The Beauty Here Is More Than Just Lakes

Here's a brief travel guide to Qinghai: ⌚⌚Best Time to Visit June to September is the best time to visit Qinghai. July and August see blooming rapeseed flowers but also more tourists. 🌈🌈Popular Attractions Qinghai Lake China's largest inland lake, like a giant sapphire set in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Rapeseed flowers bloom around the lake from July to August, creating a stunning contrast of golden yellow and deep blue. The vast lake surface and surrounding grasslands are its main features. You can choose to cycle around the lake to enjoy the breeze and scenery, or take a boat tour. The morning sunlight on the lake and the golden sunset views are mesmerizing. Travel tips: Book accommodation in advance, be prepared for changeable highland weather, bring warm clothes and sun protection. Suggested itinerary: Arrive at noon on day one, check in to a lakeside hotel, visit Bird Island and lakeside grasslands in the afternoon, enjoy sunset in the evening; watch sunrise the next morning. Ta'er Monastery One of the six major monasteries of the Gelug sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Rich in history and culture, "the pagoda came before the monastery." The buildings are arranged naturally along the mountainside. Features include exquisite Buddha statues in the halls, numerous Buddhist scriptures and academic works, and the "Three Artistic Wonders of Ta'er Monastery" - lifelike butter sculptures, colorful murals, and brilliant applique thangkas. Four grand prayer festivals are held annually during the 1st, 4th, 6th, and 9th lunar months. Travel tips: Check festival dates in advance and respect religious customs. Plan half a day to carefully explore the buildings and art treasures. Chaka Salt Lake Known as the "Mirror of the Sky," it's a popular photography spot. On clear days, the lake surface reflects clouds, snow mountains, and human figures like a mirror. Features dreamlike mirror images, especially beautiful at sunset and nightfall, with stunning starry skies. Travel tips: Wear colorful clothes for better photos, watch for weather changes, take the small train to explore deeper parts of the lake. Plan to visit during optimal lighting conditions for about half a day. Qarhan Salt Lake China's largest salt lake, a world of salt. The vast lake surface has thick salt layers forming various shapes like coral and lotus flowers. It's also the world's largest potash fertilizer production base, where industry meets natural scenery. You can take boat tours and participate in salt sculpture activities. Travel tips: Take measures against sun and salt corrosion. Half to full day visit recommended. Mount Zhuo'er A Danxia landform composed of red sandstone and conglomerate, a must-visit destination in Qilian. The ancient-style beacon tower at the summit offers panoramic views of snow mountains, grasslands, and red mountains creating a poetic landscape. Features unique folk customs and a blend of Tibetan and Mongolian cultures. Travel tips: Follow the wooden walkway for sightseeing. Half day is enough to enjoy the scenery and cultural atmosphere. 🍚🍚Food Recommendations Hand-pulled Mutton: Freshly prepared mutton served with salt and pepper, try Yixin Hand-pulled Mutton in Xining. Yak Yogurt: Thick and creamy with golden skin, traditionally served with sugar. Highland Barley Wine and Yak Meat: Authentic Tibetan cuisine for experiencing plateau culture. Qinghai Lake Fresh Fish: Locally caught lake fish, fresh and sweet. Butter Tea and Highland Barley Noodles: Traditional plateau cuisine, warming and delicious. 🚶🏻‍♀️🚶🏻‍♂️Suggested Itineraries 3-day tour: Day 1: Xining - Ta'er Monastery - Laji Mountain - Qinghai Lake, stay by the lake for sunset; Day 2: Qinghai Lake sunrise - Chaka Salt Lake - Delingha; Day 3: Delingha - Return. 5-day tour: Day 1: Xining - Ta'er Monastery - Laji Mountain - Qinghai Lake; Day 2: Qinghai Lake sunrise - Chaka Salt Lake - Delingha; Day 3: Emerald Lake - 315 U-shaped Highway - Water Yardang; Day 4: South Eight Immortals Devil City - Oil Town - Dunhuang Desert Camping; Day 5: Mogao Grottoes - Echoing-Sand Mountain and Crescent Lake - Return. 7-day tour: Day 1: Arrival in Xining - Free time, evening snacks at Mojie Street; Day 2: Xining - Sun and Moon Mountain - Qinghai Lake - Chaka Salt Lake; Day 3: Chaka - Emerald Lake - Da Qaidam; Day 4: Da Qaidam - 315 U-shaped Highway - Water Yardang - Dunhuang; Day 5: Dunhuang - Mogao Grottoes - Echoing-Sand Mountain and Crescent Lake; Day 6: Dunhuang - Jiayuguan - Zhangye Danxia; Day 7: Zhangye - Qilian Grassland - Menyuan - Xining. ❤️❤️Important Notes Altitude Sickness Prevention: Take rhodiola in advance, avoid strenuous activity upon arrival, bring glucose and oxygen bottles (cheaper from Xining pharmacies). Weather: Highland weather is changeable, bring windbreakers even in summer, consider changing plans if it rains at Chaka Salt Lake. Transportation: Choose legitimate car rental companies, avoid illegal taxis. Photography: Buy shoe covers for salt lakes online in advance, negotiate camel ride photo prices beforehand. Shopping: Avoid fake yak jerky at scenic spots, buy local products at Xining Hualian Supermarket, be cautious when buying Tibetan medicine and amber if inexperienced.