Qinghai Travel Guide: A Journey to Plateau Lakes, Mirror of the Sky, and Sacred Tibetan Culture

🌊 Must-Visit Attractions 1️⃣ Qinghai Lake (China's largest inland saltwater lake) Cycling around the lake (Best scenery: Heimahe → Bird Island section) July rapeseed flower fields (near Erlangjian Scenic Area) Hidden experience: Access the lakeside via herders' trails (Cost: ¥10-20, more authentic than the main entrance) 2️⃣ Chaka Salt Lake (Mirror of the Sky) Visit on sunny days before 10 AM or after 4 PM to avoid glare Wear bright long dresses and rent rain boots (¥10) to walk into the lake Newly developed: Chaka No.1 Scenic Area: Fewer tourists, purer mirror effect 3️⃣ Ta'er Monastery (Sacred site of Tibetan Buddhism) Golden Roof Hall (Birthplace of Master Tsongkhapa) Butter Sculpture Hall (Intangible cultural heritage, winter works are the most exquisite) Taboos: Photography is prohibited inside the halls; visit in a clockwise direction 4️⃣ Qilian Mountain Grassland Swiss-like scenery in the East: Zhuo'er Mountain Danxia Landform (¥80 entrance fee) Arou Monastery (A quieter Tibetan monastery compared to Ta'er Monastery) 5️⃣ Emerald Lake (Dachaidan) Off-the-beaten-path alternative: Less crowded than Chaka, with Tiffany blue/emerald green waters Stunning drone photography (Altitude: 3148 meters) 🚗 Classic Route Plan Day 1: Xining → Ta'er Monastery → Qinghai Lake (Stay overnight at Heimahe) Day 2: Qinghai Lake sunrise → Chaka Salt Lake → Return to Xining Day 3: Xining city (Dongguan Mosque, Qinghai Provincial Museum) Day 4: Xining → Qilian Grassland → Zhangye Danxia (Stay overnight) Day 5: Jiayuguan → Dunhuang Mogao Caves Day 6: Mingsha Mountain Crescent Lake Day 7: Return trip