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Best Things to Do
Popular Best Things to Do in Ulan [2025]
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Chaka Salt Lake
4.3
/5
17106 reviews
8.6
From IDR 69768
Based on 94 reviews
57.8 km from downtown
Phone +8609778246999
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 356 users10903 positive reviews
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Chaka Salt Lake is located in Ulan County, Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province. The lake surface is at an altitude of 3059 meters and covers an area of 105 square kilometers. "Chaka" is a Tibetan word meaning salt lake, or the sea of Qinghai salt. In Mongolian, it is "Dabuxun Nuoer," also meaning salt lake. Chaka is an important gateway for tourists entering Xinjiang and Tibet, serving as the eastern entrance to the Qaidam Basin. Adjacent to Qinghai Lake, it is a crucial node on the Southern Silk Road. The surface of Chaka Salt Lake reflects the breathtakingly beautiful sky like a mirror, earning it the title of "China's Mirror of the Sky." Chaka Salt Lake was named one of the "55 Places to Visit in a Lifetime" by National Geographic Traveler and one of the "30 Most Beautiful Places in China" by CNN. It is also the only Chinese lake to be included in the "Top Ten Most Beautiful Lakes in the World." The small train, a primary means of transporting salt in the 1970s, has a track gauge of only 60cm, dating back to the Russian era in 1904. Tourists ride it to the core scenic area. Besides the salt lake, there is a group of salt sculptures, which, while somewhat novel, somehow feel a little lacking. At the exit, you can get a free bag of locally produced "large blue salt" with your ticket.
The most famous is the Sky Mirror Scenic Area. Take the train to the last stop and get off to pay the deposit and get shoe covers. This scenic area is very weather-dependent. It is only good to take pictures on sunny days. It is not recommended to go if the weather is bad. By the way, this scenic area is free for Zhejiang residents, but the train ticket must be purchased separately.
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Qinghai Lake
4.5
/5
6617 reviews
7.9
From IDR 93024
Based on 598 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8609747553999
Address: Qinghai Lake, China
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5-1 day
Highlights:
Clockwise lake tour & Tibetan culture
Boat ride & scenic views
Saved by 188 users3517 positive reviews
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As a 5A-level scenic spot in Qinghai, the off-season is the most cost-effective time. The ticket is only 40 yuan and a round-trip bus is included. It takes about an hour to go back and forth. If you travel along the Qinghai-Gansu Grand Loop, you must master the time to play.
I highly recommend visiting Qinghai Lake during off-peak hours. Apart from being a little cold, there's nothing wrong with it! The driver was very welcoming and attentive, and he even took us to see the cattle and horses on the farm, which was very nice.
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