Longyang Lake in Gonghe County, Hainan

Longyang Lake (龙羊湖) is a large artificial freshwater lake formed by the impoundment of the Yellow River at the Longyangxia Hydropower Station. It is part of the Longyangxia Ecological Tourism Resort and is located in Longyangxia Town, Gonghe County, Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province. The lake sits at an elevation of 2,580 meters and covers a water area of 383 square kilometers. Here, the Yellow River takes on an emerald-green color, while red Danxia cliffs rise on one side and the Talatan Desert stretches along the other, creating a striking landscape where lake and desert meet. It is the core waterside area of Longyangxia.

Amap GCJ-02 coordinates (cruise terminal): 100.9100,36.1241

Best Time to Visit

🌿 Seasonal Travel Guide

June to September is the best period to visit, when the lake is emerald green, sightseeing cruises normally operate, and visitors can enjoy the dramatic canyon, lake, and desert landscapes. October brings crisp autumn weather and especially beautiful sunset light. From November to April of the following year, temperatures are very cold and most cruises are suspended, so sightseeing is generally limited to the lakeshore.

🌅 Best Time of Day

The usual visiting period is 08:30–19:00. From 16:00 to 19:00, the setting sun casts golden light across the lake, making this the best period for photography. Cruise schedules may be adjusted according to water levels and strong winds.

Transportation to Longyang Lake

🚗 Self-Driving

Navigate to Longyang Lake Scenic Area (Longyang Lake Pier). From Xining, the journey is approximately 147 km and takes about 2.5 hours. Ordinary cars can reach the area, and parking is available at the pier. Longyang Lake, Longyang Grand Canyon, and the Tulin Geological Park are more than ten kilometers apart, so visitors need to drive between these attractions.

🚌 Public Transportation

Buses from Xining can take visitors to Longyangxia Town, after which a taxi can be used to reach the scenic area. There is no internal public transportation system within the scenic area, so self-driving or hiring a private vehicle is recommended.

🚶 Getting Around the Scenic Area

The main pier area can be explored on foot along the lakeshore. The key activity is taking a Longyang Lake sightseeing cruise.

Core Scenic Highlights

🚢 Longyang Lake Cruise Route

The cruise travels into the Yellow River canyon, passing towering red Danxia cliffs on both sides. Along the route, visitors can also look toward the Longyangxia Dam and experience the high-gorge reservoir landscape from the water. The cruise can reach the desert on the western shore, where emerald lake water meets golden sand dunes. This spectacular scene of “one lake connected to the desert” is one of the area's signature landscapes. The upper deck offers the best panoramic views.

🌊 Longyang Lake Pier Lakeside Viewing Platform

The lakeside viewing area is free of charge. Even without taking a cruise, visitors can enjoy the emerald-green lake and the surrounding canyon and mountains from the shore.

⛺ Hongliu Manor Lakeside Camp

Hongliu Manor (红柳庄园) offers lakeside camping and lake-view accommodation, providing an opportunity to experience the highland night sky away from city lights.

🏜️ Explore the Surrounding Attractions

Longyang Lake can be combined with the Longyang Grand Canyon cliffside walkway and the Tulin Geological Park for a more complete Longyangxia sightseeing experience.

The recommended visiting time is about 0.5 hour for the pier and lakeshore, approximately 1–1.5 hours for a round-trip cruise, and 1–2 days for exploring the wider Longyangxia area.

Accommodation and Food

🏨 Where to Stay

Staying at a hotel in Longyangxia Town is recommended. Hongliu Manor also offers lakeside wooden cabins and space-capsule-style accommodation. Staying in Gonghe County town is not recommended because the distance makes daily round trips inconvenient.

🍜 Local Food

Recommended local specialties include Longyang Lake fish, kang-pot lamb, and mianpian noodles. There are relatively few shops around the pier, so it is advisable to bring drinking water and some snacks or dry food.

Travel Tips and Important Notes

1. The lakeshore is free to access, while the sightseeing cruise requires a separate ticket. Visitors can also purchase a resort pass, which allows multiple entries and exits to the different sub-attractions within three days. Discount policies are subject to the conditions announced by the scenic area on site.
2. Strong winds are common around the lake, so a windproof jacket is essential throughout the year. Ultraviolet radiation is also strong at this high altitude, making sun protection important.
3. Cruises may be temporarily suspended during strong winds or flood seasons. Check the operating status before setting out.
4. The lakeshore can be slippery, so do not approach dangerous sections of the water. The dam area is under controlled management, and visitors are prohibited from approaching the dam structure without authorization.
5. Mobile phone signals may be weak in some parts of the lake area. Download an offline map in advance, and take all rubbish with you to help protect the ecological environment of the Yellow River.