在大西北环线的第三天，我们将体验中国最美的315国道，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，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，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的盐湖，走进去白茫茫一片盐碱，远远就望见蒂芙尼蓝，白色盐碱如同沙滩，幽蓝的湖水如海，在湖中间还有条隆起的地面，由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，要沿着岸边往右走十分钟，就能避开那些收费拍照的人群，然后后面几乎就是无人的纯净秘境。但其实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's color changes with the light and distance, near the shore is clear and transparent, gradually turning into green, light blue, deep blue. The salt deposits on the shore form a natural "beautiful beach", soft to see but hard to touch.

Along the lake shore for half an hour more, there are another group of travelers who have driven their cars to less crowded places but didn't expect someone else would come along so they all look at me in surprise. I stop at a place where three sides are surrounded by water and stay still for a while before deciding to turn back. Today's itinerary is tight; we need to go Ussut Water Sand Yard and West Taiji Lake as well before heading to Maoyan Village for accommodation tonight.

Sometimes you hate how crowded it gets or feel that the scenery isn't beautiful enough; actually it's just because you haven't walked far enough. People who truly enjoy walking under scorching sun don't many so if you keep walking you'll surpass most others. Listening to your footsteps and looking at your shadow cast by sunlight makes me like this solo walk very much. I think I've seen the true East Taiji Lake.