Live Your Best Lives
Now that I've gotten to the point, let's start with a couple of official sentences: Qinghai Lake is located approximately 130 km west of Xining, with a circumference of 360 km and an area of 4,400 km². It sits at an altitude of 3,260 meters above sea level. It is my country's largest inland, saltwater lake, formed by the fault collapse between the Datong and Riyue Mountains of the Qilian Mountains and the Nanshan Mountains of Qinghai. Qinghai Lake is called "Kukuzhuoer" in Mongolian and "Cowinbu" in Tibetan, both meaning "blue lake."
I believe that no one who reads this guide is unfamiliar with Qinghai Lake, and most people have a Northwest dream, and one of the stops in this Northwest dream must be visiting Qinghai Lake. So I don’t need to say much about the charm of Qinghai Lake. Anyway, you just need to know that no matter what, you must visit this most beautiful lake in our motherland.
A 360-degree tour of Qinghai Lake reveals breathtaking scenery everywhere, each with its own unique character. This unique and practical guide offers a comprehensive overview of the lake from four major directions: east, south, west, and north. Find the travel style that suits you best.
Qinghai Lake is located about 130 km west of Xining, at the junction of Gangcha County, Gonghe County and Haiyan County.
The entire Qinghai Lake is surrounded by towering mountains: Datong Mountain to the north, Riyue Mountain to the east, Qinghai Nanshan Mountain to the south, and Rubber Mountain to the west. The following map will intuitively show the location of Qinghai Lake.
This is the key point we need to focus on. As a popular tourist destination in China, Qinghai Lake is more or less well-known, and relevant guides are easily available online, but most of them are general. This Qinghai Lake guide tries to break away from the conventional and systematically explain the entire Qinghai Lake through four lines: east, south, west and north, giving you a full 360-degree understanding of Qinghai Lake.
The route begins in Xihai Town in the north and ends in Jiayi Village in the south, passing Jinyin Beach, Sand Island, Jinsha Bay, Hudong Sheep Breeding Farm, Erhai Lake, Daotang River, and Jiayi Temple. You can enjoy Jinsha Bay, Erhai Lake, and Daotang River by car without stopping. There's a restaurant at Hudong Sheep Breeding Farm where you can stop for a meal, and many people stop here for lunch during the Qinghai Lake Cycling Tour. Jiayi Temple, located about 1 km south of Jiayi Village, is a small temple, distinguished by its prayer hall, which is covered in thangkas. Inside, a towering, open-air, cast-bronze, gilded Buddha statue is magnificent and awe-inspiring. Those interested in Tibetan Buddhism should plan a visit.
The east route mainly focuses on introducing the two most representative attractions: Jinyintan and Shadao.
(Photo taken on the east line of Qinghai Lake)
"In that faraway place, there lives a beautiful girl... I wish to wander the grasslands, by her side..." Many people can undoubtedly hum this familiar tune. It's said that Mr. Wang Luobin met the beautiful Zhuoma on the Jinyintan Grassland, which inspired him to compose this widely circulated song. This area, once a little-known and mysterious forbidden area, gave birth to the first atomic and hydrogen bombs of the People's Republic of China and served as China's first nuclear weapons research and development base.
The Jinyintan Grassland borders Qinghai Lake to the west and the Qilian Mountains to the northeast. With an average elevation of 3,200 meters, it is divided into the Golden Beach and the Silver Beach. A small river flows through it. The grasslands on the north bank are home to the fragrant, golden flowers of the Potentilla fruticosa, earning it the name Golden Beach. The grasslands on the south bank are dominated by the pure, silvery Potentilla siliqua, earning it the name Silver Beach. Every summer, wildflowers bloom, and the white flowers of the Golden Flower create a golden and silvery landscape, giving the grassland its name.
Tips:
Tickets: Scenic spot pass 160 yuan/person.
Reference time: 1-3 hours
Best travel season: In summer, the grasslands are green and wildflowers are in full bloom. June to August is the best travel season of the year.
