Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Jul)

Adventurous Road Trip

We spend 2.5 hours on the road to get to Qinghai Lake via Sun-moon mountain, the largest salt water lake of China. There you may feel that the air is so fresh and the sunshine is so warm it makes you feel as if you are in paradise. You can see groups of sheep, yaks, blue sky and white clouds. We dressed up in traditional Tibetan clothing and enjoyed some of the activities they had. The main scenic area we visited was the Erlangjian Scenic Area. You can enjoy the charming lake, take a boat cruise, horse riding and bike riding which is also available around the lake. #qinghailake #horseriding #tibetanculture #yak #coffee #freshair #sunshine #blueskies #xining

Seven-day Tour of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Loop

Qinghai Lake Erlang Sword Scenic Area 👍 🗓 Itinerary: D1, Xining, Qinghai Lake, Chaka Salt Lake, stay in Delingha 🗓 Itinerary: D2: Delingha~Chaka Salt Lake~Jade Lake~Stay in Da Qaidam 🗓 Itinerary: D3: Da Qaidam---U-shaped Highway 315---Dongtaijineer Lake---Water Yadan---Stay in Da Qaidam 🗓 Itinerary: D4: Da Qaidam---Heidushan Mountain--Petroleum Town------Stay in Dunhuang (Desert Camping) 🗓 Itinerary: D5: Dunhuang Mogao Caves---Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring---Dunhuang Night Market (Encounter Dunhuang Live Performance) Stay in Dunhuang 🗓 Itinerary: D6: Dunhuang Guazhou---Jiayuguan---Zhangye Danxia Sunset----Stay in Zhangye 🗓 Itinerary: D7: Zhangye---Biandukou Scenic Area---Menyuan Rapeseed Flower Field (July, August)---End of the trip in Xining First day of the trip, casual photography by Qinghai Lake

Qinghai Lake Travel Guide

🌊Qinghai Lake, known in Tibetan as "Cuowenbu" meaning "blue sea", is crystal clear and stretches as far as the eye can see. Some say Qinghai Lake is a "sapphire" 💎 left by nature in the inland, and it is also the "Jade Pool" mentioned in legends, associated with the Queen Mother of the West, or "Wangmu Niangniang". The average altitude is 3196 meters⛰️ 🌊Qinghai Lake is the largest inland saltwater lake in China, also known as Xianhai or Freshwater Sea. After the Northern Wei Dynasty, it was called Qinghai, characterized by low temperatures, large diurnal temperature variation, scarce and concentrated rainfall, long sunshine hours, and strong solar radiation. Winters are harsh and long, while summers are cool and brief🌞 📍Detailed address: Qinghai Lake Scenic Area, Gonghe County, Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai 🔶Preparation for the trip: 🪪Documents: ID card, student ID (discount for tickets) 🧴Hygiene: Skincare products, cosmetics, high SPF sunscreen 🧥Clothing: Summer clothes + light jacket + windbreaker (check the weather three days before departure) ⚡️Electronics: Charger, power bank, selfie stick🤳 💊Medicine: Rhodiola, cold medicine, gastrointestinal medicine, motion sickness medicine 👌Others: Umbrella🌂, sunglasses🕶️, hat🧢, some cash💵 🗓Itinerary: 🎈Day 1: Arrive in Xining and check into a hotel🏨 🎈Day 2: Xining➡️Riyue Mountain➡️Erlangjian Scenic Area of Qinghai Lake➡️Chaka Salt Lake➡️Chaka Town 🎈Day 3: Chaka Town➡️Cross the Qaidam Basin (Gobi style)➡️Emerald Lake➡️Dachaidan 🍲Recommended food: Yogurt🧈Kang Pot🥘Yak Milk🥛Local Hotpot🫕Stuffed Pancake🥠Boiled Yak Meat🥩 📝Tips: 🌈Bring some dry food🍞 and water💦 for the long journey to replenish energy💪🏻 🌈Wear polarized sunglasses🕶️The sunlight☀️ reflected on the salt lake is very strong and can cause damage to the eyes⚠️ 🌈Be sure to take photos with the lambs🐑, 5 yuan per person💰 🌈Wear sky blue, white, or ethnic shawls to match the blue sky, white clouds, and lake, and you'll get amazing photos in minutes!📸 🌄While you're young, be sure to visit the great Northwest See the roughest romance💕 Deserts, Gobi, grottoes, Danxia landforms, snow-capped mountains🏔️, grasslands🌿, lakes🌊 everything is just right‼️

Qinghai Lake - A Pearl on the Plateau.

