Name: Golmud

Chinese name: 格尔木市

Province: Qinghai

Status: City-district

Population: 107,000 inhabitants

Area: 123,460 km²

Golmud is a city-district in the Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Qinghai province. The city is located in the central-southern part of the Qaidam Basin at an altitude of 2,809 meters.

This industrial city has little to offer travelers. Nevertheless, it serves as a strategic stopover on the route to Tibet.

History

The lands of Golmud were, in ancient times, occupied by the Qiangs.

The Golmud provisional committee was created in 1956 by Qinghai province. Golmud became a county in 1956 and was elevated to city status in 1980.

Today

Golmud, sometimes spelled Ge'ermu or Geermu, means "Rivers" in Western Mongolian dialect. Golmud should not hold your attention for more than a day. Many travelers spend no more than a few hours here.

Golmud is a rapidly growing city. It owes its existence to mining operations, oil drilling, and the construction of the railway line connecting Qinghai to Lhasa in Tibet.

Golmud Railway Station

Golmud – Lhasa Train

Although the landscape has been altered by mining operations, there remain pleasant panoramas of the Tibetan plateau to contemplate.

Golmud is the departure point for the Qinghai-Tibet railway line. While waiting for departure, some travelers take the opportunity to visit the Chaerhan salt lake. Located 60 km from Golmud, this lake is one of the world's largest salt lakes.

Climate

Golmud has a cold and dry climate with long, very cold winters but mild and pleasant summers.

Temperatures can drop below –15°C on January nights and can rise to 24°C during July days.

Golmud is an exceptionally sunny city throughout the year. Rainfall is scarce with average annual precipitation of 41.55 mm.

The best time to visit Golmud is from July to September when temperatures are not too low.

Plane

Golmud Airport is served by daily flights from Xining. It is also connected to Xi'an.

Train

There is a railway line connecting Xining to Golmud and Golmud to Lhasa.

Golmud has buses and taxis for easy travel around the city.

What to Do in Golmud?

• Take the train to Lhasa in Tibet.
• Discover the great Chaerhan salt lake.