Haixi and Qaidam Basin
Post Time:2020-07-18 Views:
Want to find the places to avoid the hot summer wave? Haixi and Qaidam Basin which lies in northwest China’s Qinghai Province may be a good choice for people who seek cool weather.
That is a common question for travelers and tour operators like us.
That is a common question for travelers and tour operators like us.
What to Visit in Haixi?
Haixi and Qaidam Basin offers plenty of fantastic views, so we recommend some most popular ones that come with stunning views.
Haixi Mongolian Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture was once an auxiliary road of the ancient "Silk Road" leading to the Western Regions, lies in the northeastern part of Qinghai - Tibet Plateau with an altitude of 3,500 meters, which is an excellent place to start our journey.
Among its beautiful scenery, Chaka Salt Lake, which means "saline lake" in Tibetan, is one of the most attractive ones. Its pureness, white and blue make it like a dreamland, and it is also rated as “one of the 55 places people must go” by Chinese National Geographic.
Standing on Chaka Salt Lake, travelers can enjoy the infinite beauty of the scenery. In the distance, the water and the sky have no visible boundary. What a magic view!
Unexpectedly, we have come to Qarhan Salt Lake, the largest saltwater lake in China. The 32 kilometers (20 miles) long 'Wan Zhang Salt Bridge' is the most famous attraction of the lake.
On the way to Dachaidan, we will pass Keluke Lake, 30 kilometers southwest of Delingha. at an altitude of 2816 meters. The lake is a bird’s paradise, and the song of birds reverberates in the reeds.
Haixi Mongolian Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture was once an auxiliary road of the ancient "Silk Road" leading to the Western Regions, lies in the northeastern part of Qinghai - Tibet Plateau with an altitude of 3,500 meters, which is an excellent place to start our journey.
Among its beautiful scenery, Chaka Salt Lake, which means "saline lake" in Tibetan, is one of the most attractive ones. Its pureness, white and blue make it like a dreamland, and it is also rated as “one of the 55 places people must go” by Chinese National Geographic.
Standing on Chaka Salt Lake, travelers can enjoy the infinite beauty of the scenery. In the distance, the water and the sky have no visible boundary. What a magic view!
Unexpectedly, we have come to Qarhan Salt Lake, the largest saltwater lake in China. The 32 kilometers (20 miles) long 'Wan Zhang Salt Bridge' is the most famous attraction of the lake.
On the way to Dachaidan, we will pass Keluke Lake, 30 kilometers southwest of Delingha. at an altitude of 2816 meters. The lake is a bird’s paradise, and the song of birds reverberates in the reeds.
What to Visit in Qaidam Basin?
End our tours in Haibei, now we will head to Qaidam Basin - home to the longest yardang landform groups in the world. In Uyghur, "Yardang" means hills with steep walls. Most yardang landforms are found in extremely arid regions, but the Wusute Yardang landform on the water is an exception.
Wusute Yardang Geological Park consists of Yardang Landforms and Yahu Lake. The unique water yardang landform is formed as a result of rainfall from the mountains. A change in the Nalenggele River course submerged the yardang in water.
The yardang there used to be lake sediments of the late Tertiary and early Quaternary period. Due to the geologic uplift, the sediments surfaced and were gradually eroded by strong winds, forming the yardang landforms we see today.
Wusute Yardang Geological Park consists of Yardang Landforms and Yahu Lake. The unique water yardang landform is formed as a result of rainfall from the mountains. A change in the Nalenggele River course submerged the yardang in water.
The yardang there used to be lake sediments of the late Tertiary and early Quaternary period. Due to the geologic uplift, the sediments surfaced and were gradually eroded by strong winds, forming the yardang landforms we see today.
Climate & Weather of Haixi and Qaidam Basin:
Haixi and Qaidam Basin has a typical plateau continental climate, with four distinctive seasons, intensive sunshine, and large temperature difference between day. From May to October are the best time to travel to Haixi and Qaidam Basin; in summer, the climate of Haixi is cool and humid, which is suitable to see the blue sky and crystal Chaka Salt Lake and enjoy the vast wonders at the source of the Yangtze River.
