[2025 Haiyan Attraction] Travel Guide for Qinghai Lake Tongbaoshan Camping Base (Updated Apr)

**Tongbaoshan Travel Guide: Explore a Hidden Wonderland, Enjoy Delicious Food and Stunning Scenery** ### 🌄 Tongbaoshan Overview Tongbaoshan is located in Haiyan County, Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province, near the north shore of Qinghai Lake. With an altitude of about 4024m, it is a niche, hidden gem in the area surrounding Qinghai Lake. Once the site of "China's first nuclear weapons research base" (Site 221), it is now known for its magnificent snow-capped mountains, pastures, lakes, and starry skies, making it ideal for hiking, photography, camping, and in-depth travel. --- ###📍 Must-See Attractions 1. Tongbaoshan Observation Deck - **Highlights**: Panoramic views of Qinghai Lake, with the golden lake surface and snow-capped mountains reflecting each other at sunrise and sunset, making it an excellent photography spot. - **Tips**: The mountain road is steep. It is recommended to drive an SUV or hike up the mountain. Be sure to protect yourself from the cold and wind. 2. Qinghai Lake Cliff (Internet-Famous Cliff) - **Location**: Near Tongbaoshan, navigate to "Daxiu Mula Buzai". - **Things to do**: Take photos with Qinghai Lake at the edge of the cliff for stunning shots. In summer, herders may charge a 10–20 CNY cleaning fee. 3. Jinyintan Grassland - **Features**: The birthplace of Wang Luobin's "In That Distant Place". In summer, wildflowers bloom everywhere, and you can ride horses and camp. 4. Atomic City Memorial Hall - **A must-see for history buffs**: Learn about the history of China's nuclear industry and experience the spirit of "Two Bombs, One Satellite". Free admission. ### 🍖 Food Recommendations 1. Tibetan Cuisine Experience - **Yak Hot Pot**: The yak meat from local herders' homes is fresh, tender, and nourishing. It is recommended to pair it with wild yellow mushrooms. - **Tsampa + Butter Tea**: Traditional Tibetan breakfast, essential for combating high altitude. - **Recommended Restaurant**: "Tibetan Courtyard" in Xihai Town (a well-established restaurant). 2. Qinghai Specialties - **Hand-Grabbed Mutton**: Authentic flavor, perfect with salt and pepper or chili powder. - **Yogurt**: A layer of golden milk skin on the surface, rich and sour-sweet. Look for "Yak Yogurt". - **Ga Mian Pian**: Qinghai-style small dough pieces soup, warm and filling. 3. Nearby Food Hubs - **Xihai Town**: Home to the Atomic City, with a concentration of restaurants. "Ma Nai Kao Rou" (Ma Nai Roasted Meat) and "Yi Yuan Xuan Mian Pian Guan" (Yi Yuan Xuan Noodle Soup Restaurant) are recommended. ### 🎪 Extended Activities 1. Cycling Around Qinghai Lake - Starting from Tongbaoshan, pass by Jinsha Bay and Bird Island (seasonally open) along the way, and experience the vastness of the "Blue Planet". 2. Huangyu Viewing Platform in Gangcha County - During the summer migration season, you can see thousands of huangyu (naked carp) swimming upstream, a shocking and healing sight. 3. Qilian Mountain Grassland (2-hour drive) - If time permits, you can extend your trip to Qilian County, the "Little Switzerland of the East", to see the Danxia landforms of Zhuoer Mountain and the Arou Grand Temple. ### 📌 Practical Tips - **Best Season**: June–September (green grasslands, blooming flowers). After October, the snow-capped mountains are more prominent but it is colder. - **Transportation**: It is recommended to hire a car or drive yourself. Navigate to "Tongbaoshan" or "Qinghai Lake Cliff". There is no signal in some sections of the road. - **Accommodation**: Xihai Town or Gangcha County offer better conditions. If you want to experience the starry sky, you can camp (pay attention to keeping warm). - **Altitude Sickness**: At an altitude of 4000+ meters, avoid strenuous exercise, and bring oxygen tanks and glucose. The beauty of Tongbaoshan lies in its pristine and tranquil nature—snow-capped mountains, holy lakes, prayer flags, cattle, and sheep, as if time stands still here. If you are tired of the commercialization of Qinghai Lake, this place will surely offer you a piece of pure land! 🌿✨

Right on Qinghai Lake! A five-star experience you won't want to leave! 👍🏻Today, I'd like to recommend a cost-effective hotel near Qinghai Lake—Tongbao Mountain Camp Space Capsule Hotel 💕It's incredibly cost-effective, and it's no wonder it's a must-stay hotel/homestay in the area. The natural scenery is stunning, and the experience is truly immersive! 1️⃣Located on the north shore of Qinghai Lake, you can enjoy the beautiful view of the lake right from your room. 2️⃣It's a locally renowned hotel/homestay with space capsules, stargazing capsules, family rooms, standard capsules, couple capsules, and more. The staff is professional, and the amenities and bedding are excellent. 3️⃣The rooms are spacious, so you won't feel cramped. It's perfect for couples, families, business travelers, and anyone with children. 4️⃣It's close to the Atomic City Memorial Hall, the Explosion Test Site, the Baohutu Hot Springs, the Jinsha Bay Sand Island, the Wang Luobin Music Art Museum, the Jinyintan Grassland, and other popular attractions. 5️⃣The camp also offers a wide variety of delicious Halal food, including roasted whole lamb, lamb skewers, roasted lamb legs, ox head feast, Qinghai yellow fat yak beef, Qinghai earthen hot pot, yak yogurt, milk tea, and more.

Right next to Qinghai Lake! Hurry and visit this campsite before it gets popular COOL discovered a new space capsule campsite Super niche! Located at the foot of Tongbao Mountain, on the north shore of Qinghai Lake. Come quickly before it gets popular, it's perfect for a class trip. Name: Qinghai Lake Tongbao Mountain Camping Base Self-driving accessible, about 1.5 hours drive from Xining Campsite Environment The campsite is located at the foot of Tongbao Mountain in Qinghai Lake Township, Haiyan County. In front of it is the rippling Qinghai Lake. To the left is Jinsha Bay, to the right is Sand Island. Backed by red research, green grass, and the majestic Tongbao Mountain. Campsite Accommodation The campsite offers a variety of accommodation options: luxury space capsules, starry sky rooms, RVs... to meet the needs of different travelers. The rooms are equipped with complete facilities and can be moved in with just a bag. Large floor-to-ceiling windows/starry sky canopies, private bathrooms, air conditioning for both heating and cooling, etc. Campsite Dining The campsite has complete dining services with a variety of food options. Barbecue, tea by the stove, Qinghai specialty hotpot, snacks and drinks, special halal cuisine, etc. Campsite Entertainment Internet-famous swings, panda bouncy clouds, bicycles Children's playground, pet park, archery, horseback riding, etc.