Haibei Three-Day Travel Guide

—— Explore the Qilian Grassland and Menyuan Flower Sea, Encounter the Plateau Sacred Lake
📅 Itinerary Overview
📍 Destination: Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province (Menyuan, Qilian, Gangcha)
⏰ Duration: 3 days 2 nights
💰 Budget: 6000 RMB (2 people traveling together, 3000 RMB per person)
🚗 Transportation: Private car/Carpool (SUV recommended, about 800 RMB/day)
🏔️ Key Attractions: Menyuan Rapeseed Flower Sea, Zhuo'er Mountain, Qilian Grassland, Qinghai Lake Cliff

🗓️ Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Xining → Menyuan Rapeseed Flower Sea → Qilian County
🚗 Transport: Xining → Menyuan (about 2.5 hours, 800 RMB/day)
🎫 Tickets: Menyuan Rapeseed Flower Sea Viewing Platform (60 RMB/person, best in July-August)
🏨 Accommodation: Qilian County (Recommended: Qilian Wukuang International Trade Hotel, about 400 RMB/night)
🍽️ Meals: Lunch (Menyuan, about 50 RMB/person), Dinner (Qilian, about 80 RMB/person)
📌 Highlights:

Menyuan Rapeseed Flower Sea — Golden ocean in July, stunning aerial views (recommended Yuanshan Viewing Platform or Qingshizui Town)
Dabanshan Viewing Platform — Overlook Menyuan Basin and snow-capped mountains
Arrive in Qilian County in the evening, visit Qilian Night Market (roast lamb, yak yogurt)

Day 2: Qilian County → Zhuo'er Mountain → Qilian Grassland → Gangcha County
🚗 Transport: Qilian → Zhuo'er Mountain → Gangcha (about 4 hours total, 800 RMB/day)
🎫 Tickets: Zhuo'er Mountain (80 RMB/person, includes sightseeing bus)
🏨 Accommodation: Gangcha County (Recommended: Gangcha Fanyu Tibetan City Linka Hotel, about 350 RMB/night)
🍽️ Meals: Lunch (Qilian Grassland Tibetan cuisine, about 60 RMB/person), Dinner (Gangcha, about 70 RMB/person)
📌 Highlights:

Zhuo'er Mountain — "Little Switzerland of the East," red rocks, green grass, and snow mountains in one frame
Qilian Grassland — Horse riding/archery experience (about 50-100 RMB/person)
Arou Dasi — Serene Tibetan Buddhist temple (free)
Arrive in Gangcha County in the evening, enjoy the scenery along the north shore of Qinghai Lake

Day 3: Gangcha → Qinghai Lake Cliff → Xining
🚗 Transport: Gangcha → Qinghai Lake Cliff → Xining (about 3.5 hours, 800 RMB/day)
🎫 Tickets: Qinghai Lake Cliff (20 RMB/person, a hidden gem)
🍽️ Meals: Lunch (by Qinghai Lake, about 60 RMB/person)
📌 Highlights:

Qinghai Lake Cliff (also known as "Sea Sacrifice Platform") — Cliff overlooking the deep blue lake, few people and beautiful views
Huangyu Fish Migration Viewing Platform (June-August) — Watch Huangyu fish swim upstream in Qinghai Lake
Return to Xining, passing by the Atomic City Memorial Hall (free, site of China’s first atomic bomb development base)

💰 Budget Breakdown (Total for 2 people)

Transportation (3 days private car)
2400
800 RMB/day, SUV or 7-seat business vehicle

Accommodation (2 nights)
750
Economy hotels in Qilian + Gangcha

Tickets
320
Menyuan Viewing Platform + Zhuo'er Mountain + Qinghai Lake Cliff

Meals
600
6 meals over 3 days, about 100 RMB/person/day

Experiences
300
Grassland horse riding, Tibetan costume photo shoot, etc.

Others (oxygen tank/snacks)
300
Backup

Total
6000
3000 RMB per person

⚠️ Travel Tips

Best season: July-August (rapeseed flower sea), September-October (autumn scenery), some attractions closed in winter.
Plateau sun protection: Strong UV, essential sunglasses, hat, SPF50+ sunscreen.
Clothing advice: Summer clothes during the day + windbreaker, down jacket/softshell needed in mornings and evenings.
Road conditions: Many mountain roads, bring motion sickness medicine if needed; Qinghai Lake Cliff is a dirt road, SUV recommended.

🌟 Optional Upgrades

Qinghai Lake Cycling: Rent bicycles in Gangcha County to cycle along the lake (about 50 RMB/hour).
In-depth tour: Add Bayi Glacier (advance notice required) or Jinyin Beach Grassland.

📸 The snow mountains, grasslands, and lakes of Haibei are a photographer’s paradise! 🏔️🌼