Dachaidan Emerald Lake Tourism Area

大柴旦翡翠湖景区

Qinghai, Haixi·36.7054°N, 101.4285°E

Ticket Price

CNY 60 (peak season), CNY 40 (off-season)

Duration

2-3 hours

About Dachaidan Emerald Lake Tourism Area

A chain of turquoise and emerald salt lakes left by a former mining area in the Qaidam Basin, their vivid mineral colors contrasting with white salt flats and desert hills.

Highlights

• Series of turquoise and emerald salt lakes in a former mining area. • Vivid colored pools against white salt and desert hills. • Popular drone/photo stop on the G315 loop.

Suggested Route

Gate → boardwalk to the main emerald pools → photo points; allow 1.5–2 h.

Food & Lodging

Dachaidan town snacks and hotels 10 min away.

Facilities

Parking, restrooms, boardwalks, shuttle; strong sun, little shade.

Travel Tips

Wear comfortable walking shoes. Bring water and sun protection in summer. Check weather conditions before visiting.

📅 Best Time & Crowds

Best season: June-September

🏮Golden Week alert: May 1-5 and Oct 1-7 are China's biggest travel peaks — top attractions sell out days ahead. Book tickets the moment they open.

⏰Many museums and palaces close on Mondays (e.g. Forbidden City, National Museum). Plan around it.

Location

View on interactive map →

View Trip →

💱

Book Tickets & Tours

Trip.com

Hotels, tickets & tours

Klook

Tickets & experiences

Buying tickets as a foreign visitor

• Most 5A/4A sites require real-name registration — bring your passport.

• Tickets often must be booked in advance online — peak season & holidays sell out quickly.

• Some remote or border-area sites have entry restrictions for foreign visitors — check before you travel.

External booking links. Prices may vary.

Some links are affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only link to platforms travelers actually use.

Opening Hours

08:00-17:00 (last entry 16:00)

Getting There

In Dachaidan Administrative Zone, Haixi, Qinghai, ~10 km northwest of Dachaidan Town (off S307); self-drive from Golmud (~190 km) or Dunhuang; nearest airport Golmud (~190 km); no metro/HSR.

Reservation

Ticketed (~50-60 RMB, incl. shuttle); tickets via 'Dachaidan Wenlv' WeChat / OTA; no mandatory advance booking, but advised in peak season.

Ticket Price

CNY 60 (≈ $8.3) (peak season), CNY 40 (≈ $5.6) (off-season)

📍 中文地址 / Chinese Address

大柴旦翡翠湖景区

36.7054, 101.4285

Amap ↗Apple Maps ↗Google Maps ↗

Tip: Google Maps may be inaccurate in China — use Amap for navigation.