Qinghai G315 Highway Self-Driving Guide: Crossing the Qaidam Basin, Encountering the "Chinese Version of Route 66"

The G315 Highway offers diverse landscapes along the way, from desert yardangs to salt lake wonders, each with stunning visual impact, making it perfect for adventurous travelers and photographers. 1⃣️ Nanbaxian Devil City (Yardang Landform Cluster) Features: Known as "the place on Earth most resembling Mars," this area boasts a variety of wind-eroded yardangs with rich shapes, like a natural sculpture museum. Location: Along G315 Highway, near Dachaidan and Mangya. 2⃣️ Eboliang Yardang ("Martian Landscape") Features: One of China's largest yardang clusters, hailed as "the place on Earth most resembling Mars," with unique terrain ideal for aerial photography. Transport: Accessible via Mars No. 1 Highway; some sections are washboard roads, so a 4WD vehicle is recommended. 3⃣️ U-Shaped Highway (Viral Sky Road) Location: Between km 766-780 on G315 Highway, featuring steep slopes and strong visual impact, dubbed the "Chinese Version of Route 66." Safety Note: Due to heavy truck traffic and high speeds, taking photos in the middle of the road is prohibited. Shoot from the sand dunes on either side instead. 4⃣️ Xitai Jinair Lake (Two-Tone Lake) Features: G315 runs through the lake, where differences in salinity create a striking half-blue, half-green water effect, perfect for aerial shots. 5⃣️ Mangya Emerald Lake Features: A man-made salt lake with emerald-green waters contrasting sharply with white salt crystals, great for photography. Location: About 23 km from Mangya City, free to visit. 6⃣️ Aiken Spring (Devil's Eye) Features: A geothermal spring with high sulfur content, churning reddish-brown water that looks like a "devil's eye" from above. Note: A drone is needed to capture its full scale; the area has many mosquitoes. 7⃣️ Earth's Veins (Red River Valley) Features: A dried-up river valley with red sediment deposits, revealing its awe-inspiring form only when photographed from above by a drone. 8⃣️ Hoh Xil (Extended Attraction) - Though not directly on G315, it can be accessed from Golmud to the south, offering sightings of Tibetan antelopes and other wildlife. Travel Tips Best Season: May to October, when the weather is relatively mild. Transport: Self-driving or chartered vehicles are recommended. Some areas have no signal, so plan routes in advance. Safety Notes: Some zones are uninhabited—bring enough food, water, and fuel. Follow environmental rules and avoid driving into protected areas.