Qaidam Basin

　　Guide     The Qaidam Basin is situated deep within the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, surrounded by the Altun Mountains, the Qilian Mountains, and the Kunlun Mountains. Nestled in a crescent-shaped valley formed by mountain ranges and plateaus with an average elevation of over 4,000 meters, the basin contains more than 5,000 saltwater lakes, the largest of which is Qinghai Lake covering an area of 1,600 square kilometers.        Introduction      The Qaidam Basin is world-renowned for its yardang landforms, which have been shaped by wind erosion. The basin is also rich in both salt and mineral resources, earning it the nickname “the Basin of Wealth.” At the same time, it lies within a desert region prone to fierce winds. During the rainy seasons in spring and autumn, strong winds prevail. However, these winds are blocked by the western Kunlun Mountains, causing them to change direction and reduce in speed, resulting in the deposition of numerous pebbles and sand particles in this strip-like region. Overall, the Qaidam Basin presents a desert landscape. Its central area is covered with rubble eroded from surrounding mountains, as well as gravel and sand carried by the wind.

　　    The western part of the Qaidam Basin is a barren wasteland. Although long-distance buses pass through here every few days, no passengers get off, as the area consists only of saltwater, highly alkaline soil, and a harsh climate. On sunny days, the weather is extremely hot, while it becomes bitterly cold when the sun is hidden. No one is willing to stay here for long, let alone make it their home.     

　　 Golmud, Qinghai