When it comes to the most desolate area, many immediately think of the Sahara Desert – a barren place where it’s easy to get lost in a way that you might never return.
As the largest desert in the world, the solitude of the Sahara is understandable. However, in China, there is a place known as a city that is just as “lonely” as the desert. This is Mangnai City, located in the Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Hainan (Qinghai, China).
Mangnai City.
Geographical Location
To understand the solitude of Mangnai City, we must start with its geographical position.
China has four desolate, uninhabited areas, and Mangnai City is situated in three of them.
- To the North of Mangnai lies the uninhabited area of Lop Nur (La Bù Bạc), shrouded in mysterious tales.
- To the West is the famous Altun Mountains (A Nhĩ Kim Sơn), separating the eastern part of the Tarim Basin from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
- To the South is also uninhabited, known as Kaka Tili, an isolated area in the northwest of Qinghai – Tibet.
- Even the East borders the Qaidam Basin, which is inaccessible.
The nearest location to Mangnai is still 200 km away.
It can be said that if you start from Mangnai City, no matter which direction you head in, you will find yourself lost in some of the most desolate and mysterious places in China, even on the planet. The nearest location to Mangnai is still 200 km away, posing a challenge for those who wish to explore and venture.
Area and Population
Mangnai City is surrounded completely by uninhabited land, with a total area of 49,900 km2, but a population of only 63,000 people. The area of Mangnai is only half that of Jiangsu Province, yet its population is 1,350 times greater.
Residents of Mangnai City have a very high happiness index.
The economy of the city relies on the mining industry. The city is divided into two towns: Huatuqiao Town and Mangnai Town, plus one county called Kazi.
However, the residents of Mangnai City have a very high happiness index. You might ask why people feel happy in this desolate city?
Simply because they are wealthy from mineral mining.
Mining area in Mangnai.
Despite the surrounding desolation, the city center is quite bustling. The residents here are generally satisfied with what they have, preferring to reflect on life rather than compete. Perhaps because of fewer conflicts and less gossip compared to other bustling cities, they naturally have less sorrow and struggle. Thus, it’s easy to understand why they live happily.
Climate
Mangnai City has a highland continental climate, with an average annual temperature of only 4 degrees Celsius and annual rainfall reaching 47.8 mm, resulting in dry and cold weather. Not to mention extreme weather conditions such as sandstorms…
Mangnai is desolate, yet it is a tourist paradise because it possesses natural “treasures”
To get to Mangnai City, you can only travel by car via National Road 315.
This is also considered the “loneliest national road” in China, cutting through the Gobi Desert and vast barren lands, where even the sound of birds is a luxury. However, the scenery along the way is so beautiful that it makes you feel like you’ve stepped into another world, surreal and unreal.
Among the attractions is the artificial salt lake, a natural masterpiece – the Mangnai Phytolite Lake.
Mangnai Phytolite Salt Lake.
This salt lake consists of smaller lakes interconnected. They vary in width and depth, featuring an incredibly unique shape.
In July, the Mangnai Phytolite Lake appears like a magnificent oil painting, resembling an emerald gem dropped on the vast Gobi Desert, attracting many tourists who drive in to take photos.
Mangnai Phytolite Lake is the third largest artificial magnesium sulfate salt lake in Qinghai Province, covering an area of over 26 km2. It produces potassium, magnesium, lithium, and other high-quality elements. Due to the layers of salt interlaced with the lake’s light green, emerald, and deep blue water, crystal-clear and reflecting the sky above, the salt lake appears to glow blue. Thus, it is named Phytolite.
In tranquility, you will feel that this place is simply a perfectly sculpted work of art. When the wind blows, the lake surface ripples gently, resembling an imperfect scenic painting of Jiangnan waters, yet still beautiful, with a hint of the dreamlike quality of a fairyland.
Erboliang Museum (Nga Bác Lương) features Yadan stone pillar artworks.
On the outskirts of Mangnai City lies Erboliang (Nga Bác Lương), a fantasy museum existing in a uniquely rugged terrain. The stone pillars worn down by wind and time in this harsh yet mineral-rich area are called Yadan. This collection of Yadan “artworks” forms a museum entirely crafted by Mother Nature – Erboliang.
Once you set foot here, you may easily lose your sense of direction; even with a compass, it can be challenging to determine North from South. This place is often likened to Mars, where everything appears strangely unreal.
Thus, Erboliang is also known as “Devil’s City,” one of the top 100 “most beautiful photo spots” in Qinghai as selected by “National Geographic China.”
The Black Poison Mountain partially lies within the area of Mangnai City, showcasing a unique landscape in Qinghai Province.
Mangnai may seem lonely, dull, and dangerous to many. Yet, it is a beautiful city full of intrigue for those who love exploration and enjoy natural scenery.
Although it is located in a desolate and barren place, Mangnai still has a fairly busy flow of traffic; the transportation is not overly modern but is considered convenient.
Although many tourist spots have become commercialized, the pristine natural beauty of Mangnai has attracted a large number of tourists. The journey to this place is arduous, but the rewards are entirely worthwhile.
So, do you want to experience the feeling of being on “Mars” in Mangnai?
- Why are mangoes and jackfruits scattered all over the streets, but no Chinese dares to eat them?
- The unique formation of Zhuge Liang that helped resist 100,000 troops: Only one person can decipher it?
- The most tragic creature: It took 300 million years to climb onto land, but the journey ended up on the dining table
