Demon's Eye Aiken Spring | 2021 Qinghai In-Depth Travel Guide! Recommend to Save
Aiken Spring is located in Mohe'erbuluke Village, Huatugou Town, Mangya City, Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province. It is known as the "Eye of the Earth" and the "Demon's Eye". Aiken Spring has a diameter of over 10 meters. The spring eye resembles boiling water, constantly churning and surging upward. Over time, sulfur minerals around the spring eye have accumulated, creating a colorful display. Viewed from above, the area around the spring eye, due to years of sulfur deposition, forms diverse and beautiful patterns, showcasing the breathtaking craftsmanship of nature.
I call it the "Eye of the Drone" because only by using a drone can one capture its beauty. From an aerial perspective, the spring eye, the gushing water, and the deep red ring-like deposits on the surrounding land form a peculiar pupil shape, like an eye embedded in the earth. It takes about 20 minutes to walk from the scenic area entrance to the edge of Aiken Spring. The path is mostly flat grassland and wet grassland, so be sure to watch your step.
Best season: May to November (dry season in winter)
Location: About 25 km from Mangya (about 30 minutes by car)
Accommodation: Mangya city center; hotel rooms are very tight during peak season, so it is recommended to book in advance.
Best season: Suitable all year round
Location: About 300 km from Mangya (about 5 hours by car; be sure to set the navigation to departure point - Mars No. 1 Highway - Mars Camp)
Accommodation: The camp has capsule beds available, but conditions are very basic. It is recommended to stay in the nearest town, Lenghu, or at Water Yadan or Da Qaidam.
Ticket + sightseeing bus: 120 yuan. Attractions within the scenic area such as boat rides and desert motorcycles require separate fees.
Best season: April to November (freezes in winter)
Location: About 220 km from Da Qaidam (about 2.5 hours by car)
Accommodation: If conditions permit, you can stay here for one night. Accommodation options within the scenic area include hotels and tents, where you can enjoy the romantic starry sky at night. (Since accommodation is tight during peak season, it is recommended to stay near Da Qaidam.)
Unlike Mangya Emerald Lake, this area consists of many lakes of various sizes, each with different colors—blue, green, deep, and shallow.
Best season: May to November (dry season in winter)
Ticket: Currently not charged; expected to start charging after May Day 2021.
Location: About 12 km from Da Qaidam town (about 15 minutes by car)
Accommodation: Da Qaidam town
Best season: December to March (winter ice lake), July to August (grassland flower sea)
Ticket: There are various scenic spots around Qinghai Lake with different fees, ranging from 20 to 100 yuan.
Location: About 140 km from Xining city (about 2 hours by car)
Accommodation: Chaka town (if you want to watch the sunrise, you can stay in Heimabe, but conditions are poorer)
Day 1: Xining - Qinghai Lake - Chaka Salt Lake - Delingha
Day 2: Delingha - Internet-famous U-shaped Highway - Dongtai Jiner Lake - Water Yadan - Da Qaidam Emerald Lake - Da Qaidam
Day 3: Da Qaidam - Mars No. 1 Highway - Mars Camp - Mangya Emerald Lake - Mangya
Day 4: Mangya - Demon's Eye Aiken Spring - Golmud
Day 5: Golmud - Hoh Xil - Kunlun Mountain Pass - Golmud
Day 6: Golmud - Xining
1. The roads to Aiken Spring and Mars Camp are rough. If possible, it is recommended to travel by off-road vehicle (although there is less rain in the northwest, once it rains, even ordinary SUVs can easily get stuck);
2. The areas between scenic spots are mostly uninhabited, so be sure to bring enough drinking water and food;
3. This route is hard on the car and consumes a lot of fuel. Be sure to maintain your vehicle before departure;
4. The ultraviolet rays on the plateau are strong. It is recommended to bring sufficient sunscreen and moisturizing products;
5. Clothing can be bright and outdoor-style. Women can wear colorful long dresses or solid-color shorts, which look great in photos.
Travelogue Directory: 1. Mangya Aiken Spring, 2. Mangya Emerald Lake, 3. Mars Camp, 4. U-shaped Highway, 5. Water Yadan, 6. Dongtai Jiner Lake, 7. Xitai Jiner Lake, 8. Da Qaidam Emerald Lake, 9. Chaka Salt Lake, 10. Qinghai Lake, 11. Recommended Itinerary, 12. Tips: Travel Information, Hotel Index, Guide Index, Airfare Index, Website Navigation, Travel Index, Cruise Index, Corporate Travel Index, Alliance Cooperation, Distribution Alliance, Friendly Links, Corporate Gift Card Purchases, Insurance Agency, Agency Cooperation, Hotel Franchising, Destination and Scenic Area Cooperation, More Cooperation, About Ctrip, About Ctrip, Ctrip Hot Topics, Contact Us, Careers, User Agreement, Privacy Policy, Business License, Safety Center, Ctrip Content Center, Intellectual Property, Trip.com Group Algorithm Announcement
