Chakayan Lake

Directions of Getting There

Xining West railway station

Ride shuttle to Chaka Village 茶卡镇 (80-100 CNY), it will take around 4 hours.

Xinning Road Passenger Transport Terminal 新寧路客運站 (6km from Xining West railway station) also provide shuttle to Chaka Salt Lake. It departs at 12:00 noon everyday, takes 5 hour ride and costs 60 CNY.  If you miss this bus, take the shuttle going to Ulan County 乌兰县, the shuttle will stop by Chaka Village on the way. It will take 6 hours for 70 CNY)

Chaka Salt Lake is located 5km from Chaka Village, you could hire a car, cycle or walk along.

If you would like to hire a car, it costs around 400-500 CNY per day, and to tour Chaka Salt Lake and Qinghai Lake would take 2-3 days in total.

Packing for Chaka Salt Lake Trip

Apart from the basic necessities, pack

• sunglasses
• sunscreen / hats

with you. Salt Lake is nearly all-white. Protect yourself from the sun.

In Chakayan Lake

There is a small train going to the center of lake for 35-50 CNY, but it will stop servicing in winter.

If you are going in summer, the guesthouses in Chaka Village have to be pre-ordered before 1 month.

The nearest place to stay near Chakayan Lake will be around Heimahe Xiang 黑马河乡. View Qinghai Lake sunrise at Heimahe Xiang and sunset at Chakayan Lake.