DAY 9 Qinghai Mangya -> Wusute Water Yadan
Let me talk about a little episode first.
Last night, I reluctantly left Emerald Lake. I rushed to the hotel, and after settling in, I hurried out to look for food. Although it was past 9 o'clock, the street was still full of people coming and going. A crescent moon hangs above the whitish high sky, which feels a bit like a white night. I felt a lot cooler all of a sudden, so I added a thin down jacket. The temperature difference between day and night on the plateau is huge, so keep warm! I found a restaurant at random, and the food was unexpectedly delicious (I must be starving). After eating for just over half an hour, the electricity stopped twice. The boss was not surprised, and looked calm: "There are frequent power outages here in Mangya, because the power supply is insufficient." Then, he slowly lit a candle for us. Under the faint candlelight, in the shadows, I suddenly found the feeling of the power outage in the university dormitory back then.
Today, I went to check out at 7 o'clock, and inquired about the way to Aiken Spring by the way. In fact, I have been hesitating whether to go to Aiken Springs. The map shows that there are only less than 40 kilometers of roads, and it can be reached in 1 hour. However, after checking the strategy, many people said that the road is very difficult to walk, so it is recommended not to go. The young man at the front desk of the hotel was serious and sincere, and said with certainty and affirmation, "Aiken Spring is not far from here; the road? It's okay; you can get there in about 40 minutes..." Really not far? ? ? Well, believe you!
Aiken Spring, an internet celebrity spot on National Highway 315. On the plains in the wilderness, there is spring water gushing out from a magical spring. From the perspective of God, it looks like a strange and magical eye, so it is also called "the devil's eye". Although it is called "Mangya Aiken Spring" in the travel brochure, in fact, from the map, it belongs to "Ruoqiang County, Bayingoleng Mongol Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang". So, we are going from Qinghai to Xinjiang!
Head northwest on the G315. After leaving Mangya City, after a short walk, I saw a sign on the side of the road: "Turn left at Aiken Spring". The navigation tells us to keep going, the street sign tells us to turn left, who is it to listen to? This led to a disagreement: LAOWANG had to follow the road signs, while Lilia and I insisted on following the directions. No matter how you look at it, this crappy sign looks like a lie. Thus, the minority obeys the majority and moves on.
In the distance, I saw a huge slogan "Keep the West Gate" - the checkpoint. This is the west gate of Qinghai, after passing this checkpoint, it is Xinjiang! ?
All vehicles must pass in sequence. After queuing for nearly 20 minutes, it was finally our turn. Everyone got out of the car and went to the next cabin to swipe their ID cards. After passing, they returned to the car and let them go! After exiting the checkpoint, follow the navigation prompts, "Turn left ahead". Well, turn left, and then, I saw another sign on the side of the road: "Building road ahead, go to Aiken Spring →", still the familiar old and scribbled. This time, the arrow points back the same way.
Helpless, I had no choice but to go back, go through the checkpoint again, go through the inspection procedure again, and return to Qinghai from Xinjiang. Once back and forth, more than an hour of tossing is gone. Finally, I found the road sign I missed just now, and turned right decisively. Take a long breath, thinking that you have embarked on the right path, but then you know, this right path is so vicissitudes - such potholes, such bumps.
Along the way, there were quite a lot of cars going to Aiken Springs. Most of the vehicles kept a distance and moved forward cautiously at a walking speed. Even so, this washboard-shaped village road is still a headache. Suddenly, a CRUISER jumped out from the convoy behind, beeping at us impatiently, as if we couldn't bear it any longer, then overtook us brazenly, dismissively, and left in the dust... count you ruthless! While cursing this bad road, while muttering, how far is it?
Although the road is bad, the scenery is not bad - overlooking the snow-capped mountains, near the swamp, the long-lost green and lazy cattle and sheep. It's finally here, have you bought a ticket? I don't remember, I was probably stunned. I just remember that there is a wilderness and rolling snow-capped mountains in front of me.
Standing next to Aiken Spring, I suddenly realized that the so-called "the height of the Tao is one foot, and the height of the devil is one foot", it turned out that only by standing tall can you see the true face of the devil! ? So, LAOWANG climbed on the lift car and looked up; Lilia and I got close to the handsome guy who was playing with the drone.
What is the legendary "devil's eye" like? There is no other, but it is the same as the pictures taken by everyone.
After trekking through thousands of mountains and rivers, I came here after a lot of inconsistencies, just to see the "demon". Have to say, a little disappointed. But after thinking about it, whether you are overjoyed or disappointed, it is all an experience during the journey. The beauty of nature requires us to witness and experience it with our own eyes.
By the way, the LOGO stone clearly says "Angel Eyes Aiken Spring"? That's right, there is only a thin line between angels and devils.
On the return trip, I walked the same "bad road" again, and I had a headache again. I remembered the sincere eyes of the young man at the front desk of the hotel. It seems that the so-called "not far away", like "a little", "appropriate amount", and "as appropriate", are all mysterious words in Chinese.
Back to G315, it was past 11 o'clock. The fuel tank must be filled up, and it is difficult to find a gas station on the road ahead. When the energy is full, our G315 journey officially begins. Qaidam Basin, no man's land, here we come!
Traveling through no-man's land, deserts, Gobi, snow-capped mountains, salt lakes... passing by one by one. The vast and boundless desert has a touching tranquility and loneliness, which makes all the flowers, flowers, willows and greens eclipsed. No cell phone signal? Don't panic, there is only one way ahead, we just need to move forward!
Nature, using the strong wind as a knife and pen, carves out uneven hills, high and low peak forests, and grotesque mounds at will, like turtles, snails, clouds, or dragons. Some are juxtaposed like beacon towers, and some stand proudly like isolated peaks, walking through them is like entering an illusion.
Why go to see Yadan specifically? Along the way, as far as the eye can see, there are Yadans on both sides of the road, all over the sky and boundless.
Walking slowly, the complexities in my mind gradually emptied. Under the blue sky and white clouds, Yadan, who is so dry, has romantic intentions.
Before I knew it, it was 4 pm, and I finally saw a gas station. Stop to refuel and take a break. Suddenly, a convoy came whistling like a gust of wind: another whistling away like a gust of wind: well-equipped, dynamic, bold and unrestrained. I can't help but sigh, luxury cars add more pride!
At 5:30 in the afternoon, I finally saw the surface of the water—a clear piece of silver shining in the sun. G315 straddles the lake, and willfully divides Xitaijinel Lake into two parts: green on the left and blue on the right. This is the "two-color highway".
Walk out of the "two-color highway" and rush to today's campsite: Yadan RV camp on the water.
It was nearly 7 o'clock when we arrived. The sky was still clear when I entered the gate, but suddenly, without warning, a strong wind picked up, and dark clouds shrouded it. The imaginary beauty of the sunset is doomed to miss. I had no choice but to wander aimlessly, take a few photos casually, and look forward to tomorrow's sunrise and sunrise.
Water Yardang RV camp is located in Wusute Water Yardang Geological Park, 900 kilometers away from National Highway 315. This is a very hot place, and during the peak season, it takes more than a month to book in advance (no refunds). However, as almost the only place to live in this uninhabited area with a radius of 100 kilometers, what else can you choose?
The wind howled all night, and the RV kept shaking, as if it was about to fall apart. The strong wind was carrying sand and stones, and it kept beating the windows of the car. While half asleep and half awake, I was still worried that the car would not be overturned by the strong wind, right?
(to be continued)