Although it is currently closed due to environmental remediation, it has to be said that this is a unique landscape along the Qinghai Lake. The desert and the lake are perfectly combined here. This kind of landscape cannot be seen elsewhere along the Qinghai Lake.
Sand Island, located in the northeastern part of Qinghai Lake, is the largest island within the lake and a designated national key scenic spot. Formed by wind-blown sand, its sand dunes resemble crescent-shaped structures floating on the surface, creating a spectacular spectacle within the lake. Sand Island boasts two freshwater lakes and a reed wetland, creating a striking contrast to the vast expanse of Qinghai Lake at the end of the desert. As Qinghai Lake lies to its west, it's also the perfect spot to enjoy the sunset over the lake. Hopefully, it will reopen soon.
(Photo taken at the Qinghai Lake Sand Island Scenic Area)
Tips:
Tickets: Peak season (April-October): 70 yuan/person. Off-season (October-April): 35 yuan/person.
Reference time: 1-3 hours
Best travel season: The desert landscape is the main attraction and is not greatly affected by seasonality. Theoretically, you can visit it all year round. The temperature is low in winter, so it is recommended to visit it in spring, summer and autumn.
The southern route is the most popular tourist destination around Qinghai Lake. If you don't have time for an in-depth tour of the entire lake, then exploring some of the attractions along the southern route is a good option. This is the perfect spot for regular check-ins. Erlangjian (Base 151), Qinghai Lake's most famous attraction, is located on the southern route. It's also the primary growing area for Qinghai Lake rapeseed flowers, offering a breathtaking view of both the lake and the flowers in summer. The Qilian Snow Mountains lie to the north of Qinghai Lake, creating a sea of rapeseed flowers in the foreground, Qinghai Lake in the middle, and the Qilian Snow Mountains in the background – a classic photo opportunity.
The southern route of Qinghai Lake runs from Jiayi Village in the east to Heimahe Township in the west, passing through rapeseed fields, the Erlangjian Scenic Area, and Jiangxigou Township. As the southern route is the most popular tourist area of Qinghai Lake, there are numerous hotels and restaurants to choose from, mostly concentrated around the Erlangjian Scenic Area. The southern route also features a dedicated bicycle greenway, perfect for experiential cycling, and most hotels offer bicycle rentals.
Located 151 kilometers from Xining, it's also known as Base 151. It's one of Qinghai Lake's most important attractions. The Erlangjian Scenic Area, located on the southern side of Qinghai Lake, is the lake's main scenic area. This area, constructed by enclosing an area on the southern side of the lake, features a shopping mall, restaurants, and hotels, all of which feature distinctive Tibetan architecture. Tibetan Buddhist prayer flags and sculptures adorn the surrounding buildings. Other recreational activities include speedboat rides, dune buggies, and a horse racing track.
The scenic area is divided into two main areas. One is a large square and street next to the road, home to numerous buildings and a cruise ship dock. The other is a narrow, pointed peninsula extending more than ten kilometers into the lake. Its sword-like shape gives it its name, and the peninsula is home to a number of entertainment options. A typical visit to Erlangjian begins with a walking tour from the main gate, exploring the lakeside square and streets, visiting the lake and Tibetan architecture, followed by a cruise, and finally enjoying the entertainment options on the peninsula. A tour of the entire scenic area takes approximately two to four hours.
Currently, the Erlangjian Scenic Area is primarily visited by tour groups; independent travelers and backpackers rarely venture in. Many areas surrounding the scenic area offer grasslands leading to the lake. These areas typically offer access for around 5-10 yuan per person, a fee much lower than the entrance fee at Erlangjian. The rapeseed fields on these grasslands are stunning in the summer, and lakeside activities include horseback riding, yak riding, and photo opportunities with the Qinghai Lake stone tablet. These are all affordable and quiet. The main difference between the Erlangjian Scenic Area and other destinations lies in the availability of boat tours and recreational facilities, which are more expensive. The area is often overcrowded, making it a bustling and commercialized destination. It is not recommended for those traveling independently or on a budget, and those not interested in boat trips.
