Visiting the pure land of the high plateau, known as the 'gateway to heaven', with breathtaking scenery yet few tourists

Busy and bustling, we've already reached the end of March, and in the blink of an eye, it's the most beautiful April on earth. As a new month is about to begin, I want to not waste the springtime, not waste myself, to encounter beauty, to stumble upon surprises along the journey... Due to special circumstances, many travel plans were shelved, and finally, my long-awaited trip came true on the last day of March. I held my first plane ticket of the year and headed to Golmud, a hidden gem known as the 'gateway to heaven'.

We often hear people describe travel like this: 'So-called tourism is just going from a place you're tired of living in to a place others are tired of living in.' These words seem shallow, but when I think about it, it does make some sense. However, I don't think it applies all the time. Take Golmud, for example. I believe that those who have been there will find it unforgettable, and they will never tire of seeing it...

Golmud is located in the hinterland of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. It is the third-largest city on the plateau and one of China's summer resorts. The name 'Golmud' is a Mongolian transliteration, meaning 'a place with dense rivers.' Three major highways—Qinghai-Tibet, Qinghai-Xinjiang, and Dunhuang-Golmud—converge here, making it a transit hub to Tibet and Xinjiang. For this reason, tourists also liken it to the crossroads leading to 'heaven.' Perhaps you may not know Golmud because it is low-key, but it is the city with the largest administrative area in the world. This city is very special. Unlike other cities with towering skyscrapers and neon lights, 90% of its land is desert or semi-desert Gobi. Yet, the scenery here is nothing short of magnificent and awe-inspiring.

Did you know? The Dongtai Jinaier Lake in Golmud is also the filming location for this year's hit movie 'A Little Red Flower'. It is the parallel world in Wei Yihang's dreams. Without going to the Maldives, you can still have an incredibly beautiful 'sea area.' The sky is azure blue, and the lake water under the sunlight appears even more clear and pure. Friends with insufficient camera storage will really miss out if they come here! Truly, every step reveals a stunning view. Even if the scenery doesn't appear in many shots, it's unforgettable and makes people yearn for it. I think this hidden gem will soon enter the public eye!

Those of us who have lived in cities for a long time should embark on a different kind of trip to see different landscapes. In Golmud, the noise is 'isolated,' the clutter dissipates in the wind, and the tangled thoughts seem so insignificant in the face of nature...

This trip to Golmud is a 5-day itinerary. The route is: Golmud—Nachitai Holy Spring—Wuji Dragon and Phoenix Palace—Queen Mother of the West's Jade Pool—Qarhan Salt Lake—Dongtai Jinaier Lake—Jiangjun Tower. Soon, I will begin my 5-day journey in Golmud and will share every bit of the trip, taking you all to appreciate the unique beauty of Golmud!