The Tears of the Gobi: Tosun Lake, the Salty Half of the "Lover's Lakes"

The Salty Sister of the Desert

1.Located in the vast: Gobi desert southwest of Delingha City in the Haixi Mongol and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Tosun Lake forms one half of a miraculous geological duo. Along with its neighbor Keluke Lake, they are famously known as the "Sister Lakes" or "Lover's Lakes" (Lianren Hu). Despite being connected by a small river and situated in the same basin, the two lakes possess diametrically opposite characters. While Keluke Lake is a freshwater lake teeming with reeds and fish, Tosun Lake is a typical inland saltwater lake. It sits in the desolate wilderness, its waters rich in minerals, creating a stark, barren beauty that contrasts sharply with the vitality of its sister lake.

A Study in Contrasts

2.The connection between Keluke and Tosun: Lake is a fascinating hydrological phenomenon. The freshwater from Keluke Lake flows into Tosun Lake through a connecting river, but because Tosun Lake has no outlet, the water evaporates in the arid desert climate, leaving behind salt and minerals. This process has turned Tosun into a saline lake where few plants grow, and the shores are lined with salt crusts and gravel. The visual contrast is striking: one lake is lush and green, while the other is vast, blue, and desolate. This duality makes the area a unique destination for travelers seeking to understand the diverse landscapes of the Qaidam Basin.

The Mystery of the "Alien Ruins"

Tosun Lake is perhaps best known internationally for the mysterious Baigong Mountain located on its shore. Here, visitors can find the so-called "Alien Ruins" (Waixingren Yizhi). This site features a triangular cave and strange, rusty iron-like pipes that penetrate deep into the mountain and stretch into the lake. The origins of these "pipes" have sparked numerous theories and debates, ranging from ancient tree fossils to extraterrestrial visitations. Standing by the salty waters of Tosun Lake, looking at the desolate red cliffs of Baigong Mountain, adds a layer of sci-fi mystery to the natural grandeur of the Gobi.

A Journey to the End of the World

3.Visiting Tosun: Lake offers a sense of solitude that is hard to find elsewhere. The lake is surrounded by the endless Gobi desert and distant sand dunes. Unlike the developed tourist facilities often found at freshwater lakes, Tosun Lake remains relatively wild. The wind here is often strong, whipping up waves on the salty surface, creating a sound that echoes the emptiness of the plateau. It is a place for introspection, photography, and marveling at the raw, unpolished beauty of nature. The journey from the lush banks of Keluke to the salty shores of Tosun is like traveling from a garden to the surface of another planet.