A Stroll Through Chaka Salt Lake, the Mirror of the Sky

At six in the morning, the cold wind in Qinghai still carries a biting chill. Departing from Xining and driving along the Beijing-Tibet Expressway for four hours, the scenery outside the window gradually transforms from urban buildings to a vast desert, finally coming to an abrupt halt in front of a snow-white salt marsh—Chaka Salt Lake has arrived. Standing on the shore, the scene before you is breathtaking. The salt lake, stretching for tens of kilometers, is like a giant mirror, completely reflecting the blue sky and white clouds. Barefoot on the salt crystals, the fine particles grind against the soles of your feet, and the icy lake water washes over your ankles. The little train rumbles along the century-old tracks, carrying tourists to the heart of the lake. There, the Queen Mother of the West statue, sculpted from salt, stands silently, telling the ancient legend of the "Qinghai Salt Sea." As the sun sets, the entire salt lake is dyed golden red, the boundaries between heaven and earth become blurred, and tourists become figures in a painting. The plateau sun is particularly harsh, and sunscreen should be reapplied every hour. The salt content of the lake water is extremely high, and any wounds on the skin will sting unbearably. It is recommended to bring wet wipes and clean water to rinse off promptly after playing. Red dresses are the most photogenic, but please do not use chemical dyes that damage the ecology. During peak season, the queue for the little train can take two hours. Consider walking along the tracks to experience a different kind of scenery. As the last ray of sunlight disappears on the horizon, the salt lake begins to shimmer. It is said that the salt crystals here contain various minerals that glow in the moonlight. Looking back at this salt marsh that has existed for three thousand years, I suddenly understand why the Tibetans call it the "Mirror of the Sky"—it not only reflects the appearance of the sky, but also reflects humanity's eternal yearning for nature. On the way home, I took a small bottle of salt grains, so that this purity will forever remain in my memory.