I went to Dunhuang from Golmud Motor Travel twice, and I chose to stay in Dachaidan because it is very convenient for eating and accommodation. It is a small town. I once stayed here for a few days to rest. Dachaidan is 190 kilometers away from Golmud City and 320 kilometers away from Dunhuang. However, Dachaidan is under the jurisdiction of Haixi Prefecture and is a county-level administrative area, 200 kilometers away from Delingha City, the seat of the Haixi Prefecture government. Dachaidan is a small town in the desert with a population of more than 10,000.
Attractions
Dachaidan Attractions
1. Dachaidan Town
This is a county-level administrative district, so all supporting facilities are complete. If you have enough time, you can take a closer look at this small town. There are only a few streets and wide roads. You can basically visit the entire town in a few hours.
Dachaidan Street
Dachaidan government agency
Dachaidan Kindergarten
2. Water Yadan (Usut Yadan Geopark)
240 kilometers away from Dachaidan, this is the largest and most spectacular Yadan community in the world, covering an area of about 21,000 square kilometers, mainly distributed in the Nanbaxian and Oboliang areas. The main viewing points include Turtle Bay, West Sea Fleet and Wanghai Platform.
3. Great Qaidam Lake (Emerald Lake)
This is the Great Qaidam Lake, also known as Yike Qaidam Lake in Mongolian. Dachaidan Lake currently does not require tickets. There are many mineral chemicals in the lake. One lake has an emerald color, so it is also called Emerald Lake. It is the mining area of the salt lake mining team of the former Dachaidan Chemical Plant. The lake is rich in boron, lithium, salt, potash fertilizer, mirabilite, etc. The high-concentration salt water in this salt pond of different sizes, shapes, and depths is locally known as "Brine" is a pit formed by years of salt lake mining. Due to the different concentrations of minerals contained in it, it forms a colorful scene. This is a salt lake and is very beautiful to take pictures of.
4. Xiaochaidan Lake
It is called Xiao Qaidan Lake and is actually the largest saltwater lake in the entire Dachaidan area. It is about 35 kilometers away from Chaidan Town and has an altitude of 3178 meters. The lake surface is nearly diamond-shaped and is a sodium chloride type brine. Xiao Qaidan Lake is also the location of the first Paleolithic site on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau recognized by academic circles. The Xiao Qaidan Paleolithic Site is on the south bank of Xiao Qaidan Lake. Its discovery shows the climate of the Qaidan region 25,000 to 30,000 years ago. It's mild, the vegetation is lush, and the fish are jumping in the lake.
5. Dachaidan Snow Mountain Hot Spring
Located in the hot spring valley of Qaidam Mountain, the top of the mountain is covered with snow all year round. There are a total of 109 springs in the hot spring ditch, including 61 hot springs. The water temperature is generally around 80 degrees, and the water volume reaches 2,000 tons/day. It is the only natural geothermal spring in the Qaidam area. Qaidam Mountain Hot Spring Valley is 8 kilometers away from Daqaidan. This is actually a hot spring hotel. You can also choose to just soak in the hot springs. Sometimes there are huge discounts.
Tickets are 128 yuan.
Strategy
Dachaidan travel guide
Shuiyadan is 240 kilometers away from Dachaidan Town. If you are traveling independently, you need to charter a car or join a group tour in Dachaidan. If you are going to Xinjiang, you can take G315 and pass by. Da Qaidam Lake (Emerald Lake) is 12 kilometers away from Da Qaidan Town, and there is no direct train. Dachaidan’s pit-pot pork is better, you can try it.