2024 Qinghai Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in November)
Popular Attractions
Chaka Salt Lake
Kumbum Monastery
Qinghai Tibetan Culture Museum
Qinghai Lake
Wu Su Te (Water) Yadan Geological Park
Shocked! You definitely can't miss these attractions in Qinghai
Baozis👫, listen to me👂, Qinghai is a super awesome👍 place! Spending four days and three nights here is simply exhilarating😎!
🌏Qinghai is located in the vast northwest of our great China👈, where it boasts a unique geographical location and breathtaking natural scenery🌅.
🎯The travel itinerary is clear and straightforward👇👇👇:
Day1️⃣: Arrive in Qinghai - Rest a bit😴 - Head to the local food street for a feast😋
Day2️⃣: The sacred atmosphere of Ta'er Monastery🛕 calms you down🙏, the azure of Qinghai Lake🌊 is unbelievably beautiful🌊, Baozis👫, believe me😎, these two places are definitely worth it👍.
Day3️⃣: The 'Mirror of the Sky' at Chaka Salt Lake✨ lives up to its name✨, the emerald green clarity of Emerald Lake💧 is intoxicating💧, both spots are perfect for taking photos📷.
Day4️⃣: The majestic beauty of Mount Zhuoer🏔 will make you linger😍, savor the charm of nature once more before heading back🏞.
8 must-visit attractions, each with its own charm👇👇👇:
👉Ta'er Monastery, experience the profound Buddhist culture🙏, and it's free of charge😜, Baozis rush over🎉!
👉Qinghai Lake, its deep blue seems to cleanse the soul🌊, immersing you in its beauty😍.
👉Chaka Salt Lake, the 'Mirror of the Sky' is not an overstatement✨, every photo looks amazing📷, remember to wear a pretty dress👗.
👉Emerald Lake, the water is as clear as jade💧, breathtakingly beautiful👀!
👉Mount Zhuoer, the mountain range is majestic and picturesque🏔, like a painting🖼.
👉Qilian Mountains, the undulating mountain range is a marvel of nature😌.
👉Menyuan rapeseed flower sea🌼, a vast expanse of yellow, as if in a golden ocean🌻.
👉Riyue Mountain, witness the historical vicissitudes🧐.
How exactly do you enjoy these attractions🤔? Let me explain slowly🧐:
At Ta'er Monastery, you can calm your mind and visit the temple buildings👀, savor the charm of Buddhist culture📚; at Qinghai Lake, stroll along the lakeside🚶♀️, enjoy the lake and mountain scenery🌅, feel the pleasant breeze😌; at Chaka Salt Lake, put on your most beautiful clothes and take as many photos as you want📷, leaving the most beautiful memories👗; Emerald Lake is perfect for boat tours🚣♀️, the clear water will cheer you up💖; Mount Zhuoer is great for hiking🧗♀️, challenge yourself while enjoying the beautiful scenery🏞.
Personal travel experience tips🤓:
🎈Baozis👫, be sure to bring sunscreen👝, the sun here🌞 is very enthusiastic😜!
🎈The temperature difference between day and night is quite large🥶, remember to keep warm🧥.
🎈There's a lot of delicious food😍, don't miss out👄!
The food streets of Qinghai are also quite distinctive😍! Here are 5 local food streets to recommend👇👇👇:
👉Mo Jie Street: A variety of snacks available😋, Baozis can enjoy to their heart's content👄.
👉Shuijing Alley: A dazzling array of delicacies🤩, there's always something to satisfy your taste buds😜.
👉Xin Qian International Plaza: The food here is rich and varied👍, making you eat non-stop🤤.
👉Tangdao 637: Enjoy the food👄 while experiencing the unique local cultural atmosphere🤓.
Each food street has its own mouthwatering specialties😍, such as:
👉Hand-grabbed lamb🐑, the tender taste😋, melts in your mouth🤤, simply amazing👍.
👉Qinghai old yogurt🧃, sweet and sour🤩, with a rich taste👍.
👉Niàngpí🥘, cool and refreshing😜, the best choice for summer👏.
👉Sweet fermented rice🍯, fragrant and delicious😝, endlessly memorable🤤.
Baozis👫, Qinghai is really a place that makes you want to return again and again👍! With beautiful scenery😍, delicious food😋, it's simply a vacation paradise🤩! Pack your bags🎒, and embark on a trip on a whim🚶♀️! 💖Qinghai awaits you💖! Qinghai
EmmaBakke
Overnight Strategy for a 9-Day Tour of the Qinghai-Gansu Grand Loop
Qinghai-Gansu Grand Loop | Nanny-Level Route Guide Sharing
Used to the routine city life, why not experience the grandeur of the northwest with its 'vast desert and long river with a round sunset'? This place has all the terrains and landforms in the world: lakes, mountains, Danxia landforms, deserts, neighbors, hills, grasslands, plateaus, stone forests... A trip to the northwest is equivalent to traveling ten times. I have compiled a travel guide for everyone here!
Northwest Third Pole Travel Takes You to the Northwest
💁♀️9 Days and 8 Nights Northwest Tour Route
D1: Arrive in Xining - Free 24-hour airport/station pickup - Check-in at hotel
D2: Riyue Mountain - Daotang River - Qinghai Lake - Chaka Salt Lake - Chaka Town (overnight)
D3: Chaka - Xiaochaidan Lake - Chaerhan Salt Lake - Dachaidan (overnight)
D4: Dachaidan - U-shaped Road - Water Yadan - Dachaidan (overnight)
D5: Emerald Lake - Heidushan - Oil Town - Dunhuang (overnight)
D6: Dunhuang - Mogao Caves - Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring - (Dunhuang)
D7: Dunhuang - Jiayuguan - Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park - Zhangye (overnight)
D8: Zhangye - Qilian Grassland - Distant view of Gangshika Snow Peak - Menyuan Rapeseed Flower - Xining
D9: Xining - Various destinations (free airport drop-off)
💞Scenic Spot Introduction
🌟Qinghai Lake: The sunrise and sunset are extremely beautiful, and there are golden rapeseed flowers by the lake in spring.
🌟Chaka Salt Lake: Be sure to take stunning reflection photos in the legendary Sky Mirror.
🌟Emerald Lake: Float on the emerald green lake in a transparent boat, aerial photography is amazing.
🌟Mogao Caves: The charm of the thousand-year-old cave murals is endless, and the guide's introduction is also very vivid.
🌟Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring: Take photos riding a camel in a red dress, absolutely stunning.
🌟Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park: The Danxia landform in the oil painting is vividly presented in front of you, super shocking.
~
🙆🏻♀️Notes:
○ How to prevent and deal with altitude sickness
○ Avoid strenuous exercise when you first arrive at the plateau
○ Do not drink alcohol or smoke when you first arrive at the plateau, wait until you adapt
○ Do not go to the plateau if you have a cold, as it can easily cause pulmonary edema
○ The northwest loop is located on the plateau, with strong sunlight and ultraviolet rays, so take sun protection measures
○ The temperature difference between morning and evening in the northwest is large, so keep warm
西北第三极旅行(青甘大环线)
#qinghai #西宁#qinghailake
cosmopolitanqa
Damei Qinghai self-driving route recommended!
