Jiangling Isuzu Explores Qaidam: Into the Last Wilderness to Visit the Plateau Spirits

A Journey Through Qaidam  A Lifetime Bond with Qaidam

Qaidam is a plateauinlandbasin, itsentireterritory lies within Haixi Prefecture, Qinghai,and is an enclosedregion surrounded by mountain ranges such as the Kunlun Mountains, Altun Mountains, and Qilian Mountains.It stretches about 800 km from east to west and about,connects the Kunlun600and Qilian Mountains, spanning roughly300,000square kilometers. The broader Qaidam region covers an area ofover 300,000square kilometers. Known as the"Treasure Basin,"Qaidamencompassesglaciers,snow-capped mountains,cliffs,canyons,yardangs,anddanxia landforms.、alpine meadows、wetlands、inland rivers、saltwater lakes、freshwater lakes、deserts、gobi deserts、grasslandsand other landforms, which are abundant and diverse, rich in a wide variety of flora and fauna. As most of these areas are uninhabited or unsettled,they harbor many lesser-known, spectacular natural landscapes.

The “Explore Qaidam” themed eventis a series oftourism resource promotional initiativeslaunched by thePublicity Department and the Tourism Bureau of Haixi Prefecture.Based in Haixi Prefecture, Qinghai,Qinghai, the event focuses on the little-known natural resources, mountainoutdoorsports resources,TravelDevelop resources, conduct route exploration, surveys, experiences, and record activities. During the route scoutingphase,theteammembers recorded the geographical features,natural phenomena,

climate characteristics, cultural traits, and the status of flora and fauna along the routes in real time through photos, videos, and text, achieving comprehensive scientific understanding of the trails.

The journey covered a total distance of 3,560 kilometers, during which animal populations such as wild asses, yaks, blue sheep, Tibetan antelope, red deer, Tibetan foxes, wolves, marmots, white-lipped deer, swans, geese, ruddy shelducks, seagulls, grey cranes, golden eagles, falcons, sea eagles, and dozens of bird species were documented in the Kunlun Mountains, Qilian Mountains, and Haixi Qaidam region. A large number of scenic images, primarily around Lake Hala and the Water-Forest Danxia landform cluster, were also captured along the way.[Edit][Delete]Coordinated and organized by the Haixi Outdoor Sports Association, with Jiangxi Isuzu D-MAX and mu-X providing off-road vehicle services for the activity.This “Explore Qaidam” activity also received strong support from TUTU Outdoor Chain, Nubia Mobile, Geek Tour, and the Aerospace 704 Institute. Notably, when using diesel-powered off-road vehicles at high altitudes in winter, the Isuzu mu-X and D-MAX could start normally at an altitude of 4,600 meters, temperatures as low as -20°C, and atmospheric pressure of 630 hPa, ensuring the successful completion of the mission.

On November 2, the convoy entered the Qilian Mountains to visit the Earth’s Last Tear—Lake Hala. The altitude gradually increased from Delingha to 4,300 meters in the heart of the Qilian Mountains. The roads were winding, and team members, experiencing varying degrees of altitude sickness, frequently photographed the wildlife appearing on both sides of the road, marveling at the rugged wilderness. Lake Hala lies beneath the main peak of the Qilian Mountains, Sulule Mountain, at an elevation of 4,100 meters. Its pristine wilderness remains intact, with the azure lake reflecting the Gangze Wujie Snow Mountain, while wispy clouds drift majestically across the sky, soothing the devout souls by the lakeside. The night was spent camping in Xuju Gorge at an altitude of 3,800 meters. With a canyon temperature of -18°C, the sounds of red deer calling out and wolves howling throughout the night seemed like protests and warnings against our intrusion into their territory. The night in the no-man's-land belongs to the stars—untainted by light pollution, the vast starry sky captured by photographers’ lenses was incredibly beautiful. Towering cliffs, never before revealed to the public, stood under the starlight echoing with the roars of animals. Xuju Gorge is like a maiden in her boudoir, her long hair cascading down, her beauty unknown—just as stunning as the Alps and as majestic as McKinley. Herds of blue sheep and red deer witnessed our highland journey. At 4 a.m., continuous wolf howls kept everyone awake. Rising early with the dawn, the team crawled out of their sleeping bags. After warming up some milk and flatbread, they split into two groups to explore two pristine gorges in search of red deer and blue sheep. Just entering, they followed faint shepherd paths winding along the riverbed. In the valley, they had to find their own way forward. Vehicles leaned sideways on steep, winding slopes with loose gravel requiring careful navigation or detours. The whole journey involved constant maneuvering and bumping, with flying rocks from the rear wheels tumbling down the mountain, not without a few scares. The gorge scenery featured stunningly beautiful rock walls, but the drivers had no time to admire them, gripping the steering wheels tightly without daring to make any mistakes—thrilling, yet ultimately safe.

In the gorges, eagles soared and sparrows perched, pheasants flew and rabbits darted, while mammals on the hillsides either played in groups or paired up, watching us intruders from a distance. The photographers seized the moment to set up their long and short lenses, capturing the graceful postures and playful expressions of these elusive creatures.

