Qarhan Lake contains over 50 billion tons of sodium chloride (table salt), enough to provide for 6 billion people around the world for 1,000 years.
When mentioning Qinghai (a province in Northwest China), many are likely impressed by the fact that it is home to over 100 large and small salt lakes that attract numerous tourists. The tranquil, pristine salt lakes resemble enormous mirrors reflecting the sky above, creating a magnificent landscape akin to an endless parallel world.
Tranquil salt lakes resembling giant mirrors.
However, what you might not know is that deep within the Qaidam Basin (internationally known as Qaidam or Tsaidam, which covers an area of approximately 120,000 km², a quarter of which is covered by saltwater lakes and dry lakes) lies the largest salt lake in China – Qarhan Lake.
Qaidam Basin.
Highway running through the Qaidam Basin.
The Largest Salt Lake in China
In Mongolian, “Qarhan” means “the world of salt”.
Qarhan Lake spans a total area of 5,856 km² and is home to other salt lakes such as Dabuxun Lake, Hulsan Lake South, and Hulsan Lake North, along with tributaries from the Golmud River and Qaidam River.
Qarhan Lake is the largest salt lake in China and is also one of the most famous inland salt lakes in the world. The continuous evaporation of water leads to the formation of salt crystals on the lake’s surface. The Qinghai-Tibet railway and the Qinghai-Tibet highway are built on this salt platform.
Salt platform in Qarhan Lake.
On Qarhan Lake, there is a 32 km railway and highway that runs across it. This road is often referred to as the “Salt Bridge” floating on the vast salt lake.
Qarhan Lake contains over 50 billion tons of sodium chloride (table salt), enough to supply 6 billion people around the world for 1,000 years. Furthermore, the area produces famous carnallite. This crystal-clear mineral sparkles under the sunlight, making it extremely eye-catching. Carnallite is used for exquisite handicrafts and interior decorations.
White and red carnallite.
Qarhan Lake – Where Earth and Sky Unite
Lake surface reflecting the sky.
The area surrounding the salt lake is as flat as an endless desert, creating an extremely unique landscape. Viewed from above, the salt fields appear like gigantic shimmering fish scales neatly layered upon one another. Unfortunately, there are no green trees here, no fish in the water, and not a single bird in the sky. It is all just a quiet expanse imbued with a salty scent.
The salt platform on the lake can support a great load, allowing cars and trains to pass through. Airplanes can also land on this salt platform, and it is even feasible to build houses and workshops here. The Qinghai-Tibet highway and railway, which cross the salt lake, are 32 km long, respectively known as “the Salt Bridge” and “the Iron Rainbow”.
Although Qarhan Lake is not a habitat for trees and animals, it produces beautiful gemstones, known as “salt flowers”. These grow amidst the vast salt fields.
Phenomenon of “salt flowers” at Qarhan Lake.
Salt flowers are a crystallization state of salt after the evaporation of water. Depending on the concentration of sodium chloride in the water, the formation time and hardness of the salt flowers can vary.
The salt flowers crystallizing in Qarhan Lake resemble pearls and corals, shimmering in layers, making the place even more magnificent like a fairyland. This is also why Qarhan Lake attracts over ten thousand tourists each year, despite the challenging road conditions and climate for sightseeing.
Imagine standing on the “Salt Bridge” of Qinghai-Tibet, surrounded by the clear, calm lake reflecting the blue sky; you feel as if you are immersed in an endless world, with no discernible shore, experiencing a miraculous sensation that it is hard to believe it is real.
