Nestled in the Desert by Gasi Lake, in Qinghai’s Mangya City, lies a natural wonder called Aiken Spring. 

Known in Mongolian as Aikenbulage – “source spring” – it is a place of striking contrast and raw beauty.

At its centre, a deep, mineral-rich pool churns with geothermal energy. 

Around it, red ring-shaped deposits stain the earth like a giant unblinking eye, which many say belongs to the devil.

The colours are vivid, the landscape feels alien – almost as if it was torn from another world.

But its beauty comes with a warning. 

The water’s high sulphur content makes it inhospitable. 

No plants grow and no animals drink. Even birds give it a wide berth.

Though Aiken Spring is silent, it pulses with a hidden power. 

A reminder that beneath this quiet land, the earth still breathes fire.