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Visiting the Dongge Cuona Lake Ecological Protection Area in Guoluo Prefecture, Qinghai
Recently, Yufan was honored to be invited to participate in the cultural promotion event for building the Chinese national community in Guoluo Prefecture, Qinghai. Centered on strengthening the awareness of the Chinese national community, the event brought together local mainstream media reporters, university experts, and online influencers to explore the frontlines of the plateau. We deeply uncovered vivid practices in ethnic unity, cultural and tourism integration, and red heritage across the prefecture, presenting a comprehensive and multi-dimensional story of the interactions and exchanges among the various ethnic groups on the Madu Plateau. On the first day, we arrived in Madu County. Located at the core of the Yellow River’s source area, Madu is known as the “county of a thousand lakes.” Its cold and vast plateau landscape, dotted with numerous lakes of all sizes, creates a unique ecological picture. Local ethnic communities have protected the mother river’s source for generations, achieving solid results in ecological conservation and ethnic unity. Our first stop was the stunning Dongge Cuona Lake. Dongge Cuona Lake lies in an important water source conservation area of the upper Yellow River. Covering about 247 square kilometers, it is a well-known large freshwater lake on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. In Tibetan, “Dongge Cuona” means “black lake formed by a thousand tents.” Legend has it that ancient Tibetan herders camped here with over a thousand tents surrounding the lake. At night, the tents looked like ink spots floating on the water, giving the lake its name. As part of the Sanjiangyuan National Park, Dongge Cuona Lake plays a vital role in water conservation, soil preservation, and biodiversity maintenance. It is an indispensable link in the Yellow River basin’s ecological chain. We arrived at the lakeshore around noon. After launching a drone, the full view of Dongge Cuona Lake gradually unfolded before us. The clear water shifted in color from near to far, with transparent emerald green in the shallow areas and deep sapphire blue in the depths. The underwater terrain was clearly visible through the crystal-clear water. Surrounding the lake were continuous bare rock mountain ranges. Above the clear blue sky, large cumulus clouds stretched freely, their shadows gently rippling on the lake surface. The lakeside wetlands and meadows stretched endlessly, with winding streams tracing graceful curves over the green carpet. The water network was extensive and the aquatic plants lush, forming a grand yet gentle highland landscape painting. There were no noisy tourists, only the sound of the long wind sweeping across the lake surface. Pristine, pure, and magnificent, this is the most direct image of Dongge Cuona Lake. Several narrow peninsulas and isolated islands in the lake’s center are the lake’s most lively highlights. The long grass-covered shoals extended into the blue water, with withered yellow plateau grasslands interspersed with patches of green, gently embraced by the vast blue waves. The islands were rarely visited by people, becoming a natural sanctuary for water birds to rest and breed. Far from outside disturbance, they have preserved their original natural state. From the aerial view, the islands were scattered and embedded in the lake, paired with the lake’s layered colors, like a carefully crafted work of art by nature. Every angle held the ultimate romance unique to a highland lake. At the protection area’s management station, we interviewed Han Changpeng, the head of the ecological protection station, who shared the daily routine of guarding this high-altitude frontline. Dongge Cuona Lake sits at an average altitude above 4,000 meters. The harsh climate, cold and oxygen-poor environment, and very short frost-free period make the natural conditions extremely tough. Han Changpeng and his colleagues conduct daily patrols around the lake, monitoring water level changes, identifying ecological risks, and discouraging illegal grazing and unauthorized entry. They work tirelessly to protect the habitats of rare wild animals such as the Tibetan wild donkey, black-necked crane, and bar-headed goose. To safeguard this source of clear water, they stay away from the city and their families for long periods, rooted in remote pastoral areas. Exposure to wind and sun and trekking over mountains and rivers have become routine. After decades of ecological restoration and strict management, Dongge Cuona Lake’s water and grass have become more abundant, bird populations continue to grow, and the watershed’s water conservation capacity steadily improves. The ecological foundation of the upper Yellow River shines brighter. In ordinary roles with long-term dedication, this group of plateau ecological guardians measures every inch of the lakeshore with their footsteps and builds a solid ecological defense line for Sanjiangyuan with their responsibility. The trip to Dongge Cuona Lake not only revealed the area’s unique ecological beauty but also witnessed the community spirit of Guoluo’s ethnic groups united in protecting green waters and mountains and building a better home together. The mountains and rivers speak silently, but the guardians’ efforts resonate loudly. It is this group of ordinary yet great ecological guardians who keep the highland lake forever clear and the source mountains and rivers alive and thriving.