【Introduction】: Qinghai Lake Scenic Area in Qinghai Province is located in the northeastern part of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, northwest of Xining City, and south of Gangcha County. It is 136 kilometers away from Xining City. Erlangjian Scenic Area is located on the south bank of Qinghai Lake. With its unique geographical location in Qinghai Lake, and its ecological natural resources mainly consisting of grasslands, beaches, and animals, Erlangjian has become a pearl of the Qinghai Lake tourist area. 🕘【Opening Hours】: Open all year round, 24 hours a day 💴【Ticket Prices】: Prices are adjusted according to peak and off-peak seasons ⛺【Activities】: Bird Island, Erlangjian, Fairy Bay, Golden Sand Bay, watching Huangyu fish migration at the fishery 🚌【Transportation Guide】: Charter a car or drive by yourself 👉【Itinerary】: Visit Chaka Salt Lake nearby, stay overnight in Chaka Town or Heimahe Town 🧡【Preparation】: Prepare for sun protection and stay hydrated

Overnight Strategy for a 9-Day Tour of the Qinghai-Gansu Grand Loop

Qinghai-Gansu Grand Loop | Nanny-Level Route Guide Sharing Used to the routine city life, why not experience the grandeur of the northwest with its 'vast desert and long river with a round sunset'? This place has all the terrains and landforms in the world: lakes, mountains, Danxia landforms, deserts, neighbors, hills, grasslands, plateaus, stone forests... A trip to the northwest is equivalent to traveling ten times. I have compiled a travel guide for everyone here! Northwest Third Pole Travel Takes You to the Northwest 💁‍♀️9 Days and 8 Nights Northwest Tour Route D1: Arrive in Xining - Free 24-hour airport/station pickup - Check-in at hotel D2: Riyue Mountain - Daotang River - Qinghai Lake - Chaka Salt Lake - Chaka Town (overnight) D3: Chaka - Xiaochaidan Lake - Chaerhan Salt Lake - Dachaidan (overnight) D4: Dachaidan - U-shaped Road - Water Yadan - Dachaidan (overnight) D5: Emerald Lake - Heidushan - Oil Town - Dunhuang (overnight) D6: Dunhuang - Mogao Caves - Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring - (Dunhuang) D7: Dunhuang - Jiayuguan - Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park - Zhangye (overnight) D8: Zhangye - Qilian Grassland - Distant view of Gangshika Snow Peak - Menyuan Rapeseed Flower - Xining D9: Xining - Various destinations (free airport drop-off) 💞Scenic Spot Introduction 🌟Qinghai Lake: The sunrise and sunset are extremely beautiful, and there are golden rapeseed flowers by the lake in spring. 🌟Chaka Salt Lake: Be sure to take stunning reflection photos in the legendary Sky Mirror. 🌟Emerald Lake: Float on the emerald green lake in a transparent boat, aerial photography is amazing. 🌟Mogao Caves: The charm of the thousand-year-old cave murals is endless, and the guide's introduction is also very vivid. 🌟Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring: Take photos riding a camel in a red dress, absolutely stunning. 🌟Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park: The Danxia landform in the oil painting is vividly presented in front of you, super shocking. ~ 🙆🏻‍♀️Notes: ○ How to prevent and deal with altitude sickness ○ Avoid strenuous exercise when you first arrive at the plateau ○ Do not drink alcohol or smoke when you first arrive at the plateau, wait until you adapt ○ Do not go to the plateau if you have a cold, as it can easily cause pulmonary edema ○ The northwest loop is located on the plateau, with strong sunlight and ultraviolet rays, so take sun protection measures ○ The temperature difference between morning and evening in the northwest is large, so keep warm