(Photo taken at the entrance of Erlangjian Scenic Area)
(Photo taken in Erlangjian Scenic Area)
Tips:
Tickets: Regular ticket: RMB 100 (April 16th - October 19th, Monday to Sunday). Regular ticket: RMB 50 (October 20th - April 15th, Monday to Sunday). Inter-city ticket: RMB 30 per person
Time reference: 2-3 hours
Best Travel Season: Qinghai Lake is accessible year-round, with most visitors concentrated in summer, when rapeseed blossoms blanket the shores and temperatures are relatively comfortable. Winter is also a great time to visit, as Qinghai Lake is less crowded and beautifully covered in ice and snow. It's also a habitat for migratory birds, and tens of thousands can be seen along the shores.
Personally, I prefer the west route. First, even during the peak summer tourist season, there aren't crowds of tourists here. Second, although there aren't large fields of rapeseed flowers here, it's the closest to Qinghai Lake. A large section of the West Lake Road runs along the lake, just a few dozen meters away. And because Qinghai Lake is on its east side, this is also the best place to photograph the sunrise over Qinghai Lake.
The western section of Qinghai Lake stretches from Heimahe Township in the south to Quanji Township in the north, passing through Garila Village, Shinaihai Township, and the Bird Island Scenic Area. Garila is home to numerous tent camps and business hotels, though accommodations are more basic than those in the Erlangjian area. However, the area offers close-up views of the Qinghai Lake sunrise, attracting photographers, drivers, and cyclists. However, due to environmental improvements at Qinghai Lake in 2018, many hotels and campsites were demolished, so the 2019 accommodation situation remains uncertain.
Bird Island, located off the western ring road of Qinghai Lake, consists of two islands: Haixipi Island (larger) and Haixishan Island (smaller). It's also known as Egg Island because of the eggs scattered throughout the island during nesting season. Bird Island is a bird paradise near Qinghai Lake. Every year from April to June, hundreds of thousands of birds flock to the island during the transition from spring to summer, creating a spectacular scene. It's a key attraction for tourists seeking to enjoy the beauty of Qinghai Lake.
It should be noted that the best time for bird watching on Bird Island is from April to June each year. At other times, there are not many birds on the island, and the scenery is similar to other places in Qinghai Lake, so it is not worth buying a ticket to enter.
(Photo taken at Bird Island, Qinghai Lake)
Tips:
Tickets: 115 yuan from May to October, 75 yuan from November to April.
Reference time: 2-3 hours
Best travel season: May to July is the best season for bird watching, and the best time to watch swans is between November and February of the following year.
The North Line is easier to overlook than the other three lines because the North Line of National Highway 315 in Qinghai Lake is not a highway along the lake. Vehicles driving on the North Line basically cannot see Qinghai Lake, and they mostly travel between towns.
The northern section of Qinghai Lake stretches from Quanji Township in the west to Xihai Town in the east, passing through Gangcha County and Ganzihe Township. Fairy Bay Scenic Area is the most famous attraction on the northern section of Qinghai Lake.
Located on the north shore of Qinghai Lake, the Fairy Bay Scenic Area blends highland wetlands, stunning lakeside and mountain scenery, grand sea worship ceremonies, Tibetan customs, and myths and legends. Fairy Bay is home to the whooper swan, a nationally protected species, where thousands of swans roost during the autumn and winter months. From June to October each year, the Fairy Bay wetlands bloom with vibrant flowers of varying colors, creating a sea of blossoms resembling a carpet woven by nature.
(Photo taken at Fairy Bay Scenic Area, Qinghai Lake)
(Photo taken at Fairy Bay Scenic Area, Qinghai Lake)
Qinghai Lake is a cycling paradise that many cyclists dream of. It is home to the world-famous Lakeside Road Race. There are generally two types of cycling around Qinghai Lake: cycling around the lake and experiential cycling.
