What’s fun in Golmud, Qinghai? Golmud attractions and food travel guide

Usually those taking the Qinghai-Tibet Line will stop at Golmud, which is an important rest and supply point on the Qinghai-Tibet Line. Golmud City is 2,780 meters above sea level. If you go to Tibet, the altitude will be higher after you pass Golmud. Golmud is a strategic fortress in Qinghai connecting Tibet, Xinjiang, and Gansu and a transportation hub in western China. The three main highways of Qinghai-Tibet, Qingxin-Xinjiang, and Dunge meet here. It has a permanent population of more than 200,000 people. Golmud is located in the hinterland of the Qaidam Basin, in the southwest of the Qaidam Basin, and to the south is the Hoh Xil Reserve. I have traveled through all three roads: Qinghai-Tibet, Qingxin-Xinjiang, and Dungere. In other words, from Golmud you can go to Tibet, Xinjiang, and Dunhuang. After finishing writing about Qinghai and Gansu, I started writing about Xinjiang.

 

Attractions

Main attractions in Golmud

1. Qarhan Salt Lake

The first time I went to Chaerhan Salt Lake, it took me a long time to find the factory gate. Because the road in the salt lake was a bit muddy, it is much better now. Qarhan Salt Lake is the largest salt lake in China and one of the most famous inland salt lakes in the world. When entering the factory, you will first see a salt lake museum, which displays the formation history and mining process of Qarhan Salt Lake. In the scenic area, there is a road paved with salt that extends to the lake - the Wanzhang Salt Bridge. The hardness is the same as that of an ordinary asphalt road. When a road is damaged, it can be restored by just pouring some brine on it. There are white salt crystals on both sides of the salt lake, and the lake water is transparent and green. On a sunny day, the surrounding scenery, sky and white clouds are reflected in the lake, making it an excellent place for photography. The photos are indeed beautiful.

 

tips:

(1) In principle, the salt factory only allows vehicles with entry documents to register and enter. Therefore, when renting a car in Golmud, it is best to confirm whether you can drive into the factory, otherwise you may be charged a so-called "ticket" by the security guard at the door. There are currently no tickets for the Qarhan Salt Lake scenic spot. You can contact the scenic spot at: 0979-8222015.

(2) Qarhan Salt Lake is 60 kilometers away from Golmud City. You can take the factory commuter bus from the Everest Building on the east side of Kunlun Square in Golmud City to the salt field. The bus leaves as soon as it is full. There is no fixed departure time. It usually runs during the day and runs about every hour. The fare is 15-20 yuan.

 

2. Queen Mother of the West Yaochi

Xiwangmu Yaochi is a natural plateau flat lake, a sacred lake worshiped by Taoist believers. It is 250 kilometers away from the urban area of ​​Golmud, with an altitude of more than 4,300 meters. It is about 12,000 meters long from east to west and about 5,000 meters wide from north to south. It covers an area of ​​more than 60 square kilometers and its deepest point reaches 107 meters. , the lake surface is in a wishful shape.

 

3. Golmud Populus euphratica forest

 

The Golmud Populus euphratica forest is the only Populus euphratica forest in Qinghai and the highest altitude in the world. Populus euphratica forests have their own characteristics throughout the year, and the best time is golden autumn. The best time is October every year, when Populus euphratica turns from green to yellow, it is most beautiful.

 

tips:

(1) Tuolahai Animal Husbandry Cooperative in Golemud Township, 50 kilometers west of Golmud, can only be accessed by self-driving or chartered vehicles from the city.

 

(2) Populus euphratica forest has two main entrances, one to see the new Populus euphratica forest and the other to see the old Populus euphratica forest. You need to buy a ticket to enter from the two gates. One is to enter from the southwest near the signboard of the scenic area, where the Populus euphratica is tall and dense, with many saplings. You can go to the river to enjoy and photograph the scenery of Shahe River, but the journey is far; the other is to drive about 3 kilometers further to the south. After climbing over many sand ridges to enter, you will see the vigorous Populus euphratica, many dead trees, the ups and downs of the desert, and the landscape is very distinctive. Tickets are 50 yuan.

 

4. Mount Yuzhu

Yuzhu Peak is the highest peak in the eastern section of Kunlun Mountains. There are many peaks of about 5,000 meters standing on both sides of it. It is gentle in the south and steep in the north. There are modern glaciers on both the north and south slopes.

 

Yuzhu Peak is located 160 kilometers south of Golmud City and 10 kilometers east of the Kunlun Pass. It is recommended to drive there by yourself or charter a car. Chartered buses within Golmud City can provide same-day round trips. There is a sign called Yuzhu Peak in Xidatan, which is a good spot to watch.

 

Golmud also has scenic spots such as Kunlun Pass and Tanggula Pass, both of which are on the Qinghai-Tibet Line. You can stop there when passing by.

 

gourmet food

Golmud Authentic Food Restaurants

1. Sanjiangyuan Food City

If you go to Golmud, it is recommended to try hand-caught mutton and roast mutton. You can see many barbecue restaurants in the streets and alleys. Sanjiangyuan Food City is located on Bayi East Road. The store is relatively large and there are quite a lot of people eating there. You can try the hand-caught lamb and lamb chops.

 

2. Zhoujiazhuang leather

There are dough skin and rice skin, black and white, black + white is recommended.

 

3. Haggis

Just on the straight line of Zhoujia Niangpi Street, there is a restaurant specializing in haggis. The only thing written on the wall is haggis. It tastes good and is served with pancakes. There are large and small bowls.

 

4. Beef noodles

There are also many beef noodle restaurants in Golmud. We recommend beef noodles and fried firecrackers. It is recommended to choose a halal restaurant.

 

Golmud also has a lot of rice noodles, hot pot, large plates of chicken, and grilled fish.

 

Strategy

Play:

1. Two-day tour route: D1. Tour along the Qinghai-Tibet Line to Suonandajie Protection Station in Hoh Xil and return the same way. The round trip is 400 kilometers and takes about 11 hours. We passed through the Kunlun Holy Spring, Sancha River Bridge, Yuxu Palace, West Beach, Freezing Spring, Kunlun Pass, Suonandajie Conservation Station, etc. We mainly enjoyed the snow-capped mountains, springs, plateau desert, Tibetan wild donkeys, Tibetan yaks, Tibetan antelope, in memory of martyrs Sonam Dajie and others. D2. Populus euphratica forest in the morning and Qalhan Salt Lake in the afternoon. Return to Golmud.
2. Three-day tour route: D1. Tour along the Qinghai-Tibet Line to Suonandajie Conservation Station in Hoh Xil and return the same way. The round trip is 400 kilometers and takes about 11 hours. We passed through the Kunlun Holy Spring, Sancha River Bridge, Yuxu Palace, West Beach, Freezing Spring, Kunlun Pass, Suonandajie Conservation Station, etc. We mainly enjoyed the snow-capped mountains, springs, plateau desert, Tibetan wild donkeys, Tibetan yaks, Tibetan antelope, in memory of martyrs Sonam Dajie and others. D2. Populus euphratica forest in the morning and Qalhan Salt Lake in the afternoon. Return to Golmud to Dachaidan and stay in Dachaidan. D3. Dachaidan-Emerald Lake-Southern Eight Immortals-Devil City-Shui Yadan-315 Most Beautiful Highway-Golmud. (This itinerary can also be compressed into a two-day itinerary. If you don’t go to Populus euphratica forest, you can go to Dachaidan on the first day.)