Biggest salt water lake in China

Qinghai Lake, nestled in China's Qinghai Province, is the largest saltwater lake in East Asia, covering approximately 4,600 square kilometers. Its beauty lies in its serene, azure waters and the surrounding Tibetan Plateau's majestic landscapes. At an elevation of 3,205 meters, the lake is a vital ecological hotspot, home to diverse avian species and unique aquatic life. The lake holds cultural significance for Tibetans and the local Tibetan-Qiang people. It's a site for various religious ceremonies and festivals. However, environmental concerns, like shrinking water levels due to climate change and pollution, pose significant challenges to its preservation. Conservation efforts are underway to safeguard this remarkable natural treasure. #timetotravel #China #nature

Turquoise Eye of Qinghai Province

Tibetan plateau AKA "Roof of the World" is the highest in the world and Qinghai lake (青海湖) is the largest saltwater lake in China. 🌊Have you noticed that we're speaking in superlatives? It's not a coincidence. Qinghai lake (青海湖) definitely deserves to be be called the sea of the West due to its size, vastness, and the fact that it resembles a sea in certain aspects. It's a saline waters boasts incredible variety of wildlife at an altitude of 3205m. "On the plateau's crest, a jewel so grand, Qinghai Lake's waters stretch across the land. Azure skies embrace its tranquil face, A mirror of nature's serene embrace." 😍 Tips and tricks: If you want to visit Qinghai lake without any tour operators or rental cars you can easily get there from the Xining bus station (西宁汽车客运中心站). Several buses go to Qinghaihu (hu = lake) every day starting from 8AM. 🚌The drop off location is called 青海湖国家重点风景名胜区. That's the closest scenic area to the Xining city. One way ticket costs 60RMB. 💸The bus will wait for the passengers at the scenic area's parking lot for around 3 hours before heading back to the Xining bus station. To make sure you have a seat you can buy round way tickets at the Xining bus station. Total cost will be 120RMB per person. 🙃 #summerbreak #SpinTheWorld #qinghailake #xining #summervacation

Qinghai lake - the biggest in China

Only taking into consideration that it's the biggest, it's worth visiting. Yet I think Scenic area tickets are overpriced. There's not much to do in the area apart from taking pictures, riding a boat (3 types, start from 100yuan) and feeding seagulls. Still it's worth visiting, though it feels much much better if you drive a car in Qinghai (we took a shared taxi from Xining to Qinghai lake) and overall had pretty much headache with transportation in this province. Almost all the wild areas around are privately owned and you need to pay to enter (or, say, ride a horse, 200yuan per 3km round-trip to the lake🙄). This numerous fences and herds of tourists made it difficult for me to fully enjoy the beauty of the lake and surrounding landscapes (I just ran into the mountains 😂) . Also it was pretty hard to find a hotel accommodating foreigners (beginning of August). Only Chinese food (quite pricey) Still it was a great trip, I'd like to come back driving a car😁 #qinghai #qinghailake

Laji Pass and the breath-taking view!

Laji Pass is one of the most breath-taking scenic area in Xining! You can stop-by when you are planning to visit the Qinghai Lake. This area is situated almost 4000 meters above sea level. The scenery is really amazing including the mountains covered with ice and the colorful banners as part of the local culture and tradition. Don't miss this opportunity to visit Qinghai! #DiscoverChina #Qinghai

Laji Mountain | The mountain does not see me, I go to see the mountain

Of course, I have to come to Laji Mountain, each season has its unique beauty. The first time I saw the snow mountain, I was very excited. Now in November, you must wear a down jacket to go up to Laji Mountain, the wind is very strong, and the scenery is certainly worth it. Riyue Mountain is the place where the legend says Princess Wencheng broke her mirror, and it is also a must-pass place for the Northwest Grand Loop, with an altitude of 3520 meters. The five-color prayer flags here are the never-withering flowers on the plateau.

