China's Version of Antelope Canyon Discovered in Golmud, Hidden in the Mysterious Kunlun Mountains, Formed by Millions of Years of Nature

Canyons are the result of a long game between great rivers and high mountains, beautiful scars on the earth formed over millions of years. When we traverse through the towering cliffs of the canyon and wander into the utopian scenery like the center of the earth, we cannot help but marvel at the uncanny workmanship of nature. They are like symphonies on the earth, some majestic, some infinitely tender.

There are many canyons in the world, such as the Grand Canyon in Arizona, the Colorado Grand Canyon in the United States, the Verdon Gorge in France, the Aare Gorge in Switzerland, the Cotahuasi Canyon in Peru, as well as the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River, the Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon, the Kuqa Grand Canyon, and the Wulingshan Great Rift Valley in China. All are scars of the earth and desirable travel destinations.

The canyons mentioned above are either famous for their scale or for their grandeur. However, some canyons are not large in scale but are equally world-renowned and desirable. For example, the Antelope Canyon in the United States, only 400 meters long, is a dream destination for many. But for Chinese people, the Antelope Canyon in the US is too far away. So, does China have a similar landscape? Of course it does, but many are hidden in the mountains and little known.

The Kunlun Mountains Grand Canyon in Golmud, Qinghai, is such a canyon. Not many people know about it, and it is not even marked on maps. For now, there is no management and no entry fee is required (though a scenic area gate has already been built, and it may become a regular tourist attraction in the near future). It can be said to be a pristine ancient canyon.

The Kunlun Mountains Grand Canyon is located in Golmud City, Haixi Prefecture, Qinghai Province, near the 2812-kilometer mark of the Qinghai-Tibet Highway (G109 National Road), about 15 kilometers off the main road via a small path. The surrounding area is vast Gobi desert, rarely visited by humans. If it had not been accidentally discovered by a geological exploration team a few years ago, it would probably still be unknown, truly a hidden gem unrecognized.

Now, the Kunlun Mountains Grand Canyon has been included as part of the Kunlun Mountains World Geopark. It contains several wonders, including the Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, and Snow Mountain Canyon. Among them, the Grand Canyon is about 12 kilometers long, most suitable for off-road surfing, which Yu Fan has already introduced in a previous article. The Antelope Canyon lies inside the Grand Canyon, about 800 meters long, and its landscape is quite similar to the beautiful Antelope Canyon, even larger and longer than the American one.

The Antelope Canyon in the Kunlun Mountains Grand Canyon combines grandeur, danger, tranquility, seclusion, and mystery. It is winding and twisting. When looking up, it appears like a sliver of sky. Sometimes sunlight shines into the canyon, creating ever-changing light and shadow effects. Different times of day produce different effects, making it very beautiful, especially suitable for wide-angle photography.

According to local friends, the Kunlun Mountains Grand Canyon scenic area is under development. Perhaps in the near future, visitors can experience off-road motorcycles, self-driving four-wheel off-road vehicles, horseback riding, hiking, canyon rafting, star camping and other activities in the canyon. However, it is worth noting that if the weather is bad, it is best not to enter the canyon. Because the mountain body of the Antelope Canyon is extremely dry and hard, with poor water absorption. The swift currents and the sand and stones carried along are almost unstoppable, and there is no place to take shelter, making it very dangerous.