The cycling tour around Qinghai Lake is more suitable for professional cycling enthusiasts and requires a certain amount of physical reserves and bicycle repair skills. It usually starts from the cycling base camp in Xihai Town and circles Qinghai Lake clockwise. The whole journey is 360km and can be completed in 4 days, with a daily cycling of about 90km. On the first day of the ride, you can check in at the Erlangjian Cycling Station, on the second day you can check in at the Shinaihai Township Cycling Station, on the third day you usually stay at the cycling station in Gangcha County, and on the fourth day you go to Xining to complete the entire Qinghai Lake ride.
Of course, if you lack cycling experience or skills, a cycling greenway along the southern section of Qinghai Lake is also a great option. There's a dedicated cycling greenway here, and in the summer, with rapeseed blossoms everywhere and the blue sky, white clouds, and clear lakes, it's a fantastic way to simply cycle and enjoy the stunning scenery of the sea and sky blending into one.
Lake sacrifices, also known as sea sacrifices, are a popular tourist attraction around Qinghai Lake in the past two years. Understanding this traditional custom requires a journey through its historical origins. Qinghai Lake, a pearl nestled amidst the vast snow-capped plateau, has been admired by people for millennia. This article systematically explores the origins, history, rituals, and contemporary developments of the Qinghai Lake Sea Sacrifice, striving to trace the historical trajectory of this practice. Qinghai Lake Sea Sacrifice is not only a folk custom steeped in religious overtones, but also a cultural phenomenon, encompassing numerous folk customs and expressing people's aspirations for harmonious coexistence with nature.
Today, tourists visiting Qinghai Lake can, under the guidance of believers, light butter lamps, turn prayer wheels, pray for blessings, hang prayer flags, pile up Mani stones, and throw treasure vases to complete a series of lake worship rituals. China-TravelNote also strives to allow travelers to experience these special experiential activities firsthand.
The China-TravelNote Qinghai Lake route is dedicated to pursuing an in-depth experiential approach, integrating special activities such as Qinghai Lake cycling and Qinghai Lake sacrifices into the scenic and cultural journey.
Huangyu (also known as naked carp) migrate upstream from the rivers that flow into the lake to spawn in freshwater rivers. The Shaliu, Quanji, and Buha rivers are the three main routes for the migration of Huangyu.
This is a life journey fraught with hardships and dangers. During their migration, the huangyu (Huangyu) face numerous challenges, including river dams, strandings in tributaries, and bird predation. This can be described as a near-death struggle. Knowing it's impossible, yet still doing it—this is a reproduction at the cost of one's life, a new life blossoming from sacrifice. Perhaps the grandeur and tragedy of life lies within the huangyu's repeated migrations.
It is important to remind you here that you must not eat the湟鱼 from Qinghai Lake. In recent years, due to the destruction of the ecological environment and large-scale hunting by humans, the湟鱼 resources are facing the risk of depletion. The local government has ordered a fishing ban. Currently, selling湟鱼 is illegal. Please exercise self-discipline.
(Photo taken near Quanji Township on the northern line of Qinghai Lake)
Many people who come to Qinghai Lake want to see the entire lake with their own eyes, but because Qinghai Lake is too vast, you usually cannot see the entire lake from the lakeside. If you want to enjoy a large area of Qinghai Lake, I suggest you go to Nanshan on the south line of Qinghai Lake.
This is the best vantage point for overlooking the southern shore of Qinghai Lake. The Qinghai Lake Nanshan Mountains, also known as the Kukunuoer Ridge, form the watershed between the Qinghai Lake and Chaka Lake basins. The southernmost branch of the middle Qilian Mountains, it is located in northeastern Qinghai. A fold-block mountain range, it is named Nanshan because of its location south of Qinghai Lake. In Tibetan, it is called "Saierqin Riji," meaning "Golden Mountain," and in Mongolian, it is called "Kukunuoer Ridge," meaning "Blue Lake Ridge." It forms the boundary between the Qinghai Lake Basin and the Gonghe Basin.
Due to the winding mountain road and the narrow road, it is recommended to rent a car or drive yourself. It is located 3 kilometers south of the Sinopec gas station opposite the Erlangjian Scenic Area of Qinghai Lake.
