Atlas of China
Chaka Salt Lake 茶卡盐湖Chákǎ Yánhú
A salt flat so still it turns into a mirror for the sky
- Best time
- May–Oct
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Days to budget
- 1 day
- Stay in
- Xining
- Region
- Qinghai
- Type
- Nature
- Listed as
- 4A scenic area
Why go to Chaka Salt Lake
Chaka is a salt lake on the Qinghai plateau, where a thin film of brine over white salt crust throws back near-perfect reflections of clouds and people on calm days. A little train runs out across the salt, and visitors wade in barefoot or in rented boots for the classic 'Mirror of the Sky' photographs.
The story
The name comes from the Tibetan for 'salt lake', and salt has been gathered here for centuries; working salt operations still sit beside the visitor area.
What to see at Chaka Salt Lake
- Small train 小火车: The old salt-hauling line now carries a little sightseeing train through the salt flat, with several photo stops along the way.
- Mirror of the Sky viewing platforms 天空之镜观景台: Wooden platforms and walkways reach out over the shallow brine, the classic place for 'mirror of the sky' reflection photographs on calm days.
- Salt sculptures 盐雕: Figures, birds, pagodas and walls carved from salt blocks stand beside the railway, including scenes from local salt legends and a figure of Genghis Khan.
- Chaka town 茶卡镇: The small town by the gate has a snack street and guesthouses, a handy base for sunrise or sunset.
How to visit Chaka Salt Lake
Ride the small train out across the flat and get off at the stops, or ride to the end and walk back past the salt sculptures; allow two to four hours. Bring snacks and water. Wear waterproof boots for the shallow brine and aim for the morning, before the wind rises.
How to get to Chaka Salt Lake
Chaka is about four hours' drive west of Xining, usually paired with Qinghai Lake on a two-day loop; in summer a tourist train from Xining also runs to Chaka station, by the entrance.
Where to stay
Chaka town, by the gate, has guesthouses and hotels, a sensible base for sunrise and sunset. Rooms are at about 3,100 m, so take it easy on arrival.
What to eat
- Roast lamb chops 烤羊排: Spiced, crisp-edged lamb chops grilled in Chaka town's restaurants.
- Yak yoghurt 牦牛酸奶: Thick local yoghurt, sold in snack street shops.
- Grilled lamb skewers 烤羊肉串: Cumin-dusted skewers grilled over charcoal, found at the town's snack stalls.
Tips for visiting Chaka Salt Lake
- Bring sunglasses; the glare off the salt is intense at 3,000 m.
- Wear or rent waterproof boots, as salt crystals are sharp and brine stings cuts.
- Reflections are best on still, sunny days, often in the morning before the wind rises.
Nearby
- Qinghai Lake 青海湖 100 km
China's largest lake: a high-altitude inland sea edged with yellow rapeseed
Also within 30 km: Chaka Yihao Salt Lake 茶卡壹号·盐湖 (under 10 km).
On the map
Open Chaka Salt Lake on the illustrated map to see the terrain around it, what else is close, and to add it to a trip and plan the days.
Open Chaka Salt Lake on the map