No. 1 Scenic Area. It felt good, but the weather was not good. However, there was no wind, and the reflections could still be photographed. The route of the small train was more reasonable.
This place is quite famous, but the view really depends on the weather. The sky mirror that is advertised is usually not visible, there is no reflection at all, all is white salt fields, as if frozen. It's just average.
No.
7
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Hoh Xil Nature Reserve
4.8
/5
239 reviews
6.5
>100 km from downtown
Address: 109 National Road, Golmud City, Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture
Recommended sightseeing time: 1 day
Highlights:
Join eco expeditions & research
Tibetan antelope migration spectacle
133 positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
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Cocoa Xili National Nature Reserve, located in the northwest of Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province, Kunlun Mountain Nanyu Yangtze River Northyuan Area, bordering the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Tibet Autonomous Region, and Qumalai County, Haixi Mongolia Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture and Yushu Prefecture, about 280 kilometers wide from north to south. East and West are 200~400 kilometers long, and the area is 4.5 10,000 square kilometers. The national nature reserve of Coco Xili is mainly to protect rare wildlife and plants such as Tibetan antelopes, wild yaks, Tibetan wild donkeys, Tibetan original alfalfa. On July 7, 2017, at the 41st World Heritage Congress held in Krakow, Poland, Qinghai Cocosili was approved to be included in the World Heritage List by the World Heritage Committee, becoming China's 51st World Heritage Site.
• 🌿Magnificent natural landscape: Hoh Xil is an important part of Sanjiangyuan National Park, with an average altitude of more than 4,600 meters. It is the largest uninhabited area in my country. This place is vast and boundless, with snow-capped mountains and numerous lakes. It is a masterpiece of nature.
• 🐐Wildlife Paradise: This is the home of rare wild animals such as the Tibetan antelope. Every year during the Tibetan antelope migration and calving season, rangers help them safely cross the Qinghai-Tibet Highway and railway, allowing people and nature to coexist harmoniously.
• 🛡️Significant ecological protection results: The conservation work of the reserve has achieved remarkable results, and the number of rare species such as the Tibetan antelope has increased year by year. The ecological environment within the reserve has been effectively protected, becoming a piece of pure land on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
• 🚗Convenient transportation: Although it is located in a remote area, the Qinghai-Tibet Highway and the Qinghai-Tibet Railway run through it, so transportation is relatively convenient. Self-driving or group travel are both good options.
• 📸A paradise for photography enthusiasts: Hoh Xil is a paradise for photography enthusiasts, with snow-capped mountains, grasslands, lakes and wild animals, each of which is an excellent shooting spot.
🎉Summary: Hoh Xil Nature Reserve is a beautiful and lonely land, a paradise for rare wild animals such as Tibetan antelopes. Not only does this place have magnificent natural scenery, but it also has remarkable ecological protection results. If you love nature and like wild animals, Hoh Xil is definitely worth a visit.
No.
8
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Heidu Mountain
4.3
/5
25 reviews
6.4
>100 km from downtown
Address: Haixi Meng Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture Mangya City
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
Highlights:
Famous mine for green jade
Black mountains & desert scenery
10K views in last month
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Heidu Mountain, Lonely Planet, Northwest Journey
Today, a trip to the Northwest, especially the mysterious and lonely one.
The trip started
After several hours of driving, we finally arrived at this land carved by nature.
The mountains here are as black as ink, in sharp contrast to the surrounding Gobi Desert. There is no vegetation on the mountain, only weathered rocks and sand, as if it is the surface of another planet. I took a deep breath and felt the ruggedness and primitiveness of the Northwest.
Mountain climbing adventure
Decided to hike up Heidu Mountain. The mountain road is rugged and every step needs to be careful. But as the height increases, the vision becomes wider and wider. Standing on the top of the mountain, it seems to own the whole world. There are endless Gobi all around, continuous mountains in the distance, and this lonely Heidu Mountain at the foot.
At sunset
At sunset, I found a great viewing point. The afterglow of the setting sun sprinkled on Heidu Mountain, giving it a golden coat. At that moment, it seemed to see the other side of Heidu Mountain-lonely and warm, indifferent and enthusiastic. This contradictory beauty is unforgettable.
Overnight in the Gobi Desert
Heidu Mountain is a large dark brown mountain range in the vast Gobi Desert north of Lenghu Town. It is as lonely and mysterious as an alien planet.
There is no entrance fee to the scenic spot, but you should pay attention to protecting the environment and do not climb over the barbed wire. It is recommended to bring a drone.
No.
9
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Dongtai Ji Nai'er Lake
4.4
/5
97 reviews
6.3
>100 km from downtown
Address: Hinterland of Qaidam Basin, Golmud City, Haixi Mongolian Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province
Recommended sightseeing time: 4 hours
Highlights:
Tiffany blue & deep waters
Tiffany blue lake & white salt
Saved by 149 usersRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
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Dongtai Jinel Lake is located in Golmud City, Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province. The lake shimmers in the sun, revealing a unique blue, endless, empty and mysterious. There is no sign of disappearing or appearing, it is a drop of God's "blue tears". Very suitable for punching in and taking pictures. In the past decade, Dongtai Jinel Lake has disappeared many times. After 3 years, it appeared in Gobi like a mirage. The distinctive Tiffany Blue is mainly derived from lithium salt. It is inconvenient to go to Dongtai and it is best to drive by yourself.
1. A must-see attraction on the Qinghai-Gansu loop.
2. The light blue lake is clear and transparent, as beautiful as the Maldives.
3. It is currently a company mining area, and no entrance fee is charged.
4. It is between the water Yadan and the U-shaped road.
5. Free parking lot, stalls, and travel photography shops. It takes 10 minutes to walk to the lake.
6. There are transparent boats on the lakeside for paid photography and to the sandbar in the lake.
7. It is so beautiful!
No.
10
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U-shaped Highway
4.8
/5
35 reviews
5.9
>100 km from downtown
Address: 海西蒙古族藏族自治州直辖315国道780公里处
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
74% positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
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315 must punch in, but now it is not possible. In June, the two sides of the road are not allowed to park. The parking area is stopped by a mound, and there are traffic police on duty. You can only slow down the speed and enjoy it slowly. You can take a U-shaped kilometer in the car with your mobile phone. People can't go down.
The ∪-shaped highway is located in Haixi Prefecture, Qinghai. Strictly speaking, it is not a scenic spot, but just a section of National Highway 315. It is a must-see from Shuishang Yadan to Dachaidan. It has become a popular check-in spot due to its rare terrain and U-shaped structure, attracting many photography enthusiasts. However, compared with the pictures on the Internet and the ones I took, I have to say that the difference is really big😊
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