China-TravelNote's Qinghai Lake photography route specially arranges chartered vehicles to reach the Nanshan shooting spot, offering a unique perspective to take in the entire Qinghai Lake.
Qinghai Lake's scenic spots are scattered around the lake, so there's no single centralized location for accommodation. The main areas for accommodation are around Erlangjian Scenic Area, along the West Ring Road, Heimahe Township, Xihai Town, and Gangcha County. Accommodation options vary, including hotels, youth hostels, family hotels, and RV campsites. In summer, Tibetans even set up tents near the lake.
Among them, Erlangjian Scenic Area, West Ring Road and Heima River are the places chosen by most tourists.
The population living around Qinghai Lake is mainly Tibetan and Hui, and their diet is mostly Tibetan and halal. The main delicacies include hand-pulled lamb, yogurt, noodles, and yak jerky lamps. If you stay in a Tibetan hotel or a Tibetan home, you can also taste Tibetan delicacies such as tsampa, yak yogurt, and butter tea.
Of course, with the rise of tourism, there are also many Han Chinese restaurants, which mainly serve Sichuan cuisine with rich flavors. They are basically available in every town along the way. Due to the inconvenience of transportation, the overall food prices in the Qinghai Lake area are relatively high.
The China-TravelNote Northwest Deluxe Route allows guests to stay in high-end specialty hotels by the Qinghai Lake, enjoy high-end specialty Tibetan cuisine by the Qinghai Lake, and experience a variety of Tibetan activities.
The Qinghai Plateau is cool in the summer, with a large temperature swing between day and night. From July to August, daytime highs are only around 20°C, while nighttime temperatures dip to around 5°C, so it's important to bring plenty of warm clothing. Also, bring sneakers, sunscreen, moisturizer, sunglasses, lip balm, cold and stomach medicine, a thermos, and a parasol. Women can also bring a brightly colored long skirt and shawl for stunning photos.
Qinghai Lake is located at an altitude of 3,200 meters. Most people don't experience altitude sickness, and even if they do, it's very mild and resolves at a lower altitude. Those with high blood pressure or heart disease are advised to exercise caution when traveling there. Generally healthy people shouldn't worry about altitude sickness when visiting Qinghai Lake. Just be careful not to engage in strenuous exercise. It's also recommended not to shower on the same day as prolonged bathing or using overheated water can easily lead to hypoxia.
Tibetan butter tea isn't suitable for mainland Chinese stomachs, so avoid drinking too much. There's a local custom of refilling empty bowls of butter tea for guests, so it's recommended to always keep them two-thirds full. Tibetan barley wine is quite intoxicating, so drink it in moderation. When dining at halal restaurants, be careful not to bring in outside food other than beef or mutton, especially pork. Avoid alcohol and try to avoid wasting food.
Qinghai Province is a multi-ethnic and multi-religious province, where each ethnic group has its own customs and practices, and each sect has its own rules. When traveling to Qinghai, we should respect the customs and religious beliefs of the local ethnic groups and learn about the most basic religious culture and taboos before setting off.
Because the distances between attractions are long and the time spent in the car is long, preparing a headrest can effectively help stabilize the head, relieve motion sickness, and make sleeping in the car more comfortable.
Qinghai and Beijing both use Beijing time, but they are not in the same time zone. In fact, there is still a time difference of more than an hour. In the summer, it is still bright at 9 or 10 o'clock in the evening. Travelers need to plan their travel time reasonably.
Mobile phone signals in Qinghai are basically fully covered, which is much better than in Xinjiang. Basically, there are 4G signals, so there is no need to worry about mobile phone signal problems.
We are grateful to Qinghai Lake for displaying its unreserved beauty to the world, allowing us to enjoy it with all our hearts and minds. Therefore, we hope that each of us can visit it with gratitude and awe for nature. It is a pure land for humanity, and we don't need to contribute to it; just take a few photos with us, and those will be the most beautiful memories.
