Emerald Lake, Da Qaidam
翡翠湖（大柴旦）
Abandoned salt-mine ponds in Da Qaidam, with shades of emerald green and lake blue that look like a painter's palette. After Chaka, it has become the new internet-famous stop on the Qinghai–Gansu Grand Loop.
Emerald Lake lies on the west side of Da Qaidam Town in Haixi Prefecture, at about 3,100 m above sea level. It was originally a salt-mining pond left over from the Da Qaidam chemical plant. Different mineral contents give the water shades of emerald green, lake blue and pale cyan, like pieces of jade set in the Gobi. After 2018, it quickly became famous along the Qinghai–Gansu Grand Loop, and it is now a developed scenic area (admission about 60 yuan, including a sightseeing shuttle). Wooden walkways run between the colorful salt ponds. The most photogenic spots are the deep green pools contrasting with the white salt embankments, and the colors are most vivid when the sun is directly overhead around midday on clear days. In the evening, the distant Qaidam Mountains provide a backdrop. Visitors can also take in the view by helicopter or hot-air balloon. A visit takes about 1.5–2 hours. Most visitors travel from Chaka (about 3 hours), stop here, then spend the night in Da Qaidam Town and cross Dangjin Mountain the next day on the way to Dunhuang. The Wusute Water Yardang (about 90 km) is nearby and can be visited along the way. Note: the pond water contains high concentrations of brine, and some ponds are deep, so entering the water is prohibited. The Gobi has strong winds, sand and intense UV exposure. Accommodation in Da Qaidam Town is limited, so book early in peak season.
Opening hours
8:00–19:00
Nearby sights
- Da Qaidam Lake
- Chaidan Town & Starry Sky Camp
- Da Qaidam Snow Mountain Hot Spring
- Hongya Mars Landform Area
- Xiao Qaidam Lake
- G315 U-shaped Road
- East Taijinar Lake
- Wusute Water Yardang