In my mind, the Northwest has always been a treasure land.
Especially in Qinghai Haixi, there are too many amazing scenic spots hidden. After driving once last year, I have been obsessed with it.
This year is the most beautiful season in Qinghai, I am going to pack my bags and set off again, and walk this route again completely.
Friends who have been to Haixi know that although the natural scenery here is charming, most of the scenic spots are in a semi-open or even undeveloped state.
Therefore, there is no so-called tourism package, and there are big problems in road conditions, catering, and accommodation along the way in some places.
So this time, I chose the Great Wall Brigade Cannon, an off-road RV that combines off-road + camping as my car this time. It has strong off-road performance and has gone to many places that I could not go to last year. Erbo beam camping wish.
4,000 kilometers, 10-day trip, and the Great Wall Brigade cannon to start a magical trip to the Northwest.
Great Northwest Trailer
Qinghai Lake where rape blossoms bloom in July
Tosu Lake in Deninha
Blood of the Earth on National Highway 315
U-shaped road
Yadan on the water
Known as the Qinghai branch of the Maldives, Dongtai Jinel Lake
double color lake
The place on earth that most resembles the surface of Mars - Erbo Liang
Mars Camp
emerald lake
Devil's Eye - Aiken Springs
Sunset in Golmud
Hoh Xil
The starry sky under the Kunlun Mountains
Queen Mother of the West Yaochi in the hinterland of Kunlun Mountains
Recommended itinerary
D1 Chengdu - Xining (airplane)
D2 Xining - Qinghai Lake Cliff - Deningha (510km, 7.5 hours by car)
Attractions: Cliffs of Qinghai Lake Accommodation: Deningha
D3 Deningha—Tuosu Lake—Dongtai Jinel Lake—Water Yadan (442km, 6.5 hours by car)
Attractions: Tosu Lake, Dongtai Jinel Lake, Water Yardang Accommodation: Water Yardang RV Camp
D4 Water Yardang—Xitaijinel Lake—Mars Camp (130km+ Mars Highway, 3 hours by car, about 3 to 4 hours in the Erboliang area, camping Mars Camp
Attractions: Xitaijinel Lake, Mars Camp, Erboliang Accommodation: Mars Camp Camping
D5 Mars Camp - Mangya Emerald Lake - Mangya City (320km, 5 hours by car)
Attraction: Emerald Lake Accommodation: Mangya City
D6 Mangya City - Mangya Devil's Eye - Golmud (600km, 9 hours by car)
Attraction: Aiken Spring Devil's Eye Accommodation: Golmud
D7 Golmud - Freezing Spring - Hoh Xil - Kunlun Mountains (430km, 8 hours by car)
Attractions: Kunlun Mountains, Hoh Xil Accommodation: Camping in Kunlun Mountains
D8 Kunlun Mountain - Golmud - Dulan County (767km, 8.5 hours by car)
Attractions: None Accommodation: Dulan County
D9 Dulan County--Qinghai Lake Erlang Sword--Xining (432km, 6.5 hours by car)
Attraction: Qinghai Lake Accommodation: Xining
D10 Xining - Chengdu
Qinghai Lake, the largest lake in China
Qinghai Lake is a place that I check in every time I go to Qinghai. It is also very close to Xining, about 2 hours’ drive away.
However, the area of Qinghai Lake is too large. It takes about 360 kilometers to drive around, and it takes a whole day to stop and play.
For my itinerary this time, because I will pass by Qinghai Lake, I plan to take the 315 National Highway on the northern line, and check in one of the most popular spots on the Internet recently, the Qinghai Cliff.
On the return journey, we will take the traditional southern line National Highway 109. This season, the rape blossoms here are also the most vigorous season, which is very beautiful.
Qinghai Lake Cliff:
This is a hot spot on the Internet recently. It is located on the northwest side of Qinghai Lake, and you can drive to the lake by following the navigation.
