Things to do in Haiyan

Erlangjian is the main scenic area of ​​Qinghai Lake, shaped like a long sword entering the lake. Visitors can take a cruise to explore the heart of the lake and also get a close look at the ruins of a torpedo launching test base. The facilities are well-developed, making it suitable for first-time visitors, but prices are high during peak season due to crowds.

"In that faraway place, there is a good girl... I would like to wander on the grassland and follow her..." Many people can hum this familiar tune. It is said that Mr. Wang Luobin met the beautiful girl Zhuoma on the Jinyintan grassland and created this widely circulated song. This place was once a little-known mysterious restricted area. It gave birth to the first atomic bomb and hydrogen bomb of New China and was China's first nuclear weapons research and development base. The western part of the Jinyintan grassland is adjacent to Qinghai Lake, and the northeast is surrounded by Qilian Mountains. It has an average altitude of 3,200m and is divided into Jintan and Yintan. A small river flows through it. On the grass beach on the north bank, a kind of golden and fragrant small flower called Jinlumei blooms, so it is called Jintan; on the grass beach on the south bank, it is dominated by the silver-white Yinlumei, which is called Yintan. Every summer, wild flowers bloom, and Jinhua white flowers bloom into patches, like golden and silver grass beaches, so the Jinyintan grassland got its name.

This was absolutely the most delightful accommodation of my Qinghai trip! The panoramic skylight in the stargazing room was simply amazing; lying in bed at night, I could see a sky full of stars and the Milky Way – the view was unbeatable. The room was a standalone Tibetan-style wooden cabin, offering excellent privacy, with floor-to-ceiling windows on two sides directly overlooking the grasslands and snow-capped mountains – the scenery was truly soothing. The service was warm and attentive, and breakfast included authentic Tibetan tsampa and butter tea. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to lie down and gaze at the stars!

Jinsha Bay is about 20 kilometers away from the Qinghai Lake East Ring Road. There is a group of golden sand dunes stretching on both sides of the road. This small desert area is the Qinghai Lake Jinsha Bay. The main feature here is to watch the golden desert scenery. The blue lake behind the sand dunes is a fantastic and beautiful scenery.

When I was driving around Qinghai Lake in early August, I was told that the rapeseed flowers were over and it was impossible to see them. Inadvertently, I passed by a small village with only a few families. The moment I looked up, I was stunned, as if I had walked into an oil painting. Although this rapeseed field is not big, it has a very good picture. The two big trees in the middle are particularly colorful, and the pink and yellow cottages are dotted in between. Against the backdrop of blue sky and white clouds, the golden rapeseed flowers are particularly brilliant. There is only one word left to describe it: "Wow"!

Overall, it is very good, a good patriotic education base, where you can see the work of the founding fathers, and there are some professional introductions. It is highly recommended. In addition, you can see pikas in this place, which is a surprise.

The scenery is beautiful, but the overall value for money is average; the boat tour is a one-way ticket. The signage for transportation is unclear and confusing. Other scenery around Qinghai Lake is also very good; unless absolutely necessary, you can skip this scenic area. The surrounding viewing platforms offer spectacular views.

Scenery: It's worth going to Riyue Mountain just for the scenery in picture 1. It's on the main loop and the scenery is truly unique. The rocks at the base have Tibetan characters written on them; although I can't understand them, they still feel very sacred and auspicious. Impressions: Overall, besides picture 1, there's not much else to see. The surrounding environment is similar to picture 4. The wind there is really strong. If you go in winter, be sure to wear a mask, hat, sunglasses, and gloves.

It's a very quaint ancient town with a relaxed commercial atmosphere. Many local residents live there, and many ancient buildings are free to enter, such as the City God Temple and the Confucian Temple. Prices are very reasonable: incense is 3 yuan, butter lamps are 1 yuan, and small souvenirs are 10 yuan. Walking through the ancient town after the rain is very pleasant, and it's not crowded.