Published : 20/03/2022
Thought lake water only came in one colour? Actually, that's not the case; lake water can be multi-coloured.
In places like Qinghai and Inner Mongolia, China, there are many stunning coloured lakes in deep red, rose pink, goose yellow, and emerald green... it's as if nature accidentally knocked over its palette, creating a beauty that is quite surreal! These dazzling, coloured lake wonders are created due to the presence of salt and minerals in the water. I wonder if any of you have been to these places?
"Heart of the Earth" Ulan Lake
In the heartland of the Tengger Desert in Inner Mongolia lies a red lake, where the water displays varying shades of red and, when viewed from above, resembles a beating heart, leaving one mesmerised.
This is Ulan Lake, known as the "Heart of the Earth".
"Ulan" means red in Mongolian. This lake has existed for hundreds of years, and the red water is believed to be related to the metallic elements or microorganisms in it, which is quite magical.
Although Ulan Lake is not too far from the edge of the desert, it remains undeveloped and is difficult to find on map navigation. To appreciate this wonder, one must be led by a local guide and travel by car.
"Golden Sea" Sulphur Lake
Qinghai has many natural wonders, such as the two-coloured lakes, Aiken Spring, the "Eye of the Devil", are all very well-known. Among Qinghai's many brightly coloured salt lakes, Sulphur Lake in Eboliang is probably the least known.
Eboliang is located 8 kilometres northeast of Mangya City, Haixi Prefecture, Qinghai Province, and is part of the Qaidam Yardang landform group, the largest Yardang landform group in China.
As Eboliang has not yet been extensively developed, the area still maintains its relatively complete and original landform. As far as the eye can see, there is vast desert sand and rugged, peculiar rocks, making it feel as if one is on Mars.
Sulphur Lake is situated deep within the no-man's land of Eboliang. It is said that the water of this golden, mystical wonderland also changes colour with the seasons, which is quite magical. If you were to visit this place in person, you would surely be amazed by the extraordinary craftsmanship of nature.
"Sky Mirror" Qarhan Salt Lake
Besides Chaka Salt Lake, there is the Qarhan Salt Lake. Located in the western part of Qinghai Province, the Qarhan Salt Lake has an area of over 5,800 square kilometres, which is larger than five Hong Kongs, and is the largest salt lake in China and even Asia.
"Qarhan" means "salt marsh" in Mongolian. Due to the hot and dry climate, water evaporates quickly, and the salt in the lake gradually crystallises, forming beautiful "salt flowers" that are as clear as jade and come in various forms.
Some resemble coral, some look like pavilions, others are like birds and beasts, or undulating mountain ranges. Combined with the turquoise lake water, the beauty is simply breathtaking.
"God's Tear" Dachaidan Emerald Lake
Near Dachaidan Town, about 400 kilometres from Chaka, there is also a little-known emerald lake called Dachaidan Emerald Lake.
Dachaidan Emerald Lake is made up of multiple colourful salt ponds, ranging from pale cyan and emerald green to deep blue.
The water changes to different colours according to the varying mineral content, and these "small lakes" are actually formed from many abandoned salt mining pits. Under the sunlight, the water sparkles like crystal-clear jade stones, which is how the Emerald Lake got its name, and it is very dreamlike.
Dachaidan Emerald Lake also has a very dreamlike nickname, which is "God's Tear". If the crimson red of Ailikun Spring represents the "devil", then the Emerald Lake is like an exquisite tear dropped by God, representing the 'angel'. Angel and devil—it shows people have a very rich imagination.
Read more: Today's Scenery｜How spectacular are China's "trees of the earth"?