The Emerald Heart of the Sanjiangyuan: Discovering the Mystic Donggeicuona Lake

A Hidden Gem on the Roof of the World

1.Located in the heart of the: Qinghai-Tibet Plateau within Maduo County, Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Donggeicuona Lake is a pristine stone kingdom that remains relatively unknown to the average traveler. Also known as the "Black Sea" (Heihai), its Tibetan name translates to "a lake formed by many mountains," a fitting description for a body of water cradled by the rolling ridges of the plateau. Spanning approximately 253 square kilometers, it sits at an elevation of 4,117 meters, serving as the source of the Heihe River, a significant tributary of the Yellow River. As a core component of the Sanjiangyuan National Park, it represents one of the most untouched and ecologically vital landscapes in China.

The Visual Palette of Emerald and Crimson

The lake is renowned for its surreal and dramatic color contrast. Its waters are a deep, transparent emerald green, reflecting the high-altitude sun and changing shades based on the depth and light. On the southern bank, the landscape is defined by continuous red mountains, which glow with a fiery intensity during sunrise and sunset, creating a breathtaking "red mountain and green water" aesthetic. Along the shores, vast stretches of highland wetlands and golden alpine meadows soften the ruggedness of the stone ridges, turning the entire basin into a living oil painting.

A Sacred Sanctuary of Golog Culture

2.For the local: Tibetan people, Donggeicuona is not merely a geographical entity but a living spiritual sanctuary. Tibetan folklore suggests that the lake is the site of the Dragon King’s palace, and its surrounding peaks are considered divine protectors. Every year, pilgrims and nomadic herdsmen visit the lake to perform circumambulations (Kora) and offer prayers at the lakeside altars and Mani stone piles. This deep integration of religious faith and natural preservation has allowed the lake to remain a sanctuary of tranquility and sacredness for centuries.

A Thriving Ecosystem for Rare Wildlife

Donggeicuona Lake is a vital habitat for some of the plateau's most iconic wildlife. Visitors can often spot Tibetan wild asses (Kiang) and Tibetan gazelles grazing near the shore, while the wetlands provide nesting grounds for black-necked cranes, bar-headed geese, and ruddy shelducks. The absolute silence of the region is broken only by the calls of these birds and the whistling wind, offering a rare opportunity to connect with nature in its most primal state. At night, the absence of light pollution makes it one of the premier locations for stargazing, where the Milky Way reflects clearly on the lake's still surface.