East Taijinar Lake

Background

East Taijinar Lake lies in the middle of the Qaidam Basin in northern Golmud, beside National Highway 315, at about 2,681 metres above sea level. The lake runs northwest to southeast, about 22 km long and 5 km wide, covering about 116 square kilometres, with a depth of 0.6 to 1 metre. Its water is a distinctive blue-green that shifts with the light; on sunny days the surface mirrors the sky, and the shores are covered in white salt crystals that contrast sharply with the water. The lake is fed by rivers from the northern slopes of the Kunlun Mountains, with the East Taijinar River flowing in year-round. The surface brine contains about 331.5 grams of salt per litre and is of the magnesium-sulphate type; annual precipitation is only about 30 mm, while evaporation is about 80 times greater, so salts keep crystallising out to form white flats. East Taijinar is one of the few lithium-rich salt lakes, and the area is a production and research base for lithium, boron, potassium and magnesium, with salt pans and industrial facilities visible by the lake.

Local customs

• Stop at the lakeside pull-offs beside National Highway 315 to look out over the blue-green water and white salt flats, and photograph the "mirror of the sky" on sunny days
• climb the small hill by the lake for a view of the whole lake away from the crowds
• when you pass West Taijinar Lake on the way, compare the colours of the two lakes.

Travel tips

• East Taijinar Lake is a mining production area, not an official scenic site, so be sure to check the latest access situation before you go
• facilities are very basic, so bring enough water and food. The lake is at about 2,680 metres with strong UV, so protect yourself from the sun and avoid strenuous exertion to prevent altitude sickness. Most visitors come by self-drive or chartered car: about 1 to 2.5 hours from Dachaidan Town and about 4 hours from Golmud. The route is sparsely populated, so fill up the tank in advance
• there are no scheduled buses, so check local information before travelling.
• June to October is the best season, with the lake most vivid in summer and the best light on sunny days
• the lake begins to freeze in late October and thaws in March, and winter is bitterly cold, so avoid travelling then.