Baigong Pipes: A Technological Oddity in China from 150,000 Years Ago That Still Baffles Scientists!

Sometimes, we may come across something that makes us say, “Huh. I wonder why I have never heard of that….” Other times, you may learn of something and think to yourself, “Why isn’t anyone talking about this? For that matter, why did they stop investigating?”

You may have asked similar or more advanced questions… but all in all, you are not alone.

The Baigong Pipes in Mount Baigong of China has an air of mystery, not just due to its’ questionable history and origin, but also because of it possible uses. The Chinese government has not been very clear on their findings and seem to have stopped investigating its origins. Moreover, when I encountered this interesting archeological find on the internet for the first time just a few years ago, it was explained that the Chinese government ceased all visitations and studies to outsiders. In my current research on the subject, I can’t find any reference to this ban. Makes me wonder a bit about the Mandela Effect. Anyhow, let’s dive into this one, shall we?

What we understand about these pipes is that they are made of iron. Quite literally, they are iron pipes mixed with silicone dioxide, ferric oxide, and calcium oxide which proves long term chemical reactions with the elements in the surrounding areas.

However, approximately 8% of the material cannot be identified. Perhaps an out of this world element was used in its creation?

These pipes lead into a lake of saltwater and range in diameter from the width of a toothpick to about 16 inches. There is proof that nomadic people may have lived in these areas approximately 30,000 years ago… that’s it. No proof of civilization before that except for the 150,000-year-old pipes which were discovered back in 1996, and investigations went full force around 2002.

What’s more interesting is that there is some mysterious pyramid-like structure with three caves that leads to the saltwater lake. Under that lakebed and shore, lie those pipes. At a fairly close distance, around those pipes by the shore are oddly shaped, cylindrical-type rocks that protrude from the ground. It remains to be understood why they are there. Could they possibly be pipes that have been covered by sediment over time? Who knows? But in 2007, trace amounts of radiation were discovered in many of those pipes.

Although this article is all about the salty lakebed with these ancient pipes that run through it, there is a detail that I must mention that may make this even more mysterious. This area is home to 2 very distinct twin lakes known as the “Sweetheart Lakes”. The Baigong Mountain (or pyramid, depending on what theories you prefer) lies between these two lakes. One is on the southern side of this pyramid – the salty lake I just mentioned above and is named Tuosu Lake. It is devoid of any life.

The other, less spoken about lake on the northern side of this pyramid, is completely freshwater with no pipes, named Crook Lake. This one somehow has aquatic plant life, and is surrounded by swamps and desert lands. Odd, huh?

Although these old lakes exist, the region is quite dry and desert-like as it shares the same inhospitable climate as its neighbor, the Gobi Desert. However, there is proof that these areas once contained a lush, subtropical environment with plenty of vegetation. For that reason alone, we should expect that the pipes’ origins and uses may be of a more… unexpected nature, especially when considering that trace amounts of radiation have been found within those pipes.

Now… there have been several hypotheses about the pipe’s origins. One theory is that they are ancient tree roots. Another theory is that they are pipes that were placed by an ancient race or even extraterrestrials, via unknown technology. Purpose? Irrigation, filtration, experimentation; take your pick. Another theory was that the pipes are the result of some grounds that lifted due to some magma pushing up through the ground which caused fissures and created the formations we see today. Who’s right? Can we conclude that any of them are wrong?

Well, as if the pipes weren’t enough to get your mental cogs rotating, let’s consider another part of these findings close by that are less spoken about than those pipes. Apparently, there is proof that mining took place close by. Moreover, around the lakebed are very clear roads that go around and into the lake itself! Some parts of those roads have been eroded away and are even covered by the lake.

There is something of note here. It has been found that this salty lakebed shares similar landmarks and erosion to that of the shorelines and islands of Antarctica, the Nile River of Egypt, and Lake Titicaca of Peru, among other places. Some people may throw a flag and say this is a mere coincidence. I may be willing to agree with that actually, and honestly, I am unsure of the significance of this type of find. But it is a curious one and should be part of what is considered here, in the grand scheme of things. Particularly, when considering that pipes similar to the ones found in China have been found on the opposite side of the world in the United States. Let me explain.

Let’s consider the fact that time and nature have the uncanny ability to break anything down to its most basic components, especially if left unattended or without maintenance. That by itself tells us that there may have been more than just these mysterious pipes at one point. But let us consider another part of the world with a similar phenomenon.

Apparently, in the United States spread across parts of Colorado, Nevada, Utah, and Arizona are groups of canyons called the Glen Canyon Group. There seems to be a similar finding in this part of the world that holds major similarities to the Baigong Pipes found in China. The pipes are made of what they call “ironstone” which is buried deep within “Navajo Sandstone” – just hard sediment. Obviously, different country equals a different name. Nonetheless, the pipe structures are the same and found in a similar environment. The elemental make-up is similar as well. However, the findings in the US have been on a somewhat more boring side as very few people have shown interest. Somehow, the pipes found in China have more interesting oddities in and around the area which give it an extravagant feel of mystery.

That said, these two locations are not the only places around the world that it can be found. The ancient pipes found in other countries have sadly been attributed to ancient root structures, old volcanic activity, and unknown natural formations due to their surroundings.

Another oddity that shares similarities but may actually be attributed to volcanic activity are basalt columns that typically form in hexagonal, pole-shaped columns. A few notable places with these are in Melbourne Australia, Mammoth Lakes in California, Ireland, and Iceland. Although there are notable similarities, the Baigong pipes are made of iron while those others are composed of volcanic matter, with no discernable cylinder or pathway inside of those hexagons. So they are not the same out-of-this-world type of find, but still… they fit into the curiosities and wonders Earth has to offer.

Unless if more serious people put their minds together to properly uncover the truth, this will always remain a mystery – just like many of the other crazy archeological and scientific finds around the world.

Join me next time as I delve into another one of these curious topics. One of the many that will appear in my future Sci-Fi series, expected to be 8 books long. Stay tuned and stay safe.