Qinghai--China's representative place
Qinghai is separated from Sichuan by only one mountain, and Mianyang, but one thousand kilometers. There are mountains surrounded by blue waters, Qinghai Lake, and Lingshan Holy Water Cambra.
Route 1: XiningMenyuanQilian
smeared with a piece of green, and its golden color it is an energetic and vibrant romantic declaration .
Under the deep blue sky of the plateau, the rich yellow flowers stretch for nearly 100 kilometers, like the golden sea. It shows the domineering of rapeseed flowers in the northern region under the blue sky, white clouds and snow-capped mountains...
You can follow the 227 national road to the Russian Fort and then divide the road to the west to the big road, passing the imperial city grassland and the Aru grassland. . All the way from the source of the door, all the way is full of endless grassland and cattle and sheep, and then to the back, will feel the mountain suddenly increased, at first glance, a beautiful scenery in the mountains.
A few kilometers along the mountain road is the Zall Mountain. You will see the mountains on both sides and the mountains in the distance. At this time, the eyes are not enough. The wheat fields, rape fields and Yadan landforms. The scenery of pine forests, snow mountains and grasslands surrounds you. Step by step, each angle is beautiful, and each angle is a perfect postcard.
Route 2: Guide-Lajishan-Tal Temple
took out Xining, driving south for several tens of kilometers to the foot of Lajishan. Not far from the hills, the five-color prayer flags fluttered in the wind, climbed up to take pictures, and later learned that Tibetans generally hang on the mountains, intersections, lakes or roofs to pray. It is said that the longer the connection between the warriors and the shackles, the higher the hang, the better the luck, which is why they choose the snow-capped mountains.
When you reach the foot of the mountain, the right hand side is a compelling green, and the left hand side is a dazzling Danxia landform that is not pleasing in the grass in the afternoon sun. A crisscrossed, fine layered layer.
The first time I saw the clear green green river, the trip was worth again. The statement that a basin of river water and half basin mud does not apply in Guide. If I didn't see it with my own eyes, I wouldn't believe that there would be such a clear and clear Yellow River water anyway.
, the birthplace of Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelug Sect of Tibetan Buddhism. A row of eight treasures like the tower, the size of the Jinwa Temple, is an iconic building. The Ta'er Monastery has three musts: murals, piles of embroidered, butter flowers.
Winnie_trip
Get up early in the sunrise of the tea card Salt Lake, there are not many people in the scenic area, and the black paint,
all the way to go away!
You can enter the park at 5:30 in the morning,
wait for sunrise, wait for the sunrise, fly the aerial camera self-timer!
Casually pat is the mirror of the sky!
No girl shoots, then shoot yourself more, after all, its handsome,
Aunts who passed by, all of them are competing to take a group photo!
When I am going to leave, there are not many people in the depths of the scenic spot,
But when I go back, my horse! People crowded into the sea!
horror! terrible!
When I was out of the park, it was the 65th. So many people like me like me!
Tea Lake Salt Lake is not very beautiful, but! !
Today's focus is not on the tea card salt lake!
YAO SHUN.
Qinghai-Tibetan Highway: Veine of Life
#roadtrips #100waysoftravel
The Qinghai-Tibet Highway starts from Xining in Qinghai Province and ends in Lhasa, Tibet. It is the highest and longest paved road in the world, as well as the relatively short, best and safest road to Tibet. Along the road stretches a majestic landscape with all the prairies, salt lakes, mountains, deserts and other natural landscapes. The Qinghai-Tibet Highway is open to traffic all year round. It is the busiest of the 5 highways leading to Tibet.
The 1937 km Qinghai-Tibet Highway is a minor highway of national importance. The width of the roadway is 10 meters, the slope is less than 7%, and the minimum radius is 125 meters. The average height of the highway is 4000 meters, and the maximum speed along the highway is 60 km / h. Behind the Kunlun Mountains there are ancient lake landforms, on which 474 culverts and more than 60 bridges with a total length of 1,347 km were built.
The "third pole of the world" - Tibet - is a magical and beautiful place that has always been a Buddhist shrine, which many people in China, as well as around the world, aspired to. However, due to the steep terrain, huge mountains and rivers, it was closed from the outside world. In early 1950, the PLA went to Tibet together with the Tibetan people to carry forward the spirit of hard struggle, overcome difficulties, overcome all obstacles to build the Sichuan-Tibet highway and Qinghai-Tibet Highway with a total length of more than 4,360 kilometers through the roof of the world, thanks to which modern transport will replace the backward mode of transport in Tibet and open a new one a chapter in the development of transport in Tibet.
The Qinghai-Tibet Highway in Tibet connects to important passages of the mainland, delivering more than 85% of goods to Tibet and more than 90% of goods from Tibet to other places, plays an important role in economic development and social stability in Tibet and is known as the "Lifeline” Tibet.
MaxS
Highly recommend my Northwest small group (not a tout).
Highly recommend the small group I joined this time to the Northwest. When I was making the strategy, I originally wanted to charter a car to the Northwest (+ the kind of driver, we can't drive), but the cost was over budget for the two of us. After comprehensive trade-offs, I joined this small group. However, the group is definitely not as free and casual as self-driving, but it saves a lot of worry, basically no need to worry, our car seats are very comfortable, every time I get tired, I can sleep on the car, and it is also a full-enclosed seat, sitting for a long time will not hurt the butt, a proper mobile sofa. About my group
1. I joined a six-person Northwest small group (PS: my group is not full, just five people haha), which includes (tickets, hotels, insurance, car use, driver, travel photography, desert sand sliding, bonfire party, airport pick-up and drop-off) except for meals, there are no other self-funded projects.
2. Our group are all peers. Before I went, I specifically said that I would arrange peers, so that everyone can have a topic haha.
3. I just booked it because I saw their car. My feeling after following the group is that this car is really soft and comfortable, independent seats, and there will be no situation of three consecutive seats in the back row, and I didn't choose the wrong one!
——Small tisp
Three elements of joining a group: local group, business license, and signing a formal contract
Before joining a group, check online. If many people feedback that this one is a pit, don't join
——
Choose a small group, no more than 6 people, too many people will have a bad experience in freedom and car ride
——
Before joining a group, you need to see if there is insurance. Insurance is still very necessary, a guarantee for yourself
——
The group leader must be local, and will be more familiar with the local and various scenic spots, and the experience will be much better~
——
Many people say on the Internet that there are various pits in the group, I want to say that I am also the first time to join the group, those who are greedy for small and cheap must not play well and are not free. After all, the price is there, one penny and one penny. And many people go to the Northwest are also limited in time and afraid of being slaughtered, so joining a group is also a good choice. Pure sharing
链途国旅官方直播间.
I was really lucky to have sunny weather when I went.
Original camera, no filter 📷 Contributing a set of beautiful Qinghai scenery || The scenery is as you see it!
I was really lucky to have sunny weather when I went ☀️
I've accumulated a lot of beautiful scenery and now I can finally post it bit by bit 😂 The beautiful scenery here really needs the contrast of sunny weather. On cloudy days, you can't appreciate the beauty of Qinghai Lake, so you must choose good weather before you go.
Life returns to normal after traveling ✈️, and we have to live happily again 📖~
Of course, life is a wilderness ♾️ Keep going!
