Just came back from Chaka Salt Lake, let me tell you a few truths before going there again

✨ Chaka Salt Lake | A complete guide to the Sky Mirror, strolling in the clouds and encountering a pure white fantasy ✨ Blank content does not need to be translated. 💖 Chaka Salt Lake, the Chinese version of "Bolivia Sky Mirror"! The white salt and the blue sky are intertwined, and the reflections dance with the clouds. This is one of the "55 Places You Must Visit in Your Lifetime" rated by National Geographic, and it is also the ultimate palace of photography and romance! Blank content does not need to be translated. Blank content does not need to be translated. 【Transportation Guide】 Big traffic Blank content does not need to be translated. ✈️ Aircraft: Blank content does not need to be translated. - Fly to Xining Caojiabao Airport and take a bus/chartered car to Chaka Town (about 4 hours drive, 150 yuan/person for shared car). 😉 🚄 High Speed ​​Rail: - Xining Station → Chaka Station: There is one tourist train every day (about 4 hours, hard seat 62.5 yuan). It takes 10 minutes by taxi from the station to the scenic spot. 🚉 Blank content does not need to be translated. 🚗 Self-driving: Blank content does not need to be translated. - Xining → Chaka Salt Lake: Beijing-Tibet Expressway → National Highway 109, the entire journey is 300km (about 4 hours), passing Qinghai Lake along the way, which can be combined with the tour. 🚗 🚌 Direct bus to scenic spot: Blank content does not need to be translated. - Take the "Xining - Chaka" bus from Xining Xinning Road Bus Station (about 5 hours, 80 yuan). There are more buses during the peak season. 🚌 Blank content does not need to be translated 【Itinerary planning】 1-Day Tour Highlights - Early morning: depart from Chaka Town → Chaka Salt Lake Scenic Area (opens at 8:00 to avoid crowds)🌅 Blank content does not need to be translated. - Morning: Take a small train (50 yuan one way) to the center of the lake → take photos at the Sky Mirror Square → visit the salt sculptures 🚂 Blank content does not need to be translated. - Afternoon: Walk barefoot on the lake (prepare waterproof shoe covers) → Railway check-in point → Sky Joy Observation Deck overlooking the panoramic view 👣 Blank content does not need to be translated. - Evening: Waiting for the sunset (around 20:00 in summer), the salt lake turns pink and gold🌇 - Evening: Stay in Chaka Town. If the weather is clear, you can take photos of the starry sky (the scenic spot is not open at night)🌃 Blank content does not need to be translated. 2 days and 1 night in-depth tour - Day 1: Chaka Salt Lake + Sunset → Stay in Chaka Town🌅 - Day 2: Qinghai Lake West Ring Road (30 minutes’ drive) → Sunrise at Heima River → Xiangjiao Mountain Pass → Return 🌄 Blank content does not need to be translated. 【Must-see attractions】 🌟 Sky Mirror Core Area: Before 10:00 on sunny days/after 16:00, the reflection is clearest when there is no wind, and it is more photogenic in a red skirt! 📸 🌟 Salt Lake Train: The retro rails extend to the sky, a perfect background for Japanese-style photos. 🚂 🌟 Thousand-faced Salt Sculptures: Giant salt sculptures of Genghis Khan, Queen Mother of the West, etc., as shocking as white pyramids. 🧐 🌟 Night Sky Mirror (Summer Only): The Milky Way is reflected in the salt lake, requiring professional equipment + tripod. 🌌 🌟 Chaka Salt Culture Museum: Learn about the thousand-year history of salt mining and experience the handmade production of salt flowers. 📚 [Empty string, no translation required] 【Accommodation Recommendation】 Blank content does not need to be translated. 🏨 Chaka Town (about 2km walk to the scenic area): Blank content does not need to be translated. - High-end: Qingyan Hotel (in the scenic area, you can see the salt lake through the window, 1000+ yuan/night in peak season) 😉 Blank content does not need to be translated. - Value for money: Ulan Chaka Xingchen Inn (clean and comfortable, 300-500 yuan/night)😁 Blank content does not need to be translated. ⛺ Starry Sky Camp (Summer Only): Blank content does not need to be translated. - Sky Mirror Campsite: Transparent Bubble House + Salt Lake Night View, 800 - 1200 yuan/night (booking in advance is required). 🌃 Blank content does not need to be translated. Blank content does not need to be translated. 【Food Guide】 🍲 Kangguo lamb chops: crispy lamb with potato noodles, recommended "Chaka Salt Lake Farmhouse Restaurant". 🍖 🥛 Yak yogurt: golden milk skin on the surface, rich sweet and sour taste (better with white sugar). 😋 🍜 Qinghai stuffed skin: thick sliced ​​stuffed skin + spicy oil and vinegar, the first choice for locals' breakfast. 🍜 🍵 Salty milk tea: brick tea + salt + fresh milk, it tastes weird at first but the more you drink it the more addictive it becomes. ☕ ⚠️ Tips: There are few and expensive restaurants in the scenic area, so bring your own dry food + mineral water! 😉 Blank content does not need to be translated. 【Practical Tips】 1️⃣ Ticket information: - 60 yuan in peak season (May - October), 30 yuan in off-season; 50 yuan for a one-way train, 10 yuan for an electric car, 20 yuan/pair for shoe cover rental (50 yuan deposit). 🎫 2️⃣ Best season: - June to August: more sunny days, best mirror effect; ☀️ Blank content does not need to be translated. - September to October: Few people, the autumn colors of the salt lake are particularly beautiful; 🍁 Blank content does not need to be translated. - Avoid the rainy season (showers in July and August), when the sky is cloudy and grey! ☔ 3️⃣ Photography tips: - Choose bright-colored shoe covers (the scenic spot provides pink/blue) to avoid wearing red clothes; 🎀 Blank content does not need to be translated. - Shoot from a low position (put the phone close to the water surface) and wear a flowing long skirt to look more dynamic; 👗 Blank content does not need to be translated. - The height limit for drones is 120 meters, and the no-fly zone is along the scenic train line. 🛫 4️⃣ Lightning avoidance guide: - Most of the "Salt Crystal Souvenirs" in the scenic area are from Yiwu, so be careful when buying; 🙅‍♀️ - Do not trust illegal taxis that take passengers to "Wild Salt Lake" as their safety is not guaranteed. 🚫 5️⃣ Environmental tips: - Do not step into the black cave area of ​​the salt layer (prone to collapse) to protect the fragile salt crust; 🚶‍♂️ Blank content does not need to be translated. - Take your trash with you, salt water areas are very corrosive! 🗑️ Blank content does not need to be translated. 🌈 Chaka Salt Lake is half a pure white fantasy and half a reflection of the sky, waiting for you to embark on a dream of boundless heaven and earth! 😉