Qinghai May Day Travel Plan: Super Detailed Guide!

🏔️ Scenic Routes and Time Arrangements

Day 1: Xining City Tour
- Morning: Arrive in Xining, check in to hotel (recommended to stay in West District or Central District for convenient transportation)
- Noon: Taste local cuisine (recommend "Ma Zhong Restaurant" for hand-pulled lamb and yogurt)
- Afternoon: Visit [Dongguan Grand Mosque] and [Qinghai Provincial Museum]
- Evening: Explore [Mojie Night Market], try Niangpi (cold skin noodles), sweet fermented rice and other snacks

Day 2: Xining → Qinghai Lake (about 2.5 hours by car)
- Morning: Depart for Qinghai Lake, briefly stop at [Sun and Moon Mountain] on the way
- Noon: Dine at restaurants around Qinghai Lake (recommend Qinghai Lake naked carp, but check if it's legally farmed)
- Afternoon: Visit [Qinghai Lake Erlang Sword Scenic Area], bike or walk along the lake to enjoy the scenery
- Evening: Check in to hotels or guesthouses around Qinghai Lake (recommend Heima River Township for convenient sunrise viewing the next day)

Day 3: Qinghai Lake → Chaka Salt Lake (about 3 hours by car)
- Early morning: Watch sunrise at Heima River
- Morning: Drive to [Chaka Salt Lake], visit the "Mirror of the Sky"
- Noon: Lunch in Chaka Town (recommend local hotpot)
- Afternoon: Return to Xining or proceed to Qilian County (depending on your itinerary)

Day 4: Qilian County Tour (optional)
- Morning: Visit [Zhuoer Mountain], enjoy the Danxia landform
- Noon: Lunch in Qilian County (recommend yak meat soup)
- Afternoon: Visit [Arou Monastery] or [Qilian Mountain Grassland]
- Evening: Return to Xining or stay overnight in Qilian

Day 5: Xining → Kumbum Monastery (about 40 minutes by car)
- Morning: Visit [Kumbum Monastery], experience Tibetan Buddhist culture
- Noon: Lunch at restaurants around Kumbum Monastery
- Afternoon: Return to Xining, buy local specialties (recommend highland barley wine, dried yak meat)
- Evening: End the trip, return home

🚗 Transportation Arrangements
- Xining City: Taxi or bus (Xining buses accept Alipay QR code payment)
- Qinghai Lake, Chaka Salt Lake: Recommend chartered car or self-driving (car rental about 300-500 yuan/day)
- Qilian County: Chartered car or coach (Xining to Qilian coach takes about 4 hours)

💡 Notes
1. Large temperature differences in Qinghai during May Day holiday, sun protection during the day, keep warm at night (down jacket essential)
2. Altitude sickness: Avoid strenuous exercise, prepare rhodiola or oxygen bottles
3. Respect local religious customs (e.g., no short skirts or photography at Kumbum Monastery)
4. Wear bright-colored clothes for photos at Chaka Salt Lake

💰 Budget Reference (5 days 4 nights/person)
- Transportation: Chartered car about 1,500 yuan, public transportation 500 yuan
- Accommodation: Economy 800-1,200 yuan, comfortable 1,500-2,500 yuan
- Tickets: Qinghai Lake 90 yuan + Chaka 60 yuan + Kumbum Monastery 80 yuan ≈ 230 yuan
- Dining: 80-150 yuan daily

Qinghai, a place that captivates the heart, its vastness, purity, and magnificence will be deeply imprinted in your memory. Hope this guide helps you embark on an unforgettable journey! 🌈