China’s “Sky Mirror” Reopens with a 27-Meter Observation Deck for Breathtaking Views

China’s “Sky Mirror,” Qinghai’s Chaka Salt Lake—ranked among the “55 Places to Go Before You Die” by National Geographic Traveler—has recently reopened. (Photo/Xinhua)

The crystallized salt layer on the surface of Chaka Salt Lake reflects shimmering light, creating the illusion of a “sky mirror.” (Photo/Xinhua)

Ranked among the “55 Places to Go Before You Die” by National Geographic Traveler, China’s “Sky Mirror”—Qinghai’s Chaka Salt Lake—has recently reopened ahead of schedule after renovation. The site has upgraded its salt lake boardwalks and waterfront platforms, and has constructed a new 27-meter-high observation deck. This allows visitors to take in panoramic views of the lake area from above, as well as to admire the boundless beauty of the “Sky Mirror” from various angles by taking a small train or a cruise on the lake.

Located at an altitude of 3,100 meters in Qinghai, China, Chaka Salt Lake—“Chaka” means “salt pond” in Tibetan—was once a key stop along the ancient Silk Road and a necessary route into Tibet and Xinjiang. Covering an area of 105 square kilometers, the salt-crystal-covered lake surface reflects the blue sky and snow-capped mountains, creating a stunning “sky mirror” effect. In recent years, it has attracted millions of visitors eager to witness a spectacle comparable to Bolivia’s Uyuni Salt Flats—the world’s largest and highest salt flat—but the overwhelming number of tourists led to facility overload and a temporary closure for renovation.

The lake area reopened to visitors yesterday (29th), gearing up for the upcoming May Day holiday rush. Entry is now on a paid basis, with ticket prices adjusted from 50 RMB to 70 RMB. The site has upgraded its core salt lake area, widened the salt lake boardwalks and boat docks, and offers visitors the chance to tour the lake via small train, cruise ship, or electric vehicle. A new 27-meter-high elevator-accessed observation deck has also been built, with a top-level capacity of 90 people, providing sweeping views of the entire salt lake landscape.