Qarhan Salt Lake, the world's second-largest and China's largest salt lake with both solid and liquid salt, is located in the middle of the Qaidam Basin, spanning Golmud City and Dulan County in Qinghai Province. It is more than 160 kilometers long from east to west, 20-40 kilometers wide from north to south, with a salt layer thickness of about 2-20 meters and an altitude of 2,670 meters. It is formed by Dabousun Lake, South Hobousun, North Hobousun, Shibunie, and some other salt ponds, with a total area of 5,856 square kilometers.
"Qarhan" is a Mongolian word meaning "saltmarsh". Salt Lake is located in the Gobi, where the climate is hot and dry, the sunshine time is long, and the evaporation of water is much higher than the precipitation. Due to long-term exposure to the sun, the lake formed a high concentration of brine, which gradually crystallized into salt grains, and the lake became a thick and hard salt-roof rock.
Because of the chemical composition of the lake, Qarhan Salt Lake presents a green color, the color change of the lake is relatively strong, and the color is different under different lighting conditions, but it's a slightly darker shade of green. Qarhan Salt Lake can also have a "mirror of the sky", but you must arrive at sunrise or sunset.
What to Visit in Qarhan Salt Lake
All the green plants in Qarhan Salt Lake are difficult to grow, but they breed magical salt crystals that are crystal clear and changeable. Because of the continuous evaporation of water in salt fields, the salt crystallizes and grows continuously, and finally emerges from the lake to form salt crystals, with different shapes in clusters and pieces, which decorate the salt lakes as beautiful as fairyland.
Wanzhang Salt Bridge (Ten-thousand-foot Salt Bridge) is a highway from Golmud to Dunhuang crossing Dabusun Lake. The salt cover with a thickness of 15-18 meters forms a natural salt bridge. The total length of the bridge is 32 kilometers, which can reach 10 thousand zhang. The smooth and smooth road on the bridge, and the scenery of the mountains and lakes, are so beautiful that they can be called "unparalleled in the world". Jade belt-like salt bridge (road), besides no guardrail, no pier, no water. The whole road is smooth and smooth, flat and straight. The salt bridge (road) splits the salt lake in two from the middle. People are so amazed that they have to succumb to the wisdom and wisdom of human beings.
Features
Location: Qarhan Town, Golmud City, Haixi Mongolian Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture
Scenic Spot Level: National 4A Level Scenic Spot
Altitude: The lowest point is over 2200 meters above sea level
Travel Information
Opening Time: 8:00-18:00
Ticket Price: 80CNY
Suggested Visit Time: half of the day
Best Time to Travel: July to September
Travel Tips
1.Due to the high elevation of the salt lake and the cold climate, it is recommended to bring warm clothing, especially in the morning and evening and at night.
2.The salt lake has strong ultraviolet rays, you need to prepare sunscreen, sun hat, sunglasses and other sunscreen products.
3.Due to the rough surface of the salt lake, it is recommended to wear comfortable shoes to avoid injury.
4.During your visit to the Salt Lake, you need to bring food and water, as there are fewer facilities around and these items may not be available for purchase.