When approaching the cliff, there are local Tibetans charging at the door. The fee is 10 yuan per person. After paying the fee, the car can continue to drive in. When it comes to the big cliff, someone will charge again, which is also 10 yuan. One person said that there are big and small cliffs here, which belong to two families, so they have to charge separately.
The weather was not very good when we came here, and we didn’t find any particularly beautiful scenery. However, it is very close to the lake, but I personally think that there is no need to come here when the weather is bad. One is that the distance is too far, and the other is that the weather is bad. view.
Rapeseed flowers in Qinghai Lake:
On the return trip, the weather was fine, and we encountered the most beautiful season of Qinghai Lake again.
By the lake near Erlangjian, thousands of acres of rapeseed are planted here every year. It only costs 20 yuan per person to go in and take pictures and play freely.
Therefore, it is really not recommended to go to the so-called Erlangjian Scenic Area. The outside world is the most real Qinghai Lake.
Tosu Lake, Alien Site
Leaving Qinghai Lake and continuing along National Highway 315, we will arrive at Deningha, the capital of Haixi Prefecture.
There are many unknown lakes in Haixi, some are hidden deep in the mountains, some are just beside the highway,
As long as you pay attention to the scenery outside the car window, you will find that this place is no less than any scenic spot in China.
This is the "Gahai" on the side of the expressway.
Next to Deningha, there is another lake that few people care about - Tosu Lake
Even with navigation, it is difficult to find the way to the lake, and the south bank of Tosu Lake is the mysterious alien ruins.
There is no road in the navigation lens. If you want to continue to the lake, ordinary cars will not work at all.
Only hard-core off-road vehicles can continue to move forward. The off-road performance of the Great Wall Brigade Cannon is very good, and there is no pressure at all on such a road.
In a place without human habitation, if aliens want to explore the earth, this must be the best choice.
Brigade guns are really a good fit here.
We drove the car to the lake, took drinks and fruit from the refrigerator, put on portable seats, and had a glass of red wine.
I really can't imagine that traveling in such a rough place can be so pleasant.
The push-pull roof tent can be equipped with solar panels on the roof, and the inside of the box is equipped with an inverter reserve battery to provide the necessary power for outdoor life.
In addition to the off-road performance of pickup trucks, some RVs have brigade guns,
Luggage racks, awnings, water heaters, refrigerators, air conditioners, inverters, etc.
Wanghong Highway National Highway 315
Country 315 in the northwest is known as one of the most beautiful highways in China.
And the most popular section on the Internet recently is the section from Xiaochaidan to Mars Highway.
"Blood of the Earth", U-shaped highway, Dongtai Jinel Lake, Water Yadan, and Shuangse Lake are all concentrated here.
"Earth Blood"
Driving along National Highway 315 from Xiaochaidan Interchange, at 757 kilometers, there is a red river, which is called "the blood of the earth" by netizens, but you must take aerial photography to see the more obvious effect. The color is a bit more pronounced after the rain, and if it's too dry, the color isn't too red.
"U" shaped highway
The U-shaped highway that exploded last year is known as the Chinese version of "Route 66".
There are too many people coming now. For the sake of safety, it is forbidden to stop and take pictures. If you really want to take pictures of the hills that can drive the car to the side of the road, it is still possible without affecting the normal driving vehicles.
Do not stand in the middle of the road to take pictures, it is very dangerous.
Dongtai Jinel Lake
Known as the "Maldives" of Qinghai, it is a very large salt lake with really beautiful colors.
However, it has been closed this year.
double color lake
Also known as Xitaijinel Lake, National Highway 315 is like a water highway here, and the color of the lake on both sides of the highway is one deep and one light.
There are parking areas along the roadside in the middle of the lake, and the colors will be very beautiful when photographed by drones.
Wusu Yadan Geological Park
The Yardang landforms on both sides of National Highway 315 are not unusual at all, but the Yardang over water is the only Yardang over water landform in the world.
This is a well-developed scenic spot, and you need to buy tickets and sightseeing cars to enter.
The RV camp in Yadan on the water is also the only hotel with better conditions on this section of the road. July to September is the peak season in Northwest China, so you must book in advance to get a room.
