Day 1 Xining → Sun Moon Mountain → Qinghai Lake (Nanshan, Horseback Riding) → Chaka Town
·morning
The driver will pick you up at your door between 7:30-8:30 in the morning (based on the time notified the day before). To avoid you having to get up early to meet up, we will pick you up at your hotel. Please keep your mobile phone open. The driver will contact you in advance. Please check out in advance and pack your luggage to start your journey.
We will drive to Qinghai Lake, see the Sun and Moon Mountain and Daotang River on the way, listen to the story of Princess Wencheng's journey to Tibet, and feel the change of landscape from the Loess Plateau to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
Qinghai Lake, China's largest inland saltwater lake and a shining pearl on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, is a place where rapeseed flowers bloom in the summer (July to early August). The vast expanse of rapeseed flowers along the shores of Qinghai Lake is a dream destination for many. We will travel to the Nanshan Mountains of Qinghai Lake, overlooking the lake where the water and sky merge into one.
Special Notes:
As the road leading to Nanshan has been frequently blocked due to traffic control recently, the alternative plans are as follows: 1. Visit the nearby Erlangjian Scenic Area (a lakeside scenic area on the shores of Qinghai Lake, expenses are at your own expense); 2. Proceed directly to the next itinerary to Qinghai Lake Horse Farm.
·afternoon
In the afternoon, we will go to a horse farm by the Qinghai Lake, wear helmets and protective gear, and start horseback riding at Qinghai Lake. We will say goodbye to the low-key scissor hand gesture and finally get rid of the constraints of being held by others while riding. We will experience the joy of riding on the grassland. The equestrian equipment will also instantly increase your charm index and make you like it on your circle of friends.
Then we followed the lakeside road, crossed the Rubber Mountain, and headed to Chaka Town to check in.
Day 2 Chaka Salt Lake → Qinghai Lake → West Ring Road → Gangcha → Binggou Forest → Qilian
·morning
In the morning we went to [Chaka Salt Lake] to admire her charming appearance after waking up. Chaka Salt Lake is known as China's "Uyuni" and is one of the main salt producing areas in my country. The lake surface is covered with crystal clear salt blocks like a mirror. Under the sunlight, the water and sky appear to be one color. Reality and fantasy are intertwined, as if in the sky. Chaka Salt Lake has a kind of warmth that penetrates the heart and makes people feel refreshed.
We will take the Chaka Salt Lake train to the depths of the salt lake, and then go down into the salt lake to pose wildly.
We'll then drive along the West Ring Road, a section of Qinghai Lake untouched by tourists. The scenery is pristine, with grasslands teeming with cattle and sheep on the left and the majestic Qinghai Lake on the right. We'll stop at the newly constructed Dongger Observation Deck on the West Ring Road, allowing you to experience Qinghai Lake up close. (If the Dongger Observation Deck is closed, you can visit Heima River as an alternative.)
·afternoon
In the afternoon, we arrived at a tributary on the north shore of Qinghai Lake to see the migratory spectacle of the Huangyu (Huangyu), a fish native to Qinghai Lake, and witness the miracle of life. (Huangyu migration occurs approximately from late May to mid-July each year.)
Then we will arrive at the coastal Tibetan city of Gangcha, visit Tsangyang Gyatso Square, read popular love poems, learn about the legendary love story of the Sixth Dalai Lama, walk from Huangyu Square to Gratitude Pagoda, and take a series of literary and artistic blockbusters with the Sanskrit sound, wind and rain in Linka as the background.
Departing from Gangcha, you'll pass through the Ice Valley Forest, weaving through glacial gullies and valleys, enjoying breathtaking scenery reminiscent of the Swiss countryside beneath the Alps. This relatively undeveloped area offers a natural oxygen bar deep in the plateau, where you might find yourself captivated by the breathtaking scenery.
Arrive in Qilian County, known as the "Little Switzerland of the East," in the evening and check into your hotel. Enjoy some free time in Qilian County to experience the charm of this small town.
Day 3 Qilian → Zhuoer Mountain → Colorful Danxia → Zhangye
·morning
After breakfast, we visited the Zhuoer Mountain Scenic Area. To the left, we saw the Danxia landform, and to the right, the breathtaking Swiss scenery. The panoramic view of snow-capped mountains and forests resembled a computer desktop. Zhuoer Mountain is a natural scenic area that combines Danxia landforms, snow-capped mountains and forests, grasslands and pastures, and fields of flowers and wheat.
Then we passed through the vast Qilian Mountain grassland, where you can see small rivers trickling on the grassland and geraniums blooming in summer, which is a pleasant and leisurely place. The Qilian grassland was called Tianshan by the ancient Xiongnu people. It has been said since ancient times that there is "a good pasture at the foot of the Qilian Mountain". The abundant grass and water here and the picturesque scenery once fascinated Marco Polo. It is recognized as one of the six major grasslands in China.
·afternoon
At noon, we enjoyed a special Tibetan meal on the Qilian grassland and tasted the plateau specialties. In the cheerful atmosphere, our journey reached its climax.
After lunch, we will depart from Qilian County, cross Biandukou and enter the Hexi Corridor.
We will arrive at Zhangye Danxia Scenic Area in the afternoon. Zhangye Danxia landform is famous for its intertwined lines and colors. We will avoid the strong sunlight at noon and enter the Danxia Scenic Area before sunset, leaving enough time to enjoy the charming sunset of Zhangye Danxia.
After enjoying the sunset, we headed to Zhangye City for our overnight stay.
Day 4 Zhangye → Dafo Temple/Menyuan Rapeseed Flowers → Biandukou → Qilian Mountain Grassland → Xining
·morning
After breakfast, proceed to [Dafo Temple] or [Menyuan Yuanshan Flower Viewing Terrace] (From July 1st to July 31st, go to Yuanshan Flower Viewing Terrace; otherwise, go to Zhangye Dafo Temple)
The Zhangye Dafo Temple Scenic Area is a significant historical site complex along the Silk Road and a landmark of the historic and cultural city of Jin Zhangye. It houses the Dafo Hall, a Western Xia Buddhist temple, and serves as a Buddhist art museum integrating architecture, sculptures, murals, carvings, scriptures, and cultural relics.
The Menyuan rapeseed flower fields are in full bloom from July to early August each year (the viewing period may vary depending on the climate). During the rapeseed flower season, visitors can enjoy China's spectacular rapeseed flower fields from the Menyuan Yuanshan Flower Viewing Platform. Even if the clouds are not thick, they can still see the Gangshika Snow Mountain.
·afternoon
Then we passed through Biandukou and entered the Qilian Mountain grassland again, heading south along the grassland.
Along the way, you can see the Gangshika Snow Peak, which is 5,254.5 meters above sea level and is the highest peak in the eastern section of the Qilian Mountains. The top of the peak is covered with snow and shining silver, like a jade dragon.
Arrive in Xining around 5:30 PM and disband. Transfer to your hotel in the city (only within the city limits) or the train station, where your trip ends. (If the return trip is affected by traffic conditions, please adjust your return ticket in a timely manner.)
The recommended return time is to schedule the train from Xining Station after 20:00 and the flight after 21:00
