Life is a long journey, and you must take a road trip to Qinghai at least once.

📖📖 Itinerary
Day 1: Lanzhou West Station

Day 2: Hanting Youjia Hotel (Xining Dashi Branch) → Kumbum Monastery (Ta'er Temple) → Riyue Mountain

Day 3: Qinghai Lake Lanchen Bieyuan (Erlangjian Scenic Area Branch) → Qinghai Lake · Heima River → Xiangpi Mountain → Chaka Salt Lake - Chaka Sky Mirror Scenic Area

Day 4: Vienna Hotel (Delingha Xinyuan Road Branch) → Xiaochaidan Lake → Qarhan Salt Lake → Dachaidan Emerald Lake Tourist Area → Xinchen Sichuan Restaurant

Day 5: Dachaidan Hongyuan Hotel → U-shaped Highway → Dongtai Jinair Lake → Ussut Watery Yadan Geological Park → Dunhuang Biluo Xinghe Homestay

Day 6: Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring → Mogao Caves

Day 7: Home Inn Business Hotel (Jiayuguan Highway Exit Donghu Scenic Area Branch)

Day 8: Home Inn Business Hotel (Lanzhou Yongchang Road Zhangye Pedestrian Street Branch)

🚗 Must-Visit Spots:
Qarhan Salt Lake
Ussut Watery Yadan Geological Park
Xiaochaidan Lake
Mogao Caves

💥 Important Notes:
- In June, Qinghai has large temperature differences—cold and hot—so dress warmly.
- Dongtai Jinair Lake is disappearing soon. It's incredibly beautiful, with water colors unlike any other attraction. It's free, so stop by if you pass by.
- The watery Yadan area has *tons* of mosquitoes, but it's absolutely stunning! The detour was totally worth it. Rumor has it this place may vanish soon too—don’t miss out!
- Xiaochaidan Lake is free—just pull over by the roadside and walk to see it. The crystal-clear water against the distant snowy mountains 🏔️ is breathtaking.
- Instead of Erlangjian, we visited the free Heima River at Qinghai Lake. The lake is free, but the shuttle bus costs money. The water is super blue, but the lakeside wind is freezing—sniffles guaranteed!
- Personal ranking of Qinghai’s lakes: Qarhan Salt Lake > Ussut Watery Yadan > Xiaochaidan Lake > Qinghai Lake > Emerald Lake > Chaka Salt Lake
- The entire drive is filled with scenic views. Leave work and worries behind, savor this short escape, and you’ll find beauty everywhere with the right mood.