Tickets: 90
Sightseeing car: 60
Erboliang Mars Camp, the most Mars-like place on Earth
There is a Mars Highway here, leading to the most Mars-like place on Earth.
The road condition of Mars Highway is not good, especially if it is raining, don't go there rashly.
Also, you must book accommodation in advance. Only Mars Camp can provide accommodation in the entire Erboliang area. It is the kind of single-person space capsule, and it seems to be 1,500 people per person in peak season. And you need to book at least half a month in advance to have a place.
We drove the brigade gun this time, so naturally we don’t have to worry about accommodation. Before we came, we planned to go camping in Erboliang, and we were going to take pictures of the starry sky in Erboliang.
But when I came here, I found out that starting from July 13th, all entering vehicles need to charge 500 navigation fee + 500 deposit, and can only stay in it for 4 hours. After 4 hours, it will be charged at 50 per hour. Superimposed, it is a lot of money to park the car and camp in this way, and the gate is closed at night and it is not allowed to go up. We can only camp in a parking lot outside Camp Mars.
I have to say that I think the environment of the brigade cannon camp is much more comfortable than the 1,500 yuan sleeping cabin of the Mars camp.
The 1900mmx1800mm double bed is more than enough for us two strong men.
The push-pull roof tent, even if a 1.8-meter man stands in the car after opening, there is no problem at all.
Turn on the starry sky and ambient lights at night, and it will instantly become warm and romantic.
Every time we unfold the car while camping, it will attract a lot of curious eyes.
The first sentence of many people is that this car is really well modified. When they hear that this is the original factory configuration, they will all make a sound of surprise.
Lenghu Mars Camp is the first Mars research and travel practice education camp in China. The weather here is dry, communication is blocked, there are no people in the area, and it is far away from the bustling city and the noise of the outside world. Here you can provide the most realistic simulated experience of landing on Mars. The desolate and rugged scenery around you makes you feel like you are on Mars!
And our car drove all the way, as if it was traveling on the surface of Mars.
spot an astronaut
emerald lake
The total area of the salt lake is about 26 square kilometers. It is a magnesium sulfate subtype salt lake. There is a rock salt layer at the bottom, generally 5 meters thick, and the thickest part is 9.68 meters.
The high-concentration brine in this salt pool of different sizes, shapes, and depths is called "brine" locally, and it is a mining pit formed after years of salt lake mining.
Tickets: Free
Parking fee: 10 yuan, RV 20
Ordinary RVs here are too wide and too high to drive in, so they can only be parked in the parking lot at the entrance.
Our Great Wall brigade is equipped with guns, and the width and height are very well controlled, so it just happens to be able to drive directly into the road in Emerald Lake, and the parking fee is 10 yuan for ordinary cars.
Due to the different concentrations of the minerals contained in it, a colorful scene is formed. When the weather is calm, it is scattered around like a mirror. Become the new "mirror of the sky".
We waited by the lake until sunset before leaving.
Devil's Eye: Aiken Springs
In Moheer Brook Village, Huatugou Town, Mangya City, Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province, there is a magical landscape called "Eye of the Earth", named Aiken Spring. Looking down from the air, the spring, the gushing spring water, and the crimson ring-shaped sediment on the surrounding land form a peculiar pupil shape, like an eye embedded in the earth.
Tickets: Free
Parking fee: 10 yuan
Aiken Spring is located in the vast land at the foot of the snow-capped mountains. The spring water looks ordinary in color, but it is not drinkable because of the high sulfur content in the spring water. After long-term evaporation, the minerals in the spring water are deposited in the surrounding soil, corroding the surrounding vegetation and soil.
Experts speculate that the formation of Aiken Spring may be related to the deep fault and the tilt of the aquifer. Qinghai Province is located on the northern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, on the boundary of active blocks, and the neotectonic movement is very strong. Large earthquake fault zones such as the Altyn Fault Zone, Kunlun Fault Zone, and West Qinling Fault Zone all pass through Qinghai. In the fault zone, there are often valleys and sometimes springs and lakes.