CalebHall_32
Qinghai’s Xining Grasslands: A Tranquil Escape into Nature
#photolocation
The vast grasslands surrounding Xining in Qinghai Province are a breathtaking expanse of rolling hills, vibrant wildflowers, and endless blue skies. This serene landscape, dotted with grazing yaks and nomadic tents, offers a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. Whether you're visiting in the summer, when the grasslands are lush and green, or in autumn, when golden hues blanket the hills, this is a perfect destination to reconnect with nature and experience the unique culture of the Tibetan Plateau.
Travel Tips:
* Best Time to Visit: The grasslands are at their most beautiful between June and September. During this time, the weather is mild, and the wildflowers are in full bloom.
* Visit the Qinghai Lake: Combine your grassland adventure with a trip to the nearby Qinghai Lake, the largest saltwater lake in China. The turquoise waters set against the backdrop of the surrounding mountains are simply stunning.
Michaela (@uncoveringcities)
A homestay in the Qunji Forest.
Clouds and Mountains
It's hard to find a homestay like this in Qinghai
It is located in the Heixia of Qunji Forest Park, just like its name, it is located between the clouds. You can smell the mountains in the public rest area. It has been drizzling these days.
The whole mountain is surrounded by heavy fog, which is very artistic. There are three buildings in the courtyard.
There are six guest rooms, one tea room, and one public rest area.
The room is very warm with huge floor-to-ceiling windows and a terrace. I had a complete experience for two days and one night.
The village is also very quiet, with only a dozen households. The autumn harvest season is colorful. You can also go hiking in the forest. Dinner is a farmhouse dish made by the aunt in the village. Simple breakfast and dinner are available.
It is only a 1 hour and 20 minute drive from Xining.
Charles_Gray
Exploring the Gem of Qinghai: Chaka Salt Lake, a Dreamlike White World
🌅 Exploring the Gem of Qinghai: Chaka Salt Lake, a Dreamlike White World 🌟
On the mysterious and ancient land of Qinghai, there lies a dazzling gem—Chaka Salt Lake. It is not just a lake; it is a masterpiece of nature, a real-life version of the 'Mirror of the Sky,' and a dream destination for every traveler.
📍 Located in Chaka Town, Qinghai Province, Chaka Salt Lake stands out among China's salt lakes with its extraordinary beauty. Under the sunlight, the lake surface sparkles like a giant mirror, perfectly reflecting the blue sky and white clouds, making it hard to distinguish where the sky ends and the lake begins. Standing on this magical water surface, it feels as if you can touch the sky and experience an unprecedented sense of tranquility and awe.
👣 Walking on this white salt beach, every step allows you to feel the clarity of the lake water and the brilliance of the salt crystals. The purity here not only cleanses your eyes but also purifies your soul. Chaka Salt Lake is a precious gift from nature, a sanctuary where you can find peace amidst the hustle and bustle.
📜 Chaka Salt Lake is not only a representation of natural beauty but also has a long history and rich culture. It was once a crucial passage on the Silk Road, witnessing historical changes and cultural exchanges. On this land, you can listen to ancient legends and feel the simplicity and kindness of the local people.
🌟 The beauty of Chaka Salt Lake is all-encompassing. It not only boasts breathtaking natural scenery but also has profound cultural heritage. It is a magical place where your soul can be purified and your life can feel the beauty.
🌿 If you long to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and desire close contact with nature, Chaka Salt Lake is definitely your best choice. Here, you can let go of all worries, let your soul bathe in the grace of nature, and enjoy an unforgettable dreamlike journey.
📣 Chaka Salt Lake, the call of the 'Mirror of the Sky,' awaits your exploration. Let's set off together to discover that pure and mysterious white world!
MellifluousQuinceZephyr
Wind of Freedom: Camping in Qinghai
#campingfun
The city of Xining, in itself, is quite pleasant and a relatively small town, although it is the capital of the huge Qinghai province. Despite the fact that Qinghai province occupies about 8% of the entire territory of China, it is sparsely populated, and most of it is harsh and difficult to live in the highlands with cold piercing northern winds. But at the same time, Qinghai is famous for its beautiful wildlife, which has not yet been spoiled by man.
Xining, having a strategic location between the Eastern main (historical) China, Tibet to the Southwest and the Great Silk Road to the north and west, is a mixture of people of different cultures and faiths. Here you can meet pragmatic Han Chinese rushing to work; Tibetans selling handicrafts made of whose fur; Chinese Muslims in white caps falling on their knees on a personal prayer mat, opposite a huge mosque.
You will never notice how, driving only a few dozen kilometers from one city to another, the landscape abruptly changes from green meadows, yak pastures, to sand hills and rare shrubs, with villages in the Arabic style, and it already seems that the sand dunes of the Sahara desert will begin a little more.
There is huge number of options for camping in Qinghai province, starting from camping tours which every traveller can easily finds around city of Xining, and end up just by driving anywhere and joining the nomads! Yes, you heard that! You can really stop by any nomad group or camp organized by local people where they provide horses for rents and photo sessions and join their camps! It is so simple, but so romantic! That the taste of freedom of Qinghai province! The emerald grasslands are enormously huge and endless, the blue clean sky above the head seems to be so close! Besides, there are a lot of options for entertainment, including horse riding, exercising with bow and opportunity to taste nutritious local dishes.
MaxS
Three Trips to Qinghai: Always Amazed! Here’s the Ultimate Guide
||| I visited Qinghai in 2017 and 2020
The scenery in Qinghai amazed me back then
This May Day, I embarked on my third journey to Qinghai
I was even more shocked by the impact this land had on me!
This time, I finally explored the dazzling colors of Qinghai!
🚗 Self-Driving Route
Day1️⃣ Shanghai ✈️ Dunhuang - Lenghu Town
Day2️⃣ Lenghu - Heidushan - Petroleum Town - Eboliang
Day3️⃣ Eboliang - Water Yadan - Dongtai Jinaier Lake
Day4️⃣ Water Yadan - U-shaped Road - Blood of the Earth - Chaka Salt Lake - Dachaidan
Day5️⃣ Dachaidan Emerald Lake - Golden Light Tower - Delingha ✈️ Shanghai
This route is part of the Qinghai-Gansu Grand Loop, starting from Dunhuang to Delingha, crossing the entire Qaidam Basin, passing through colorful salt lakes, various Yadans, and the ink-wash painting-like Heidushan, making one marvel at the wonders of nature!
Recommended Attractions
📍 Dachaidan Emerald Lake (Pics 9, 16, 17, 18) Must-Visit
Located in Dachaidan Town, the scenic area has colorful salt lakes, especially stunning on sunny days, great for aerial photography.
📍 Chaka Salt Lake (Pics 1, 15) Can Skip if Time is Tight
Located in Golmud City, it takes about one and a half hours from Dachaidan to reach, and another half-hour by scenic area bus to enter, which is time-consuming. Known for its green apple-colored salt lake, great for aerial shots.
📍 Dongtai Jinaier Lake (Pic 6) Free, Must-Visit
Located next to Water Yadan, known as the Maldives of Qinghai. Now has a sightseeing road to the lake. The color is superb, not to be missed!
📍 Water Yadan (Pics 7, 13) Recommended
The only water Yadan group in the world, a rare spectacle that might dry up someday. However, the accommodation conditions in the scenic area are average.
