The Azure Dream Closest to the Sky

4-Day Qinghai Lake Ring Road Travel Guide🏞️｜Chasing That Shade of Blue on the Plateau

If you're tired of city life, why not embark on a healing journey to Qinghai Lake! This 4-day itinerary will take you around the pearl of the plateau, where you can feast your eyes on snow-capped mountains, grasslands, and lakes all at once～

🚗Itinerary:
Day1: Xining - Riyue Mountain - Daotang River - Qinghai Lake Erlangjian Scenic Area
The moment you arrive, you'll be greeted by the refreshing plateau air. The prayer flags at Riyue Mountain fluttering in the wind are truly awe-inspiring! The Daotang River really flows in the opposite direction of normal rivers. Arrive at Qinghai Lake in the evening—don't forget a thick coat, as the winds by the lake are fierce🌪️

Day2: Heima River Sunrise - Chaka Salt Lake - Cycling Along the West Lake Road
Wake up at 5 AM for the sunrise—it's chilly but absolutely worth it! Visit Chaka Salt Lake on a sunny day and bring a bright-colored dress for stunning reflection photos. Rent a bike in the afternoon for a leisurely ride, and be sure to try the yak yogurt from local Tibetan homes～

Day3: Gangcha Grassland - Bird Island - Sand Island
Sleep in today! The rapeseed flower fields at Gangcha Grassland are perfect for photos, especially in July-August. Bird Island is now protected and off-limits, but you can still spot plenty of migratory birds. Sand sledding at Sand Island is thrilling—just be prepared to eat some sand, haha!

Day4: Jinyintan Grassland - Atomic City - Return to Xining
The last day is more relaxed. Jinyintan Grassland is covered in wildflowers, creating a romantic atmosphere. Atomic City showcases China's nuclear weapons development history—quite fascinating!

🍴Food Recommendations:
▫️Local Hot Pot: A Qinghai specialty, featuring tender and chewy yak meat
▫️Hand-Torn Lamb: No gamey taste at all—even those who don't usually eat lamb will love it
▫️"Dog Pee" Pancake: Strange name but incredibly delicious fried bread
▫️Yak Yogurt: Ultra-rich and freshly made by Tibetan families—don't forget to add sugar

⚠️Important Notes:
1️⃣Qinghai Lake is at 3,200m altitude—avoid strenuous activity on the first day and bring Rhodiola rosea
2️⃣Huge temperature differences between day and night! Pack both down jackets and T-shirts
3️⃣Sunscreen! Sunscreen! The plateau UV rays are no joke
4️⃣Don't casually photograph local herders' yaks—you might get charged
5️⃣Book private cars in advance—our local driver was super nice and even helped us bargain