Laji Mountain is a point where the altitude of the northwestern ring road is high. In the rainy days, the wind and rain fall into the winter. The lamb was warm and unbearable, and it could not stop. Travel, the weather is very important, it determines what kind of scenery you can see, and can even affect your mood of the day. When you meet a cloudy day, you can say that a lot of big movies can't be photographed. But as an unknown travel blogger, how can you be beaten by these people? It is very important to learn to find music. Don't care too much to look forward to a certain day. The scenery, because in the end, the impression that is the deepest is always on the road. In the face of the climate of different days in Qinghai, just play, there is a warm jacket, the mood can be adjusted, it is not a joke.

When I came to the grassland and walked into the herdsmen's house in the village of Dazha, the succulent mutton cooked in the traditional copper stove was the best hospitality. The hand-picked mutton is the traditional diet of the Qinghai herdsmen. Because it is directly grabbed by the hand, it is not too greasy, the meat is tender and not sloppy. It is different from the taste of the mutton in the hinterland of the mainland. It is a food that has to be tasted in Xining, Qinghai. one. As the Romans do, they come to the grasslands. It is the best way to eat large bowls of meat. In addition to lamb, blood sausage is also a must-try. Blood sausage, salt, diced green onion, a small amount of water and flour into the sheep blood, adjusted to plasma. Wash the sheep's lungs from the sheep's intestines three or four times. After washing, pour the plasma into the sheep's intestines, mix them with your hands, cook on the pot, mix with scallions, chives and so on. Most of the previous yurts were made of sticky hair, but the relative disassembly was not so convenient. Most of the herders today are replaced by cloth. In the yurt, there is a hot steaming stove, and there is a big fire. When the herdsmen see us, we warmly invite us to sit down and give us a pure kumiss.

Guide National Geopark

Guide National Geopark's Ashigong Colorful Peaks scenic area is a cultural tourism destination where natural landscapes dominated by Danxia landforms and the cultural landscape with earth culture as its connotation complement each other. It is located in Ashigong Village, Ganaerjiang Township, Guide County, hence the name. After entering the scenic area, you can first take a sightseeing bus (30 yuan per person) to Nuwa Gorge, then walk 1.4 kilometers, and continue on the sightseeing bus to the exit.

Don't step on a landmine! Guide National Geopark

Guide National Geopark boasts landscapes comparable to the colorful Danxia of Zhangye, yet it is much less known, devoid of the throngs of tourists, evoking a sense of insignificance in the vastness of the world. The sky is high, the earth is wide, and strange rocks stand tall. The passage of time has left its marks on the canyons, and stepping into nature, one feels the insignificance of humanity. 📌 The park is vast, but there are few places to visit. I don't really recommend taking the tour bus inside the park, more on that later. 📌 Essential items: hat, water, comfortable shoes, sunglasses, sunscreen The weather was clear and sunny on the day I visited, with intense sunlight and dazzling brightness. It wasn't too hot, but the strong wind at the top of the slope could be quite chilling, so be prepared. ❗Special Attention❗ The whole journey takes about 2 hours. If you are with a tour group, the guide will rave about the park's tour bus, saying the park is huge and you need to take their electric car to get out in two hours, but you can get off at any time. They claim there are staff everywhere in the park, but in reality, there aren't. I didn't see many tourists throughout the journey. The sightseeing car will drop you off halfway, and you have to walk the rest of the way, which is not friendly for those who don't want to walk. The electric car ticket 💰60r is not worth it. Although the scenery here is quite nice, and it's supposed to be natural, there's too much human intervention, making it feel like a half-baked artificial attraction. They say there are staff everywhere in the park, but when you actually need to find someone, there's no one around, and many places are off-limits, with security even scolding you???