📍 Eboliang (Pics 8, 10) Can Skip if Time is Tight, Must-Visit for Star Lovers
A Yadan group deep in the Gobi Desert, resembling the surface of Mars, far from human habitation, making it a paradise for star photography. However, the road conditions are poor, and the journey is long, with expensive tickets. Can be skipped if time is tight.
📍 Heidushan (Pic 5) Free, Must-Visit
The most popular attraction in Lenghu Town in recent years, drive to the parking lot and walk in. The black and gray mountain structure creates a stunning ink-wash painting.
📍 U-shaped Road (Pic 2) Free, Must-Visit
A section of National Highway 315, park by the roadside, very photogenic.
📍 Blood of the Earth (Pic 14) Can Be Aerial Photographed When Passing By
National Highway 315, not very vivid to the naked eye and requires aerial photography to see the full picture. Aerial photography enthusiasts can take a quick shot when passing by.
📍 Petroleum Town (Pic 4) Free, Recommended
An abandoned petroleum town near Lenghu Town, can be visited after Heidushan.
📍 Delingha Golden Light Tower (Pic 3) Recommended
A solar power installation next to Delingha City, very sci-fi!
_TI***3k
Wedding Photo Tour: Roaming Qinghai
#familytravel
The Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau is the largest in China, with an average altitude of 4,000 meters above sea level.
The famous Himalayas with their highest peak in the world, Mount Everest, are part of this highlands.
The pastures of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau are rich in low but nutritious grasses, as the climate of this area is characterized by a large number of sunny days.
Large herds of cows, yaks, sheep, Tibetan sheep and other animals freely graze in the valleys of the highlands.
The vastness, the eternally snow—covered mountain peaks, the beauty of the landscape, the peacefully grazing herds - all this makes Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau the most beautiful place on Earth.
💞Such ideal place is a great option for wedding travel and photo. Wedding photo tour is an wonderful idea, positive emotions and unforgettable memories are guaranteed.
We took our family trip to the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau in July when whether is most suitable for such kind of trip, the average air temperature is +15...+21 °C. The primary idea was to make unique shots and catch our happiness on a pictures.
Qinghai Province is quite large, so it is difficult for travelers to explore these regions in one visit. Here are some places that you should pay attention to during your trip:
Kumbum Monastery. One of the most important Buddhist monasteries located outside Tibet is located near the Qinghai capital of Xining.
Qinghai Lake. The largest lake in China and one of the largest salt lakes in Asia. Here you can also watch the birds, flocks of which flock to the reservoir, which is why these places are called "bird island".
Qilian Mountains. Here you can admire the snow-capped mountain peaks and enjoy the unspoilt natural landscapes
Salt Lake Chaika. The "Heavenly Mirror" (as this lake is called) is visited annually by a large number of tourists.
There are oil and gas fields in the Kaidam basin, but you can admire the untouched wildlife there.
This place is the place where every step brings an opportunity to make amazing pictures!
MaxS
Qinghai: When The Meadow Touches The Sky
#naturalbeauty
Qinghai, located in northwest China between Xinjiang, Tibet, Gansu and Sichuan, is one of the largest but most sparsely populated provinces in China. Most of Qinghai is historically part of Tibet, and as such, there is a lot of Tibetan culture in the province, perhaps this is the maximum that a traveler can get to know without obtaining permission to visit the Tibetan Autonomous Region. In fact, many cultures can be observed here: Han Chinese, Tibetans, Hui, Tu and Salars make up this melting pot of the province.
Outside the cities of Xining and Golmud, Qinghai is scattered through small villages inhabited by nomads, labor camps, prisons and nuclear test sites. Enjoy the abundance of natural attractions, and Qinghai may become your favorite place in China.
Qinghai is mostly cold, dry and located at a high altitude, which means that, like in Tibet, the cuisine here is based on meat, dairy products and barley, not vegetables. Qinghai cuisine is influenced by all its ethnic groups, and popular dishes include mutton, black pudding and Hui dumplings, which are usually stuffed with carrots, potatoes and pieces of meat heavily seasoned with spices.
The best time to visit Qinghai is considered to be the period from May to October. In spring, the grass turns green, and migratory birds flock to Qinghai Lake. The winter months in these parts can be very cold. Even in summer, travelers should take warm clothes with them. Most often, it is recommended to visit Qinghai in the summer months, because in addition to the comfortable weather, many festivals of the peoples inhabiting these lands are also held during this period.
Meadows inhabited by nomadic peoples are an excellent alternative to the more visited areas of Inner and Outer Mongolia. The alpine Meadows of Qinghai Province are an enchanting, mesmerizing sight. The feeling of freedom, when there are no restrictions, is simply not possible to convey in words, you just need to feel it.
MaxS
Wonderful Qinghai
Amazed by the scenery of Qinghai, Kanbula National Park with great view when reached the top. Chaka Salt Lake was stunning, there’s train still operating. Recommend to hop on the train for a better view. It is Canola flower season, enjoyed the Canola flower paddy view. While on the way to another spot, there’s desert to ride camels and horses, it has adventure activity like ATV riding or more. I give a 👍🏻 for this trip.#chinatrip
Libby Lai
Qinghai·Small Loop Line Golmud Group Tour and Major Transportation Guide
📸 ▸ 📍Qinghai·Small Loop Line
Preface: I visited the Qinghai Grand Loop 8 years ago and was attracted by the stunningly colorful salt lakes of Qinghai last year. This year, I finally decided to visit Qinghai again and take the small loop line that I hadn't taken before. However, after browsing most of the loop line tours online, I found very few that met my requirements: having drone aerial photography and excluding Qinghai Lake and Chaka Salt Lake (since I had been there before and didn't want to waste a day visiting again). After much searching, I finally found a small group tour with Nacuo Travel Agency in Golmud. (This is not an advertisement; I just spent a lot of time finding this itinerary and wanted to share it with everyone!)
About Golmud Major Transportation Guide:
There are no direct flights from Shanghai to Golmud; all require a transfer. The first option: fly to Xining or Xi'an, with a transfer time of over 5 hours in Xining and over 9 hours in Xi'an, then transfer to Golmud. (Choose according to your needs; the arrival time in Golmud from Xi'an is around 10 PM, and from Xining is around 4 PM.)
The second option: fly to Xining and transfer to Golmud by high-speed rail. The fastest high-speed rail takes over 5 hours.
(The advantage of transferring by plane is speed, but it's expensive; the advantage of transferring by high-speed rail is cost, but it's more exhausting. Choose according to your needs!)
About Joining the Small Group: This time, I joined a five-day small group tour with a maximum of 6 people. The itinerary is divided into two parts: day 1-4 is 🔆🚗ིྀ crossing the Qaidam Basin, with diverse landscapes along the way, as if stepping into a palette of the earth: Yardang, Gobi, desert, snow mountains, and various colored salt lakes. (The colors of the salt lakes are truly different to the naked eye, so each one is worth seeing!) Day 5 is a one-day tour of Hoh Xil, 𓇣 stepping into Hoh Xil feels like entering a kingdom of nature, where you can encounter various wild animals: Tibetan antelope, marmots, wild donkeys... everything grows and breathes freely. ᐖᨐ
About the Guide: How important is a reliable guide? They can help tourists see the best scenery with the least time and effort. Special thanks to Xiao Guo, who was our guide, driver, and photographer on this trip. He is the most versatile guide I've encountered in over ten years of group tours! He drives steadily, takes professional photos and drone aerial shots, is very kind and considerate, and has sharp eyes to quickly spot wild animals. He took many photos and videos every day, and combined with our own shots, we had so much photography material that it took two days just to organize it. He took us hiking in Heidushan 🚶, soaking in wild hot springs in Eboliang ♨️, and watching the stunning starry sky in Lenghu Town ✨... the travel experience was full!
