大西北环线的第三天，是路程最长，风景最多样化的一天。今天，我们将在中国最美的315国道上行驶，体验大西北的荒凉和孤独，感受延伸到天际的U型网红公路，还将在号称青海版马尔代夫的东台吉乃尔湖徒步，体验乌素特水上雅丹，穿过一边蓝一边绿的西台吉乃尔湖。

除了靠近景区和加油站的地方，一路基本是没信号的，所以记得提前告知家人和朋友。一路行驶在茫茫戈壁中，有自由飞驰的快乐，也有对严酷环境的敬畏。偶尔停车爬山某个山坡，四面八方满眼尽是戈壁滩。

网红U型公路就位于G315国道上，其实U型公路在青海新疆很多，只是在前往东台吉乃尔湖路上有两段特别明显。第一个，在山坡上有空地，可以停好车爬到路边山坡上拍摄，如果想在路中间拍人像，一定要注意安全，每年都有被撞出事的情况。如果遇到抓住就罚款。第二个其实坡度更加陡峭，只是不太方便停车，而且两个山坡间距离有些远。

东台吉乃尔湖是个原生态盐湖，走进去白茫茫一片盐碱，远远就望见蒂芙尼蓝色，那是一种特别迷人的颜色。在湖中间还有条隆起的地带，要从左手侧浅滩淌水过去。

虽然风景很美，但是很难拍照。如果正对着湖水拍，就没有任何线条美感。而想沿着湖岸拍，就挤满了人群。其实只要沿着湖岸往右走十分钟，不会有人愿意动动腿，但只要你愿意多走几步，就能超过90%以上的人，而我整整走了半个多小时。

lake water's color changes with light and distance, near the shore it is clear and transparent, gradually changing to green, blue, deep blue as you move away. The shoreside salt deposits form a natural and romantic "beautiful beach", although looking fine and soft, the salt is actually hard. When walking along the lake shore for half an hour more, I came across another group of travelers who had brought their cars to less crowded areas but were surprised when they saw me.

I decided to turn back after reaching a place surrounded by three sides of water. Today's itinerary was tight; we still had to visit Usumati Water Yadan and Xitai Lake before heading to Zangyai for overnight stay.

Sometimes you might find too many people annoying or not enough beauty in the scenery; it's just that not everyone has walked far enough. Those who truly want to walk under scorching suns have few numbers; listening only to your footsteps sounds hearing only your own shadow projected onto the ground by sunlight - I liked this part of my solo journey where I felt like seeing true East Taijinyu Lake.