Kunlun Mountains and Hoh Xil
17 years ago, because of a movie "Koke Xil", I have been full of longing for this mysterious land.
The story of Sonam Dajie has always been impressive.
And this is the third time I have come to Hoh Xil. The sky is still so blue, and the snow mountains and white clouds seem to be within reach.
Sonam Dajie Protection Station was named in memory of Sonam Dajie, the hero who protected the Tibetan antelope.
The soldiers who patrol the mountains in Hoh Xil usually live here. I once had the opportunity to live with them for a period of time. I really admire the fighters who patrol the mountains here.
The Qinghai-Tibet Railway and the Qinghai-Tibet Highway run parallel here.
Whether you are taking the train or driving by yourself, you can see various wild animals such as Tibetan antelope, Tibetan wild ass, yak, and horse on the roadside.
In the current Hoh Xil Nature Reserve, the number of animals is increasing, but it still takes a certain amount of luck to see a large herd of Tibetan antelope.
Moreover, Hoh Xil prohibits the entry of private cars, please strictly abide by it.
After nightfall, we continued driving to find a campsite.
Next to Hoh Xil is Kunlun Mountain, which is sparsely populated and has many wild animals.
The choice of campsite is very important. It is best to choose a place near the construction site and where there are activities.
It is still dangerous to prevent encountering wolves or bears at night.
We drove the car to a road construction shed, and we are going to camp here tonight.
The moonlight is very bright at night, even if the lights are not turned on, the surrounding environment can be seen clearly.
Around 10pm, the Milky Way also became clearly visible to the naked eye.
I looked up at the starry sky, only to realize that it had been a year since the last time I saw such a beautiful starry sky.
In fact, this is what the night sky really looks like, but for us in the city, the beautiful night sky is covered up by neon lights.
I have to say that the brigade gun is very suitable for photographers, especially for star photographers.
When you meet the beautiful Milky Way, stop the car and open the tent, you can sleep comfortably without missing any beautiful Milky Way.
The meteor shower in August, I hope to continue to drive it to chase stars.
The hinterland of Kunlun: the fairyland of the Queen Mother of the West
Queen Mother of the West Yaochi
This is a scenic spot being developed in Kunlun Mountains, and the road to West Queen Mother Yaochi has been repaired.
The 120-kilometer shuttle highway is in very good condition. Now the scenic spot is open for free. I guess tickets will be collected soon, because the visitor center at the entrance has almost been repaired.
You must wear long pants and long sleeves to go to the lake. There are so many words here, and the ground is covered with a thick layer. Ordinary mosquito repellent water is useless at all. There are too many of them. I can’t stand it after getting out of the car to take pictures for a few minutes. Back to the car.
West Queen Mother Yaochi is the source of the Kunlun River. It is a natural plateau flat lake and a sacred lake worshiped by Taoist believers. It has an average altitude of 4,470 meters, a length of about 12,000 meters from east to west, and a width of about 5,000 meters from north to south. The depth of the lake is 21.9 meters. Green as dyed, clear and translucent. Waterfowl gather, or fly on the lake, or play in the water, the golden wind is cool, the auspicious air is transpiring, a peaceful scene, the lakeside is rich in water and grass, wild yaks, wild donkeys, brown bears, yellow sheep, Tibetan antelopes and other wild animals appear, and the scene is myriad.
There is a platform beside the lake. It is said that every year on the third day of the third month, the sixth day of the sixth month and the eighth day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar, the Queen Mother of the West specially holds a feast of peaches here to entertain all kinds of gods.
You can see the majestic Kunlun Mountains from the edge of Yaochi.
On both sides of the road leading to Yaochi, various wild animals are often seen.
Tibetan antelope, Tibetan wild ass, and Tibetan fox.
epilogue
For me, traveling is not only to measure the map with footsteps, but also to explore the unknown of this world.
This time, with the company of brigade guns all the way, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery, stop and go as you go, without being restrained.
If you also like this kind of travel, then add a little game to your camping life.