Beautiful Qinghai.ᐟ.ᐟ Beautiful Haixi Prefecture.ᐟ.ᐟ Beautiful Golmud
Finally, thanks to the good weather! 🔅 🌷 See you again •͈ᴗ•͈
Savoring the World
Qinghai Chapter: A Treasure Homestay for Unlimited Stays with Family in Qinghai at 100 per Person
Sharing a Treasure Homestay
🎉V Giant Screen Projection V French Retro Style V Haihu Elephant City
🎉V The homestay is located in the center of Haihu Elephant City business district
🎉V Downstairs is a snack street with many local snacks, no blind spots and no pitfalls
Transportation is very convenient YYDS
🎉V French retro style, the night view outside the window is super beautiful
The atmosphere is full, it really is an ideal small home with two bedrooms and two super large balconies
🎉V Facilities are super complete!
There is an open kitchen
The big projection immediately attracts attention
There is a fully automatic washing machine, disposable towels, toothbrushes, bath towels
Overall, it is really super suitable for a family or a few friends to stay
🎉Address: Haihu Business District, Elephant City
SerenousEffervescentWhimsy
I'm back from the Qinghai-Tibet line
I'm back from the Qinghai-Tibet line
Beauty is indeed beautiful, but the exhaustion is real too. I can't handle this kind of loop travel in a short time; it's too tiring. The guide even said that our trip was considered a leisure tour, my goodness. It was a total of 7 days, getting up before 6:30 every morning, and not returning to the hotel until after 9 pm. Thankfully, we had a tour bus to catch some sleep on, otherwise, I don't think I could have made it.
Upon arriving in Lanzhou, the traffic in the city was truly incomprehensible, and the sunset in the northwest is really late, which was a shock to me as a Southerner. At 9 pm, the streets were still bustling, making it seem like you could do a lot in one day (where I'm from, there's not even a shadow on the streets by 8 pm).
The second day we went to the Ta'er Monastery, which was quite beautiful. I got a slight sense of their faith, just visiting. After a 3-hour drive in the afternoon? we arrived at Qinghai Lake. It was still sunny when we got there, but suddenly it started thundering while we were taking pictures, and then it hailed. And walking in the hail for 10 minutes to get on the bus? Thankfully I wore a hardshell jacket, which I must say was quite effective (not an ad). You must bring a hardshell jacket when you go to the northwest! It's both photo-worthy and windproof! We stayed at a newly opened hotel by Qinghai Lake that night, which I think was the most upscale hotel of the week. You could see the sunrise and sunset just by stepping outside, though the breakfast wasn't great. Despite vomiting and having diarrhea at three in the morning due to altitude sickness, I still got up at 6 am to watch the sunrise. It's really convenient to see the sunrise just outside the hotel!
The third day we went to the Chaka Salt Lake, which I think is the most worthwhile place to visit on this trip! Of course, it's the Chaka Salt Lake with good weather. It's too beautiful, too beautiful, too beautiful! The beauty is indescribable, and even with altitude sickness, it's a place I would want to visit again, but the weather must be good!!! It's really photogenic, and you have to see it with your own eyes! The weather must be good. It was nice when we went, but the weather turned gloomy before we even left the scenic area, and it wasn't as beautiful as on a sunny day.
The fourth day we went to the Emerald Lake, but the weather wasn't great. So it didn't feel as stunning as the Chaka Salt Lake, and Emerald Lake is more suited for drones. From the height of a drone, you can see the different colors of the lakes, but with the naked eye, it's just so-so! Mainly because the weather was bad.
The fifth day was Dunhuang. In the morning, we went to the Mogao Caves. The first two short films were quite shocking to me. The first one was a general introduction to the history of the Mogao Caves, and the second was a spherical screen, which gave a direct experience of the charm inside the Mogao Caves. It was more impressive and more shocking than I imagined, really a place worth visiting multiple times. You must buy tickets in advance, and it's best to come during the off-season. I came in mid-May and felt it was already too crowded. The cultural and creative products here are quite expensive; I bought a fridge magnet. In the afternoon, I went to the Mingsha Mountain and rode a camel for 100 yuan, which was a 40-minute ride, not too expensive, and worth experiencing. I have to say, climbing the Mingsha Mountain is really tough, you have to climb hard without looking back, or you might not be able to move. I went during a sandstorm, so the sky looked grey and hazy, so it wasn't that surprising. Anyway, I just sat on the mountain, spaced out for a bit, enjoyed the wind, and then came down.
_Daniel_31
The mirror of the sky in the beautiful Qinghai Province,
#chinatrip Chaka Salt Lake is located in Ulan County, Qinghai province, China. It is a key salt mine with abundant salt resources. While it is known as Mirror of the Sky or mirror lake for its reflective salt lake bed, the crystal blue water, white salt crust, and surrounding snow-capped mountains added to its reputation as an attractive tourist spot. Probably due to the weather at the time of visit, did not manage to see the mirror effect of the lake.
Claire’s Adventures
Graduation trip around Qinghai's mini circuit, breathtaking scenery awaits your exploration!
🌄 Opening Journey: Departing from Xining
Step onto the Qinghai mini circuit starting from Xining, the city on the plateau is your starting point. Xining Railway Station is located in the city center, with convenient transportation. Whether you take the airport shuttle bus or a ride-hailing service, you can easily get there. Fill your stomach, and we are about to set off!
🚗 First Day Tour: Ta'er Monastery and Qinghai Lake
The first day's journey is 330km, where you will encounter the tranquility and mystery of Ta'er Monastery, the center of Tibetan Buddhism activities in the northwest region, telling stories of a thousand years. Then, drive to Qinghai Lake, the largest saltwater lake in the inland, which will show its unique romance and grandeur. Stay near Qinghai Lake in Gonghe County or Chaka Town to rest up for tomorrow's adventure.
🌄 The Next Day's Adventure: Salt Lake and Cliffs
The second day's journey is about 380km, and you will first set foot on Chaka Salt Lake, as if entering a kingdom of salt, where every step feels like walking in the clouds. Next, you will pass through the most beautiful lakeside road of Qinghai Lake and arrive at the cliffs, one of the four great 'seas' of Qinghai Lake, with breathtaking scenery.
🏔️ Third Day Exploration: Qilian Mountains and Flower Sea
On the third day, starting from Qilian County, you will cross the Qilian Mountain grassland, feeling the endless yellow grass and snow-capped mountains. The beauty of Gangshita Snow Peak will make you feel as if you are in a dream. Finally, you will reach the Meiyuan rapeseed flower sea, a hundred-mile stretch of flower sea, which is a stunning view of Qinghai.
