In pics: Magnificent Emerald Lake in NW China's Qinghai

Tourists take pictures at Emerald Lake in Dachaidan town, Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Qinghai Province. (People's Daily Online/Kuang Yu)

Emerald Lake is located in Dachaidan town, Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Qinghai Province. Situated on the northern edge of the Qaidam Basin, the lake owes its striking emerald-green color to its mineral-rich waters. Under the sunlight, its shimmering surface resembles scattered glass and jade, making the lake appear like a green gem set deep in the Gobi Desert.

Emerald Lake consists of salt pools of various sizes and shapes. Due to the presence of elements such as potassium, magnesium, lithium, and halides, the water appears in different hues. These crystal-clear pools sparkle under the sunlight like pieces of jade, standing in stark contrast to the surrounding desert and creating a scene of otherworldly beauty that attracts countless visitors.