The Disappearance of Dongtai Jinaier Lake Remains a Mystery: Why Has China's Maldives Turned into a Desert Overnight?

Dongtai Jinaier Lake, a internet-famous scenic spot that swept the nation in a short time, is a plateau saltwater lake, yet its water resembles the sea. The blue that fills the pupils is closer to emerald green, a noble hue like the Tiffany gemstone that symbolizes happiness and romance. The soft, white lake shore is crystallized salt, as delicate as melted cheese, and many call it China's Maldives in the northwest.

In the past two years, traveling abroad has been inconvenient, and experiencing the beauty of the Maldives is not easy. But if you want to come to Qinghai to see Dongtai Jinaier Lake, you will also be deeply disappointed, because now Dongtai Jinaier Lake is beyond recognition. These photos were taken by Yufan a few days ago; as far as the eye can see, it is a desert. The legendary Dongtai Jinaier Lake is nowhere to be found.

It is understood that Dongtai Jinaier Lake falls under the jurisdiction of Golmud in the Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Qinghai Province. It borders the famous National Highway 315 to the north, 230 kilometers from Golmud city, about a three-hour drive. It is a super-large lithium deposit mainly composed of brine (liquid).

How did such a beautiful internet-famous lake disappear? There are two main versions among the public. One version is that this area has a typical inland arid climate, with more wind and little rain, long sunshine hours, and high water evaporation. The average annual evaporation is as high as 3560mm, while the average annual precipitation is only 21.9mm. It is precisely for this reason that the once-popular Dongtai Jinaier Lake turned into a desert.

Another claim is that Dongtai Jinaier Lake is not a natural lake but a mining area. It is a super-large lithium deposit dominated by brine. The lake's water supply mainly comes from the Nalinggele River under the Hotuopori Snow Mountain and Bukadaban Snow Mountain in the Kunlun Mountains. Water is artificially diverted to dilute the lithium ore. As for the reason for its disappearance, it is said that the mining area drained the lake water in June of last year, leaving it as it is today.

Regardless of the reason, when we see Dongtai Jinaier Lake like this, we can't help but sigh. First, we sigh at the fragility of the ecosystem here. The enviable paradise and the endless desert are often just a thought away. In such an environment, we all feel the insignificance of humanity and awe of nature.

Another feeling is that we should cherish the present, go see the scenery we like, and do what we want to do. Otherwise, missing it will be a regret. Just like Dongtai Jinaier Lake, you may have thought before that you would go see it when you have time, but when you do, perhaps the scenery you long for is already gone. Similar to Dongtai Jinaier Lake are the permanently closed Seda Larung Gar, the Sacred Elephant Gate, and the burned Notre-Dame de Paris.

Faced with this scene, Yufan could only launch his drone to take a set of photos as a souvenir of the visit. However, a few kilometers away, there seemed to be another lake. Perhaps it is still the beautiful Dongtai Jinaier Lake, or maybe it has just shrunk and not disappeared. But vehicles cannot drive in, and our time did not allow it. Everyone can only imagine the scene inside.