Annual Temperature of the Year/℃ ( High-Low )
| Jan. | Feb. | Mar. | Apr. | May. | Jun. |
| 0/-13 | -1/-10 | 11/-1 | 17/3 | 21/5 | 24/12 |
| Jul. | Aug. | Sept. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec |
| 26/13 | 23/12 | 21/10 | 16/4 | 7/-8 | -1/-13 |
How to Get to Haixi?
Haixi has a perfect modern transportation network, and there are three ways to Get to Haixi: Flights, Trains and Cars.
Go to Haixi By Air:
Golmud Airport is sitting on the Gobi Desert at an altitude of 2,842 kilometers and is the highest airport in the NW China. At present, there are daily flights to Xining, Xi'an, Beijing, and Qingdao. Delingha Airport in Haixi Prefecture is also under construction.
Go to Haixi By Train:
Xining - Golmud ( Haixi ) section of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway was officially opened in 1984. At present, Golmud Railway Station and Delingha Railway Station has daily trains to Lanzhou, Xining, Lhasa, Chengdu and other places.
Drive to Haixi:
Haixi has an important geographical location. Golmud Bus Station is located on Yingbin Road; there are buses to Xining, Lhasa and surrounding and cities.
Driving from Xining to Haixi takes about 6 hours ( 485.9 km ).
Driving from Xining to Haixi takes about 6 hours ( 485.9 km ).
Drive to Qaidam Basin:
Qaidam Basin extends in all directions, with three national highways connecting the surrounding areas.
1. 109 National Road departs from Xining, along the south of Qinghai Lake, passes through Chaka and Dulan to Golmud, climbs Kunlun Mountain to the south, and finally enters Tibet.
2. 315 National Road traverses Qaidam Basin; starting from Xining, passing throuh Delingha, and passing through the southern part of the Devil City until the westernmost part of Qinghai Lake.
3. Start from Golmud along National Highway 215 and drive northward, after crossing National Highway 315, you will passing through Dachaidan, and finally arrive at Dunhuang.
1. 109 National Road departs from Xining, along the south of Qinghai Lake, passes through Chaka and Dulan to Golmud, climbs Kunlun Mountain to the south, and finally enters Tibet.
2. 315 National Road traverses Qaidam Basin; starting from Xining, passing throuh Delingha, and passing through the southern part of the Devil City until the westernmost part of Qinghai Lake.
3. Start from Golmud along National Highway 215 and drive northward, after crossing National Highway 315, you will passing through Dachaidan, and finally arrive at Dunhuang.
Haixi and Qaidam Basin Travel Tips:
1. Haixi Prefecture is a multi-ethnic area with a total population of 561,700, including 30 ethnic groups including Han, Mongolian, Tibetan, Hui, Tu and Salar.
2. History: Haixi was once inhabited by the Qiang, and it was also controlled by the Tuyuhun and Tubo regimes successively from the Eastern Jin to the Sui and Tang Dynasties, with the Yuan Gvernment (1271-1368) taking partial control of the area during the Song Dynasty (960-1279).
3. Recommended Time For a Visit: 1-2 Days.
4. Local Highlights: The Nadam Fair is will held in the prairie of Qingshuihe in Golmud City.
* Qinghai Lake Area * Amdo Tibetan-Huangnan & Guoluo
* Qinghai Trekking Adventure * Qinghai and Gansu Highlights Tour
2. History: Haixi was once inhabited by the Qiang, and it was also controlled by the Tuyuhun and Tubo regimes successively from the Eastern Jin to the Sui and Tang Dynasties, with the Yuan Gvernment (1271-1368) taking partial control of the area during the Song Dynasty (960-1279).
3. Recommended Time For a Visit: 1-2 Days.
4. Local Highlights: The Nadam Fair is will held in the prairie of Qingshuihe in Golmud City.
Related Articles & Posts
* Qinghai Lake Area * Amdo Tibetan-Huangnan & Guoluo
* Qinghai Trekking Adventure * Qinghai and Gansu Highlights Tour
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