Chaka Salt Lake, known to travelers as “Mirror of the Sky” in Qinghai, China, covers an area of 105 square kilometers. Like a mirror, it reflects the beautiful snow-capped mountains surrounding it, including Qilian Mountains, Kunlun Mountains, and Rubber Mountains. Chaka Salt Lake has been named one of the “55 places to go in a lifetime” by National Tourism Geographic Magazine.
The vast field of vision and clarity of the water makes Chaka Salt Lake a magical place at night. You’ll have an unobstructed view of the starry night sky both above and below in the water. It is the first shooting base for the most beautiful starry sky in China.
Apart from its natural wonders, Chaka Salt Lake is also famous for being one of the birthplaces of Chinese salt culture. “Chaka” in Tibetan, means “salt pond.” For over 3,000 years, it has served as a natural salt mine of a green edible salt called “Daqing Salt.” Chaka Salt Lake has been an important stop on the ancient Silk Road from central China into Tibet.
Fast Facts about Chaka Salt Lake
- Location: No. 9 Salt Lake Road, Chaka Town, Wulan County, Qinghai Province
- Tickets: CNY 60 during peak season, CNY 30 during off season, CNY 50 for the sightseeing train
- Hours: 6 am-8 pm during peak season, 7:30 am-7 pm during off season
- Recommended Visit Time: 1 day
- Best Time of the Year: May till October, especially July to August
- Suited to: nature or outdoor lovers
What to See and Do at Chaka Salt Lake
1. Visit the “Mirror of the Sky”
At an altitude of 3,059 meters (10,036 feet), Chaka Salt Lake is vast, clear, and flat. In its reflection, the sky and the lake join together. You’ll get lost in amongst the sky and the water. Many also travel to Qinghai to get close to the stars, and Chaka Salt Lake is a great place for stargazing and photography.
2. Walk about Chaka Salt Lake
There are a number of platforms that extend from the bank, such as the “Love Platform,” “I Love Chaka Platform,” and the “Qianying Muxue Platform.” They each have creative shapes and walkways that reach over the quiet surface of Chaka Lake. Take a walk on the platforms and take stunning photos. They are great places for viewing the sunrise and sunset.
3. Admire the Brilliant Salt Statues
Because of its abundance in salt, Chaka Salt Lake is also famous for a unique exhibition of salt sculptures. They are magnificent in size and detail, show respect to the great Mongolian leader Genghis Khan and ancestors of the salt culture.
4. Witness Cultural Ritual and Ceremony
Every year on the 15th of the fifth month of the lunar calendar, Chaka Salt Lake sees its grandest sacrificial ceremony, which has a history of 241 years. The local herdsmen dressed in festive costumes bring with them offerings such as pine branches, parsley, ghee oil, straw, rice noodles, milk, and liquor to the statue of the Salt Lake Goddess.
They tied different colored khatags to the tree branches, and engage in traditional festival activities like horse racing, archery, and wrestling.
5. Take a Sightseeing Train
In the early development of Chaka Salt Lake, trains were used to transport salt and workers to and from the salt lake. As mining technologies advanced, the salt lake trains and rails were slowly abandoned and disappeared. You can still find part of a rail line from the 1950s extending into the lake.
Today, sightseeing trains are in operation carrying traditions of the past, transporting visitors across different parts of the vast scenic area. It is now an indispensable part of people’s Qinghai tour.
How to Get to Chaka Salt Lake
Chaka Salt Lake is about 300 kilometers (186 miles) from the capital of Qinghai Province, Xining. There are several ways to travel from Xining to the lake.
Private car: Hiring a private driver is the easiest way to reach Chaka Salt Lake. It takes about 4 hours along G109 National Highway.
Bus: Take a tourist express bus from Bayi Bus Terminal, at Yongchang Mansion on Bayi Road in Xining. The bus leaves at 8am and returns at 4pm with a fare of CNY 40 per person for a single trip.
Train: Take a bullet train from Xining Railway Station to Chaka Railway Station, about 5 kilometers (3 miles) away from Chaka Salt Lake. The train takes about 1 hour and costs CNY 34 for a second-class seat. From the station, take a taxi or walk to the lake.
Attractions nearby Chaka Salt Lake
- Qinghai Lake is about 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) east of Chaka Salt Lake. It is the largest and most beautiful lake in China. You’ll find stunning scenery including mountains, grasslands, and fields of blooming flowers.
- Heimahe Town sits on the west shore of Qinghai Lake. It is a small town where you can experience local Tibetan culture and lifestyle.