🎉 Closing Words: Qinghai's mini circuit, a journey well worth it
On this Qinghai mini circuit trip, you will experience the grandeur and mystery of the plateau and the wonders of nature. Departing from Xining, passing through Ta'er Monastery, Qinghai Lake, Chaka Salt Lake, the cliffs, Qilian Mountains, and finally to the Meiyuan rapeseed flower sea, each place is a beautiful painting. Qinghai, waiting for you to explore!🌈
No4hCassidy
Less known than the Chaka Salt Lake, it is the largest 'Mirror of the Sky' in China
Speaking of 'Sky Realm', the nearby place
might be the Chaka Salt Lake, the distant place
might be the Uyuni Salt Flat
But in fact, in Qinghai
there is a salt lake that is second only to the Uyuni Salt Flat and is 56 times larger than the Chaka Salt Lake. It is the largest salt lake in China
and also the second largest salt lake in the world with an area of 5865 square kilometers
which is equivalent to the area of 3 Shenzhen cities
The Qarhan Salt Lake has a huge reserve of salt, it is said that it could build a salt bridge between the Earth and the Moon
with a width of 6 meters and a thickness of 3 meters. It is also known as the most valuable lake in the world
The colors and layers of the Qarhan Salt Lake are extremely rich as if it has been coated with thick paint. In different seasons and times
green, yellow, blue, white colors alternate, giving the Qarhan Salt Lake layer upon layer of enchanting veils
Qarhan Salt Lake is located in the Qaidam Basin, an almost undeveloped fairyland... Coexisting with the majestic Kunlun Snow Mountains and the vast Gobi Desert, it is both magnificent and elegant
$Ticket: 80 (ticket + round-trip bus) divided into off-season and peak season
Driving: Currently, private cars are not allowed to drive to the salt lake, you need to stop at the distribution center, buy a ticket, and take the bus to get there, which takes about 20 minutes.
HikingAdventures*
Plan a 7-day, 6-night trip around Qinghai and Dunhuang.
Here is a suggested itinerary for a 7-day trip to Qinghai and Dunhuang, focusing on historical architecture and local cuisine:
Day 1: Arrival in Xining, acclimatization
• Morning: Arrive in Xining, check into the hotel, and acclimate to the high altitude.
• Afternoon: Explore Xining city, visit Dongguan Mosque to learn about Islamic culture.
• Dinner: Enjoy Xining's local delicacies such as hand-pulled mutton, yogurt, and Gami noodles.
Day 2: Xining to Qinghai Lake, experience natural beauty
• Morning: Head to Qinghai Lake (Erhai Sword Scenic Area) and enjoy the view of China's largest saltwater lake.
• Lunch: Have a local fisherman's meal by the lake, tasting Qinghai Lake fish.
• Afternoon: Visit Chaka Salt Lake and experience the unique charm of the 'Mirror of the Sky.'
• Night: Stay in Chaka.
Day 3: Chaka to Dachaidan
• Morning: Drive to Dachaidan, visit the Keluke-Tuosu Lake Nature Reserve along the way.
• Afternoon: Explore the Emerald Lake in Dachaidan and enjoy the tranquility of the salt lake.
• Dinner: Try Mongolian cuisine in Dachaidan.
Day 4: Dachaidan to Dunhuang, experience the Gobi Desert
• All day: Cross the Qaidam Basin, enjoy the Gobi Desert scenery, and stop for photos along the way.
• Evening: Arrive in Dunhuang, check into the hotel, explore the Dunhuang night market, and taste local specialties such as roasted whole lamb and donkey meat yellow noodles.
Day 5: Deep tour of Dunhuang, historical architecture
• Morning: Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site Mogao Caves (book tickets online in advance).
• Afternoon: Explore Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring, experience camel riding and sand sliding.
• Evening: Watch the performance 'Encore Dunhuang' to learn more about Dunhuang's history and culture.
Day 6: Dunhuang to Jiayuguan, the starting point of the Great Wall
• Morning: Drive to Jiayuguan, visit the Jiayuguan Fortress to learn about the western end of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall.
• Afternoon: Head to Zhangye, stop in Guazhou to taste local specialties such as honeydew melon.
• Night: Stay in Zhangye, enjoy local dishes such as 'Cuoyu' and 'Chao Bula' for dinner.
Day 7: Zhangye to Xining, Rainbow Mountains and grassland scenery
• Morning: Visit Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park and marvel at the natural wonders.
• Afternoon: Pass through Qilian Mountain Grassland, view Gangshika Snow Peak (seasonal), and experience Tibetan culture.
• Evening: Return to Xining, end of the trip.
Notes:
1. Booking: Mogao Caves tickets need to be booked online in advance, especially during peak season.
2. Climate and health: Qinghai has a high altitude, be aware of altitude sickness.
3. Transportation: It is recommended to rent a car or join a local tour group for a smooth trip.
4. Food exploration: Choose restaurants with good hygiene and high ratings to ensure food safety.
I hope this itinerary makes your family's trip to Qinghai and Dunhuang both fulfilling and enjoyable!
青海旅游当地向导祁军
Where to Travel During Summer Vacation—Cool Destination Qinghai (Qing-Gansu Loop).
The Qing-Gansu Loop tour is not just a journey, but a spiritual awakening. Here, you will feel the grandeur of nature and the insignificance of humanity, and you will love life more and cherish every beautiful moment. Here, we measure history with our footsteps, feel the culture with our hearts, admire the scenery with our eyes, and listen to the sounds of nature with our ears.
Qinghai Lake + Chaka Salt Lake + Water Yadan + Emerald Lake + Qaidam Basin + Mogao Caves + Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring + Jiayuguan + Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park + Qilian Zhuoer Mountain + Menyuan
Eight days and seven nights self-guided tour itinerary as follows:
Day 1: Xining · Qinghai Lake · Chaka Salt Lake. Stay in Chaka Town
Day 2: Chaka · Cross Qaidam · Dachaidan Emerald Lake, stay in Dachaidan
Day 3: Dachaidan · G315 National Highway · Water Yadan · South Eight Immortals Ghost City · Dachaidan
Day 4: Dachaidan · Oil Town · Yangguan Ruins · Dunhuang
Day 5: Visit Mogao Caves in the morning · Free time or rest at the hotel at noon · Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring in the afternoon · Dunhuang
Day 6: Dunhuang · Taste Hami Melon in Guazhou · Jiayuguan Fortress · Zhangye Danxia · Zhangye
Day 7: Zhangye · Biandukou Scenic Area · Cross Qilian Mountain · Qilian Zhuoer Mountain · Qilian
Day 8: Aruo Monastery · Qilian Grassland · Menyuan Rapeseed Flower Sea · Daban Mountain distant view of Gangshika Snow Peak · Xining
The picturesque scenery has always been an earthly paradise in people's hearts since ancient times. The overlapping mountains, the green waters and mountains, the poetic and picturesque scenery still remain. Immersed in such an environment, we seem to be able to integrate with nature and feel the magic and charm of nature.
青海旅游当地向导祁军
Qinghai Dunhuang Tour: Customizable Self-Drive Tour on the Qinghai-Gansu Grand Loop
"You must visit the Northwest at least once, feel the evening breeze of Chaka Salt Lake, bask in the desert sun, and experience the shimmering Buddha light on the plateau: a place that makes people nostalgic! Some say: the first time you leave your heart there, and the second time you find it back."
