Things to do in Tianjun

Sisters! I was absolutely blown away by the beauty of Qinghai Lake! 😭 📍Address: No. 151, National Highway 109, Gonghe County, Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province I was stunned by the scenery the moment I stepped off the bus! Under the blue sky and white clouds, the lake water was crystal clear. Flocks of seagulls soared freely over the lake. 🕊️ Every snapshot looked like a professional photograph. 📸 Standing by the lake, watching the seagulls swimming on the water, and occasionally flying over to greet you, the feeling of harmony between humans and nature was incredibly healing. ✨ The weather was perfect too! ☀️ A gentle breeze, perfect sunshine, no need to worry about getting sunburned. The air was so fresh you couldn't help but take a deep breath. If you're planning a trip to Qinghai Lake, I highly recommend choosing a sunny day. Qinghai Lake under the blue sky and white clouds will definitely be a visual feast! #QinghaiLake #QinghaiTourism #NorthwestTravel #QinghaiLakeSeagulls #HealingScenery

Tianjun Stone Forest is located in the Delingha area of ​​Qinghai Province. The stone forest here is the same as the stone forest in Yunnan, which was formed in the karst landform during the Carboniferous period 350 million years ago. Tianjun Stone Forest is currently open to the public for free, and there are farmers around. Unfortunately, I didn't get yak milk to try it after asking around that day. There are a lot of pikas, and they will stick their heads out from time to time to observe the surrounding situation. The vultures in the sky are very big, and the clouds feel close and within reach~

The scenery was beautiful, but the rented shoe covers got wet, soaking my right shoe. I told the staff when I returned them, and they waived the rental fee. The service was good, but I'd still like to hope they check the shoe covers' quality regularly.

Be sure to catch the sunset! The sightseeing bus goes directly to each viewing platform, with platform number four offering the most stunning colors; the sunset illuminates the entire mountainside, creating breathtaking vistas. The scenic area is well-managed and suitable for those driving, but remember to bring a warm jacket. Highly recommended! Be sure to catch the sunset! The sightseeing bus goes directly to each viewing platform, with platform number four offering the most stunning colors; the sunset illuminates the entire mountainside, creating breathtaking vistas. The scenic area is well-managed and suitable for those driving, but remember to bring a warm jacket. Highly recommended! Be sure to catch the sunset! The sightseeing bus goes directly to each viewing platform, with platform number four offering the most stunning colors; the sunset illuminates the entire mountainside, creating breathtaking vistas. The scenic area is well-managed and suitable for those driving, but remember to bring a warm jacket. Highly recommended!

The flying apsaras of Purang were truly stunning, their magnificent attire exuding an aura of wealth. The various monks' robes also offered explanations for what I had seen in Qinghai, Gansu, and Tibet, providing clarity. The Thangka exhibit was particularly photogenic; I took pictures along the way, and the extended design of the exhibition booth was also excellent. I didn't have time to delve into the deeper meanings of the Thangka paintings. The display of Thangka pigments was also exceptionally exquisite and not to be missed.

Kumbum Monastery is also a monastery with distinctive Tibetan Buddhist characteristics. The Lotus Pagoda was built by Tsongkhapa's mother according to her son's request to "build a stupa at his birthplace," thus marking the origin of Kumbum Monastery. Later, because "the stupa came first, then the monastery," it acquired the Chinese name "Kumbum Monastery." It is one of the six major monasteries of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism and the birthplace of Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelug school. It holds a high position among believers and is an important religious activity and pilgrimage site in Northwest China.

Jiayuguan Fortress is definitely worth a visit. As the "First Fortress Under Heaven," it exudes grandeur and a strong historical atmosphere. The fortress wall ruins are well-preserved, making for excellent photo opportunities. The shuttle bus service within the scenic area is well-organized, providing convenient transportation and saving you a lot of walking effort, with a smooth route. Standing atop the fortress and gazing at the vast Gobi Desert, the sense of immensity is overwhelming. It's a must-see spot when visiting the Hexi Corridor.

Buy tickets for the 9:00 AM bus from Xining Bus Station to Qinghai Lake. You can buy tickets through the Xining Bus Station's WeChat mini-program! The journey takes about 2.5 hours, with a stop at a service station for restroom use. Arrive around 11:30 AM. (There will be grasslands along the way; you can see them from the window.) The tour guide will assist with buying tickets on the bus, or you can buy them at the ticket center. Upon arrival, take a fast cruise to the island, then either the cruise ship to the island or a small train or bus to the lake. On the island, you can play in the sand and see seagulls and yaks. Plan your itinerary carefully; less than 4 hours for sightseeing will feel rushed.

I stayed an extra day in Xining specifically to visit the zoo. The staff's dedication to rescuing wild animals was evident, and you could feel their love and care for the animals. The ticket price is reasonable, and I highly recommend visiting the zoo when in Xining.

I originally wanted to be lazy and choose the reverse in-depth tour, but it snowed the day before and I could only do the forward in-depth tour. Actually, if I didn't want to climb, I could just go back the way I came without climbing the stairs, but I overestimated myself. Halfway up, I didn't know whether to go down or up... Overall, it was really fun, but climbing was really frustrating.