Guide to the Ashikong Qicai Peaks - A breathtaking Danxia landform

🌈🌈When it comes to Guide, it is also a famous place in Qinghai, with good climate conditions throughout the year, known as the 'Little Jiangnan of Qinghai'. Even in winter, Guide is not as cold as other areas. The saying 'The Yellow River is clearest in Guide' is well known, and indeed, in Guide, one can see the clear Yellow River. But another famous attraction in Guide is the Ashikong Qicai Peaks Scenic Area🏔🏔. The Danxia landform there is a natural wonder, spectacular, and also a relic of the geological evolution of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. I have also visited the Qicai Danxia in Zhangye, and I think the scenery here is just as magnificent. How to play🏕🏕: The fully developed scenic area is not large, and generally, it takes about 3 hours to enjoy the entire area. The scenic area is divided into three major parks: Ashikong Park, Yellow River Valley Park, and Mawu Gorge Park. There are shuttle buses connecting each attraction within the scenic area. Attractions include Nuwa Gorge, Xuanyuan Gorge, and Wentian Gorge, among which I think the most spectacular is Nuwa Gorge. In the valley, it's as if there are little figures embedded in the mountains. There is also a trail around Nuwa Gorge, which I highly recommend for fully experiencing the magic of the Danxia landform. Transportation tips🚙🚙: The scenic area is about 70 kilometers from Xining, which is roughly a one and a half hour drive. It is about 17 kilometers from Guide County, and you can either drive yourself or join a day tour group. The price for a chartered car is about 500-600 yuan. What to eat🥣🥣: There are many farm-style restaurants in Guide County, offering local dishes in a rural setting. I recommend Qingyuan Farm and Xiaobai Farmhouse, where you can enjoy local chicken, potatoes, and various beef and mutton dishes. Tickets📕📕: Currently, the ticket price for the scenic area is 95 yuan, which includes the shuttle bus. The opening hours are from 9:00 to 17:00. Tips🌹🌹 1. The ultraviolet radiation is very strong in the plateau area, so be sure to take precautions against sunburn. 2. The best time to visit the scenic area is in autumn and summer, and good weather is necessary to take beautiful photos.

Guide (Ashgong) National Geological Park

Guide (Ashgong) National Geological Park 1 Located in Guide County, which has the reputation of 'Plateau Little Jiangnan' in Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture The Danxia landform here is beautiful and spectacular, not inferior to Zhangye 2 The Danxia landform in the scenic area is long-standing and peculiar, the mountain body presents seven colors, known as 'Seven-color Peak Cong Xuanyuan Houtu'. 3 Mainly composed of thirteen earth culture theme squares and Danxia canyons, Nuwa Gorge, Thousand Buddha Gorge, Tongtian Gorge, Seven-color soil, etc. are rare geological relics and natural wonders The Yellow River in Guide County is extremely clear, which is also the origin of 'The Yellow River is clear in Guide all over the world.'

Introduction to the Qinghai-Gansu Grand Loop: Zhangye Danxia Landform

Zhangye Danxia Landform, a place that captivates the imagination, is hailed as one of the most beautiful outdoor filming locations in the world. The unique landform and vibrant colors resemble a natural painting. Here, you can experience the magical charm of nature and admire the magnificent Danxia landform scenery. The formation of Zhangye Danxia Landform is related to geological movements and the colors of the rocks. Due to the different colors of the rocks and the changes in the angle of sunlight, a splendid visual effect is created. Here, you can see various shapes and sizes of earthen forest stone pillars, colorful hills, and canyons, each with its unique beauty. Recommended Route: Qinghai, China; Gansu, China Xining—Qinghai Lake—Chaka Salt Lake—Dachaidan Emerald Lake—Dunhuang Mogao Caves—Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring—Zhangye Danxia Landform—Qilian Grassland Six Days Five Nights Tour Day 1: Xining—Sun and Moon Mountain—Daotang River—Qinghai Lake—Rubber Mountain—Chaka Salt Lake (Overnight) Day 2: Chaka Salt Lake—Qaidam Basin—Dachaidan Emerald Lake—Dachaidan (Overnight) Day 3: Dachaidan—South Eight Yadan of Qinghai—Petroleum Town—Dunhuang Ancient City—Dunhuang (Overnight) Day 4: Dunhuang Mogao Caves—Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring—Dunhuang (Overnight) Day 5: Dunhuang—Son of the Earth—Zhangye Danxia Landform—Zhangye (Overnight) Day 6: Zhangye—Biandukou—Qilian Grassland—Xining (End of the trip)