The most enchanting part of the Qinghai-Gansu Grand Loop is Qinghai Lake. Qinghai Lake is located in the northeastern part of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. It is the largest inland lake in China and the highest saline lake. The water is crystal clear, and cattle and sheep leisurely graze on the grasslands by the lake, creating an unparalleled pastoral scene. Especially in the early morning and evening, the lake and sky reflect each other, presenting a spectacular view that showcases the magical charm of nature.
Qinghai Lake + Chaka Salt Lake + Water Yadan + Emerald Lake + Qaidam Basin + Mogao Caves + Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring + Jiayuguan + Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park + Qilian Zhuo'er Mountain + Menyuan
Eight days and seven nights free travel itinerary as follows:
Day 1: Xining · Qinghai Lake · Chaka Salt Lake. Stay in Chaka Town
Day 2: Chaka · Cross Qaidam · Dachaidan Emerald Lake, stay in Dachaidan
Day 3: Dachaidan · G315 National Highway · Water Yadan · South Eight Immortals Ghost City · Dachaidan
Day 4: Dachaidan · Oil Town · Yangguan Ruins · Dunhuang
Day 5: Morning visit to Mogao Caves · Free time or hotel rest at noon · Afternoon visit to Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring · Dunhuang
Day 6: Dunhuang · Guazhou · Jiayuguan · Zhangye Danxia · Zhangye
Day 7: Zhangye · Biandukou Scenic Area · Cross Qilian Mountains · Qilian Zhuo'er Mountain · Qilian
Day 8: Aruo Monastery · Qilian Grassland · Menyuan Rapeseed Flower Sea · Daban Mountain distant view of Gangshika Snow Peak · Xining
青海旅游当地向导祁军
Qinghai Dunhuang Travel Car Rental Route Recommendation.
Spring rain is like silk, peach and plum blossoms are fragrant. Spring is a dream that many people are obsessed with, whether it is joyful, sorrowful, tranquil, or splendid.
Qinghai, see the mirror of the sky in China
Chaka Salt Lake
Some say that Chaka Salt Lake is a place you must visit in your lifetime because it fulfills everyone's longing for distant places.
During the summer vacation, Chaka Salt Lake is crowded with tourists, but in April, it is peaceful. The continental climate of the plateau creates different beautiful scenery in Chaka Salt Lake throughout the year, and April is the most beautiful time for Chaka Salt Lake.
Qinghai Lake—Chaka Salt Lake—Water Yadan—Aiken Spring—Dunhuang Eight-Day Tour Route Recommendation
D1. Xining---Daotang River-Qinghai Lake--Chaka
D2. Chaka Salt Lake--Emerald Lake—Dachaidan
D3. Dachaidan-Qinghai Yadan Landform—Water Yadan——Mangya
Xitai Jiner Lake
D4.—Devil's Eye【Aiken Spring】—Stay in Mangya City
Mangya Emerald Lake
D5. Mangya City-Nine-story Demon Tower——Dunhuang【Stay in Dunhuang】
Dunhuang Ancient City
D6. Afternoon (watch the sunset) free activities in the evening 【Stay in Dunhuang】
Mogao Grottoes
Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring
Shazhou Night Market
D7. Depart from Dunhuang--Guazhou----head to Zhangye Danxia in the afternoon【Stay in Zhangye】
Jiayuguan
D8. Zhangye Danxia—Biandukou—Qilian Grassland---【Distant view of Gangshika Snow Mountain】--Menyuan Million Mu Rapeseed Flower Sea【Best time to view rapeseed flowers is mid-July】--Crossing Daban Mountain--Xining
青海旅游当地向导祁军
Qinghai Autumn Everywhere (Qinghai Tourism)
What are the fun attractions in Qinghai? Must-visit attractions in Qinghai tourism.
Many people travel to Qinghai mainly for the popular Qinghai Lake and Chaka Salt Lake. When it comes to Qinghai, most tourists think of these two attractions. However, there are many hidden beautiful sceneries in the small corners of Qinghai. Today, I will introduce some fun attractions in Qinghai and recommend some must-visit attractions for Qinghai tourism.
1. Chaka Salt Lake
Known as the "Mirror of the Sky" in China, it is one of the popular "internet-famous attractions" in Qinghai. Many tourists come here to take artistic photos, walking barefoot on the salt lake and capturing their reflections. It is very picturesque. Be sure to visit on a sunny day when the blue sky and white clouds are reflected in the lake, creating a stunning view.
2. Qinghai Lake
If you want to see the stunning scenery of Qinghai Lake, you must visit in July or August. During this time, the vast expanses of flowers bloom along the lakeshore, creating an endless beautiful view. When you actually visit this attraction, you will be moved by the vast blue lake. The lake water changes color with the weather and light, presenting different hues, which is simply breathtaking.
3. Menyuan Rapeseed Flowers
As the name suggests, this place is for viewing rapeseed flowers. Although there are many places to see rapeseed flowers, the Menyuan Rapeseed Flowers are very spectacular. Millions of acres of rapeseed flowers bloom together, creating a golden sea that stretches as far as the eye can see. The viewing spot is in Qingshizui Town, where the rapeseed flowers are relatively concentrated. July is also the best time for rapeseed flower tourism.
4. Emerald Lake
Emerald Lake is a newly popular "internet-famous attraction." It is a well-known spot that looks like a natural "emerald." It is no less beautiful than the "Mirror of the Sky" Chaka Salt Lake. The lake water is clear and blue, and under the sunlight, it looks like emerald. Hurry and visit while it is still a "virgin land."
5. Nianbao Yuze
Nianbao Yuze is definitely a paradise for enthusiasts and lovers. You have to see the scenery here with your own eyes to understand its beauty, especially in July and August when wildflowers, lakes, and snow-capped mountains create an absolute landscape. The most famous small attractions are Fairy Lake, Nianbao Main Peak, and Demon Lake. Taking photos here will definitely result in stunning pictures.
These are some fun attractions in Qinghai. The scenery in these places is truly beautiful. Traveling here will not disappoint you. You will keep taking photos non-stop because beautiful scenery must be preserved in pictures.
For more details, consult the shop link customer service.
青海旅游当地向导祁军
2020 Qinghai-Gansu Grand Loop Travel Guide
Over two thousand kilometers of the Qinghai-Gansu Grand Loop, passing through grasslands, lakes, snow-capped mountains, traversing the vast Gobi Desert, and crossing the Qaidam Basin. Experience the vastness of the desert, watch the sunset over Danxia landforms, observe the Milky Way, admire thousand-year-old murals in the Mogao Caves, and see vast flower fields at the foot of snow peaks... From then on, you will fall in love with the vastness and magnificence of the Northwest.
