Chaka Salt Lake Travel Guide

Originally the Chaka Salt Lake (Chaka yanhu) was part of the ocean in primordial times, and it was formed during the intense crust activity that resulted in the formation of the largest plateau in the world, the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

The Chaka (meaning the sea of salt in Mongolian language) Salt Lake covers an area of 105 square kilometers, and it is a typical chloride salt lake. The salt from Chaka is sold in 20 provinces and cities, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, as well as in Japan and Nepal, and the Middle East.


The highlight of the lake is its reflective surfaces, that mirror the passing clouds, the distant mountains and the nomad´s tents and herds that can be found all around the area. Tourists can take the train to the salt farm, watching the mining of salt, and admiring various salt crystals in the shape of pearls, corals, snowflakes, and mushrooms.