The Gray-White Majesty: Discovering Zhaling Lake at the Yellow River's Source

The "Gray-White" Reservoir of the Plateau

Zhaling Lake, known in Mongolian as the "Gray-White Long Lake," is a magnificent high-altitude freshwater body located in the western part of Madoi County, Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. Sitting at an elevation significantly higher than Qinghai Lake, it serves as the first major reservoir for the headwaters of the Yellow River. The river flows into the lake from the Starry Sea (Xingxiuhai) and is captured by the natural barriers of the Bayan Har Mountains and the Cuoerduoze Mountains. Covering an area of approximately 526 square kilometers, Zhaling Lake is characterized by its vast, shimmering surface that often reflects a milky or gray-white hue due to its specific mineral content and light conditions.

A Mirror of Ancient History

Historically known as "Baihai" during the Tang Dynasty, Zhaling Lake is a site of immense cultural significance. In 641 AD, Princess Wencheng passed through this rugged terrain on her way to marry the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo. It is said that the king personally met the princess near these "Sister Lakes" (Zhaling and its twin, Ngoring Lake), making it a landscape of royal memory and historical union. Today, the lake remains a sacred destination for Tibetan pilgrims who perform circumambulations (Kora) along its shores, leaving Mani stones and prayer flags as testaments to their enduring faith.

The Heart of Sanjiangyuan National Park

1.As a core component of the Sanjiangyuan: National Park, Zhaling Lake is an ecological fortress. The surrounding high-altitude wetlands and alpine meadows provide a pristine habitat for some of the world's rarest highland species. Visitors can observe black-necked cranes, bar-headed geese, and ruddy shelducks nesting in the marshes. On the expansive plains, herds of Tibetan wild asses (Kiang), Tibetan gazelles, and the iconic wild yaks roam freely. The lake serves as a "water tower" that regulates the flow of the Yellow River, sustaining life for thousands of miles downstream.

The Guardian of the Source: Niu Tou Bei

2.Overlooking the vast blue expanse is the Cow: Head Monument (Niu Tou Bei), situated atop Cuoxiga Mountain between the two source lakes. From this vantage point, travelers can witness the spectacular "Twin Lakes" panorama, where the winding veins of the Yellow River connect the silver waters of Zhaling and the deep blues of Ngoring. The monument, inscribed by masters in both Tibetan and Chinese, stands as a spiritual anchor, marking the origin of one of the world's greatest civilizations. To visit Zhaling Lake is to stand at the threshold of nature’s raw power, where the earth meets the sky in a symphony of silence and light.