Qinghai-Gansu Loop
6-Day Itinerary Overview:
D1——Xining-Tar Temple-La Ridge Mountain-Qinghai Lake-Chaka Town
D2——Chaka Salt Lake-Emerald Lake-Dachaidan
D3——Dachaidan-Yadan Devil City-Dangjin Mountain-Akesai-Yangguan-Dunhuang
D4——Dunhuang-Mogao Caves-Mingsha Mountain-Crescent Spring-Dunhuang
D5——Dunhuang-Guazhou-Jiayuguan-Zhangye Danxia
D6——Zhangye-Biandukou-Qilian Grassland-Menyan-Heiquan Reservoir-Xining
7-Day Itinerary Overview
D1——Xining-Tar Temple-La Ridge Mountain-Qinghai Lake-Chaka Town
D2——Chaka Salt Lake-Emerald Lake-Dachaidan
D3——Dachaidan-Yadan Devil City-Dangjin Mountain-Akesai-Yangguan-Dunhuang
D4——Dunhuang-Mogao Caves-Mingsha Mountain-Crescent Spring-Dunhuang
D5——Dunhuang-Guazhou-Jiayuguan-Zhangye Danxia
D6——Zhangye-Biandukou-Qilian Grassland-Qilian Zhuoer Mountain
D7——Qilian-Arou Temple-Menyan-Gangshika Snow Peak (Daban Mountain View)-Heiquan Reservoir-Xining
Preparation Before Departure
01, Please prepare all kinds of sunscreen items, sunscreen, sunscreen spray, sunscreen hat, sunscreen clothing. If you don't want to turn from a fairy or handsome guy into a walking tan, please be well-prepared for sun protection.
02, Be prepared for possible altitude sickness. If you are not confident in your physical condition or think you might experience altitude sickness, please take Rhodiola ten days before departure. There are two types of this medicine: capsules and herbal tea. Regardless of which one you buy, please take it at least ten days in advance. To reiterate: so-called anti-altitude sickness medicine only alleviates symptoms and does not prevent altitude sickness entirely.
03, Prepare various medicines just in case:
01: American ginseng lozenges, Bufferin, to control headaches caused by altitude sickness. Personal use of ibuprofen granules, suitable for both adults and children, is very effective for headaches.
02: Glucose oral solution is a must. Severe headaches from altitude sickness can cause serious vomiting, and drinking glucose can replenish energy.
03: Cold medicine, anti-diarrhea medicine, fever medicine, anti-inflammatory medicine, motion sickness medicine, etc.
04, Prepare warm clothing. The weather in the highlands can change rapidly. One moment you might be worried about sunburn, and the next moment you might be cold. So, please prepare at least one piece of warm clothing.
05, Prepare your ID card and wallet, as these are indispensable on the road.
06, Bring a power bank for your phone, a phone charger, spare batteries for your camera, and spare memory cards for your phone. The scenery along the way is so beautiful that you might run out of battery before reaching the next scenic spot.
Transportation:
Best Ways to Reach Xining
[Plane] In the summer of 2016, Xining added more than 20 routes, covering major cities nationwide. Most coastal cities need to transit through Xi'an to fly to Xining, while major provincial capitals can fly directly to Xining. There are more flights to Lanzhou than to Xining, and the cost is 20%-40% cheaper.
[Train] There are many trains to Xining from all over the country, and the Baolan high-speed railway opened in 2017, making it convenient to transfer from Xi'an by high-speed train.
However, the best way to reach Xining is to fly to Lanzhou first and then travel from Lanzhou to Xining.
Two Ways to Travel from Lanzhou to Xining
1. Bus: There are airport buses from Lanzhou Zhongchuan Airport to Xining, costing 100 yuan per person. There are buses at 12:30, 15:30, and 19:30, taking about 2.5 hours. They can drop passengers off at Ximen, Huitong Hotel, or any allowed stop in Xining city center.
2. Intercity Train: The intercity high-speed train from Zhongchuan Airport to Lanzhou West Station (yes, it departs from Zhongchuan Airport to Lanzhou West Station) runs frequently from 7:28 AM to 10:34 PM, taking about 40 minutes. From Lanzhou West to Xining, the high-speed train runs frequently from 7:40 AM to 8:55 PM, taking about 1 hour and 10 minutes.
Tips: If you fly directly to Xining, you can choose the airport shuttle service at Xining Airport, which uses regular vehicles to safely deliver you to your destination without haggling or being overcharged.
西北大环线向导杨静
Qinghai Travel Guide
Qinghai is vast, with long distances and large spans between attractions, requiring car rentals or carpooling for travel. You can also choose other options.
Qinghai is vast, and currently, the best routes in Qinghai and Gansu are known as the small loop and the big loop. The must-see attractions are mostly included in the big loop.
The big loop is highly recommended, followed by the small loop.
The big loop and the small loop are two classic routes for exploring the beautiful Qinghai. Both self-driving and car rentals are good choices. Here are the routes, itineraries, attractions, and food recommendations for the big loop and small loop:
Special Note: Both the big loop and small loop routes need to be optimized; otherwise, the itinerary will be too rushed!
1. Small Loop
Summary: The small loop is the best route for exploring Qinghai. The travel time ranges from 3 to 4 days. Due to space constraints, only the 3-day tour is discussed here. Other travel routes can be further explored.
2. Big Loop
Summary: The big loop is the best route for exploring Qinghai and Gansu. The travel time ranges from 6 to 8 days. Due to space constraints, only the 6-day tour is discussed here. Other travel routes can be further explored.
青海旅游当地向导祁军
Qinghai Travel Route Recommendation
Whether you are heading to Xinjiang, Tibet, Dunhuang, or Lhasa, Qinghai is a must-pass place for people traveling to the west. Most of the land there is Gobi and snow-capped mountains, not suitable for human habitation. However, Qinghai's cultural and geographical resources are very rich, and it is still a paradise for climbers and the brave.
Qinghai is a fusion of Xinjiang and Tibet, known as the "Roof of the World." The eastern part of Qinghai is known as the "Key to the Heavenly River," "Throat of Haizang," "Barrier of the Golden City," "Rush of the Western Regions," and "Throat of the Jade Pass," highlighting its important geographical location.
Latest Qinghai-Gansu Loop Seven-Day Tour: Qinghai Lake—Chaka Salt Lake—Chaerhan Salt Lake—Water Yadan—Dachaidan Emerald Lake—Dunhuang Mogao Caves—Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring—Zhangye Danxia
The itinerary is as follows:
Day 1: Xining·Qinghai Lake·Chaka Salt Lake
Day 2: Crossing Qaidam·Chaerhan Salt Lake·Golmud
Day 3: Golmud·G315 National Highway (U-shaped Road)·Water Yadan·Qinghai Yadan·Dachaidan
Day 4: Dachaidan Emerald Lake·Petroleum Town·Dunhuang
Day 5: Visit Mogao Caves in the morning·Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring in the afternoon·Dunhuang
Day 6: Dunhuang·Guazhou taste Hami melon·Jiayuguan Pass·Colorful Danxia·Zhangye
Day 7: Zhangye·Biandukou Scenic Area·Qilian Grassland·Menyuan·Dabanshan distant view of Gangshika Snow Peak·Xining
Highlights of the itinerary:
① Qinghai Lake, Chaka Salt Lake, Emerald Lake, Yadan landform, Chaerhan Salt Lake, Water Yadan, Dunhuang Mogao Caves, Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring, Zhangye Colorful... A panoramic tour of Gansu and Qinghai, leaving no regrets.
② The itinerary is known for its diversity of scenic and cultural landscapes, including snow-capped mountains, grasslands, flower seas, lakes, Gobi, Yadan landforms, Danxia colorful hills, herds of cattle, sheep, and horses, and other natural landscapes.