To photograph bird migration and living conditions, we had to enter wetlands. On November 4, we chose the Bailan Tan Wetland of the Qaidam Bayin River for our shoot. Covering about 1,200 square kilometers, the Bailan Tan Wetland is a gathering place for geese, swans, black-necked cranes, ruddy shelducks, and seagulls. Leaving the gravel road, we ventured into the overgrown mossy marsh. Due to the dry season, groundwater levels were low, and the grassland was fairly solid, although there were occasional vehicle get-stuck situations—all resolved through teamwork. A morning of shooting revealed various flocks of birdsthrough the lens. Although photographers didn’t capture swans, they did photograph the rare endangered sea eagle.

The JiangxiIsuzu fleet followed a route that also traced the path of Russian explorer Przhevalsky over 100 years ago—including the Dulan Qaidam River Wetland Grassland, the Burhanbuda Mountains of the Kunlun Range, and Alake Lake. These areas feature high mountains and deep valleys, broad river valleys, complex and ever-changing roads, with the highest points reaching around 4,600 meters. When constructing the Qinghai-Tibet Highway in the 1950s, this area was initially chosen as the route through Hoh Xil, but due to the treacherous terrain, it was eventually abandoned. Dulan is the most important historical post along the Qinghai Route of the Silk Road and served as the capital of the Tuyuhun Kingdom, the ancient city of Bailan. It boasts a rich history and cultural heritage. The Nuomuhong Culture within its borders dates back 24,000 years, and Nuomuhong Qaidam Goji Berries are well known. The currently popular story “The Nine-Storey Demon Tower” is adapted from the true story of tomb-raiding in the Rehot Ancient Tomb Cluster of Dulan County. It is often said that beyond the Kunlun Mountains lies their origin, and in Dulan alone, the Kunlun Range stretches over 400 kilometers—it is among the most vital cradles of Chinese civilization and the birthplace of Kunlun mythology. This exploration isn't a cultural journey, for the vast Kunlun cannot be summed up in a day, so we’ll touch on it briefly here. Turning back to our highland spirits—in the vast lands of Dulan County, there exists a large population of wildlife species, which could be called“China’s African Savanna.”From November 5–7, the Isuzu fleet entered the Kunlun Mountains, Qaidam River Valley, Alake Lake Alpine Meadows, Balong Gorge, Rehot Gorge, Gouli Gorge, Nuomuhong Wetland, and Beike Liang. Along the way, they conducted surveys and captured numerous images of precious wildlife including blue sheep, Tibetan antelope, wild asses, vultures, eagles, falcons, and hawks. In Balong Gorge, they spotted herds of over a hundred red deer and blue sheep, leaving the photographers in awe of the wonders of the mighty Kunlun.

On November 8, the Isuzu fleet arrived at Xitijianai’er in the western Qaidam Gobi Yardang region—the world’s only water-based Yardang landform cluster, known as the “Thousand Island Lake” of the west. Formed after the artificial diversion of the Nalinggele River enlarged Xitijianai’er Lake, submerging part of the Yardang cluster, the water-covered Yardangs shimmer with ripples, reflect the lake, and echo with duck calls. The uniquely spectacular scenery stunned photographers who had traveled the world, all insisting on staying overnight by Xitijianai’er Lake for an immersive shoot. The night sky glittered with stars, the Milky Way stretched vast and deep, ducks called out, green tents dotted the landscape, and the reflections of Yardangs danced under the starlight. The photographers stayed up all night recording this magical moment. At dawn, hundreds of thousands of ruddy shelducks descended upon the lake, densely packed and flying in great numbers—an awe-inspiring spectacle.

On November 10, the convoy headed west to Lenghu Administrative Committee. Lenghu is the only place in China with no agriculture or animal husbandry, no farmers or herders. It is also the most desolate place in western China, the birthplace of the Qaidam Spirit in the last century, and where the first oil well was painstakingly drilled after the founding of New China. A popular saying from the 1960s described it as: “No birds in the sky, no grass on the ground, stones blown by the wind, girls never bathe.”

The Ebo Liang Yardang cluster lies 60 kilometers west of Lenghu, encompassing over 10,000 square kilometers of contiguous Yardang landforms formed by the uplift of the Tibetan Plateau 200 million years ago and the continuous wind erosion of an ancient seabed from 700,000 to 1 million years ago. Due to the inaccessibility of the no-man’s-land, this area is little known to the outside world. Over 100 years ago, Sven Hedin crossed the Kunlun Mountains into Mangya, eventually bypassing the Altyn Tagh Mountains to exit Dunhuang—the vast Yardang Gobi barrier that blocked his eastward journey.

The Ebo Liang Yardang landforms are majestic and towering, with earthen towers rising high. Sometimes sand and wind rage, sometimes clouds gather, and sometimes all is still as if in meditation. At sunrise, golden rays spill forth in spectacular grandeur.……The Yardangs here are eerily diverse in shape—resembling lions, tigers, monkeys, elephants, immortals, and generals……among countless others. Being there, one can’t help but marvel at nature’s incredible craftsmanship.

The volunteers participating in this activity were allseasonedPhotographers were gathered nationwide by the China Digital Photography Association. Over ten grueling days, they braved low temperatures, thin air, sleepless nights, and long-distance travel, enduring hardships and pouring in sweat to produce a collection of outstanding works that showcase the stunning natural and cultural landscapes of the Qaidam region in Haixi Prefecture.This event received strong support from Sina, LeEco, Beijing TV,Green Field Outdoor Network,Geek Travel, and China Outdoor Network, among others. Our heartfelt thanks to all of them.

Haixi Prefecture Tourism Bureau, Haixi Prefecture Outdoor Sports Association

November 13, 2015