Overnight Strategy for a 9-Day Tour of the Qinghai-Gansu Grand Loop

Qinghai-Gansu Grand Loop | Nanny-Level Route Guide Sharing Used to the routine city life, why not experience the grandeur of the northwest with its 'vast desert and long river with a round sunset'? This place has all the terrains and landforms in the world: lakes, mountains, Danxia landforms, deserts, neighbors, hills, grasslands, plateaus, stone forests... A trip to the northwest is equivalent to traveling ten times. I have compiled a travel guide for everyone here! Northwest Third Pole Travel Takes You to the Northwest 💁‍♀️9 Days and 8 Nights Northwest Tour Route D1: Arrive in Xining - Free 24-hour airport/station pickup - Check-in at hotel D2: Riyue Mountain - Daotang River - Qinghai Lake - Chaka Salt Lake - Chaka Town (overnight) D3: Chaka - Xiaochaidan Lake - Chaerhan Salt Lake - Dachaidan (overnight) D4: Dachaidan - U-shaped Road - Water Yadan - Dachaidan (overnight) D5: Emerald Lake - Heidushan - Oil Town - Dunhuang (overnight) D6: Dunhuang - Mogao Caves - Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring - (Dunhuang) D7: Dunhuang - Jiayuguan - Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park - Zhangye (overnight) D8: Zhangye - Qilian Grassland - Distant view of Gangshika Snow Peak - Menyuan Rapeseed Flower - Xining D9: Xining - Various destinations (free airport drop-off) 💞Scenic Spot Introduction 🌟Qinghai Lake: The sunrise and sunset are extremely beautiful, and there are golden rapeseed flowers by the lake in spring. 🌟Chaka Salt Lake: Be sure to take stunning reflection photos in the legendary Sky Mirror. 🌟Emerald Lake: Float on the emerald green lake in a transparent boat, aerial photography is amazing. 🌟Mogao Caves: The charm of the thousand-year-old cave murals is endless, and the guide's introduction is also very vivid. 🌟Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring: Take photos riding a camel in a red dress, absolutely stunning. 🌟Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park: The Danxia landform in the oil painting is vividly presented in front of you, super shocking. ~ 🙆🏻‍♀️Notes: ○ How to prevent and deal with altitude sickness ○ Avoid strenuous exercise when you first arrive at the plateau ○ Do not drink alcohol or smoke when you first arrive at the plateau, wait until you adapt ○ Do not go to the plateau if you have a cold, as it can easily cause pulmonary edema ○ The northwest loop is located on the plateau, with strong sunlight and ultraviolet rays, so take sun protection measures ○ The temperature difference between morning and evening in the northwest is large, so keep warm

Salt Lake

Caka Salt Lake, situated in Qinghai, China, is a natural wonder renowned for its ethereal beauty. Spanning over 100 square kilometers, it's one of the largest saltwater lakes in the region. What sets Caka apart is its striking pink hue during certain seasons, attributed to the presence of microorganisms and high salinity. The lake's landscape is surreal, with vast salt flats extending to the horizon, forming mesmerizing hexagonal patterns. Caka Salt Lake is also ecologically significant, providing habitat for migratory birds and supporting unique flora and fauna adapted to extreme salinity. Tourists are drawn not only to its surreal landscapes but also to the cultural richness of the Tibetan and Mongolian communities in the surrounding areas, making Caka Salt Lake a destination of natural and cultural intrigue. #timetotravel #China #instatravel

A Fairy lake surrounded by snowy mountains

Chaka Salt lake is a naturally crystallized saline lake surrounded by snow capped mountains in Haixi Prefecture, Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, China. It is located at an altitude of approx 3000m about 300km from Xining. The combination of the white lake with reflection of the sky in the water, the distant snowy mountain range, the fresh wind makes it a magical place. I went there in May. It snowed in the evening the day I reached Chaka town while the prediction was 6-12 deg. I carried a puffer jacket for just in case and that saved my life 😄. So, take your jackets no matter which time of the year you decide to visit 🤭