4-Day Classic Tour to Qinghai

Arrive in Qinghai

4+stars Hotel

None

Welcome to Xining, the capital of Qinghai Province. At an altitude of 2,261 meters above sea level, this city is located in the vast, sprawling northwest of China and is known for its long history and magnificent natural beauty.

Your exclusive guide will pick you up and transfer you to your hotel to check in and organize the rest of your tour. After a short rest, you will have free time to acclimatize to the altitude of this highland city. Whether you are savoring Xining's culinary delights or enjoying the magnificent natural scenery, you are sure to have a fulfilling and enjoyable afternoon.

Recommended Night Program:

In Xining, don't miss Puning Pearl Tower, which is not only a 188-meter-high TV and sightseeing tower, but also an excellent place to savor the food and enjoy the night view. As night falls, climb up the Puning Pearl Tower and you will enjoy a mouth-watering dinner while taking in the glittering night view of Xining, as if you were on top of the Oriental Pearl Tower in Shanghai, experiencing the charm and vitality of the city.

Qinghai Lake - the Town of Chaka Salt Lak

4+stars Hotel

Breakfast

After breakfast, we will drive to Qinghai Lake, which is 150 kilometers away from Xining, and this journey takes about 2.5 hours. Along the way, you will be mesmerized by the picturesque natural scenery of Riyue Mountain. The green grassland, blue sky, white clouds and countless fascinating scenes will unfold in front of your eyes like a flowing scroll.

Qinghai Lake, which is 3200 meters high, is not only the largest inland lake in China, but also the largest saltwater lake. Its vast waters cover an area of more than 4,500 square kilometers, 105 kilometers long and 63 kilometers wide.

In Erlangjian Scenic Area, we will enjoy the beauty of Qinghai Lake. Walking on the trestle, you will be able to have a panoramic view of the far-reaching Qinghai Lake. The lake's water, with its different salt content, shows different colors under the sunlight, which is magnificent and charming. In addition, Qinghai Lake is also a holy place of Tibetan Buddhism, where many devotees come to worship every year.

If you want to enjoy the beauty of Qinghai Lake from a different angle, you may choose to take a cruise. In Erlangjian Scenic Area, you can choose either a high-speed cruise ship or a catamaran for your tour.

After enjoying the beautiful view of Qinghai Lake, we will drive about 150 kilometers (about 3 hours) to Chaka town (3100 meters above sea level) to check in.

Tips:

1, The best time to visit: the beauty of Qinghai Lake can be enjoyed in all seasons, but especially recommend that you come between May and October, when the weather is pleasant and most suitable for outdoor activities. Especially in July and August, rapeseed flowers bloom, forming a golden sea, is even more beautiful.
2, Sunscreen preparation: Qinghai Lake's sunshine is strong, especially in summer. Be sure to bring sunscreen products such as hats, sunglasses and sunscreen to protect your skin from UV rays.
3, Plateau reaction prevention: Although the Qinghai Lake plateau reaction is not common, but if it is your first time to set foot on the plateau, you should still be vigilant. Avoid strenuous exercise and maintain adequate water intake are effective measures to prevent plateau reaction.

Chaka Salt Lake - Xining

4+stars Hotel

Breakfast

If the weather is fine and you're up for the challenge of an early morning walk, waking up an hour early will give you the chance to enjoy a stunning sunrise over the town of Chaka. It will be an unforgettable experience when the first rays of sunlight splash across the sky around 6 am.

Chaka Salt Lake, a magical place located at an altitude of 3,100 meters, is not only a geographical wonder on the ancient Silk Road, but also an important source of salt. Its salt products were once transported along the Silk Road, across thousands of mountains and rivers, to Tibet, Xinjiang and even Central Asia. On a clear day, Chaka Salt Lake seems to be wrapped in a picture, with the blue sky, floating clouds and mountains standing in the distance, all reflected in this natural mirror.

At Chaka Salt Lake, we have a variety of ways for you to explore. To make the most of the view and avoid possible crowds, you will take a scenic train ride right to the center of the lake and then a leisurely walk of about 40 minutes back to the entrance. Of course, you can also take the scenic train back if you choose a more relaxed approach. Walking on the salt crystal lake is like being in a painting, but please note that due to the corrosive nature of the salt water, it is recommended that you wear shoe covers to protect your feet.

Recommended Optional Programs (additional fees apply):

1, Boat trip along the salt canal: you can take a boat trip along the old aqueduct, which witnessed the long history of salt transportation in Lake Chaka, and the scenery and feelings along the way will surely make you gain a unique experience.
2, Sightseeing Tower Panoramic View: If you want to get a glimpse of the magnificent panoramic view of Lake Chaka and its surroundings, you may want to climb the sightseeing tower. Here, you can enjoy the width of the lake, the depth of the sky and the surrounding mountains, as if you were in a peaceful and magnificent world.
If you are interested in any of these activities, please feel free to talk to your guide and we will make arrangements and ensure you have the best experience possible!

Leaving Chaka Salt Lake, we will embark on the journey back to Xining, which is about 300 kilometers and is expected to take 3.5 to 4 hours. During this journey, if you see any scenery that makes your heart skip a beat or wish to stop for a short break, please feel free to let us know and we will arrange appropriate stopping time for you to take photos and rest. Upon arrival in Xining, you will enjoy a one-night stay in the booked hotel.

Tips:
1, Chaka Lake photography golden time: want to 8:00 am to 10:00 pm and 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm is recognized by many photography enthusiasts the best time period. At this time the light is soft, the lake reflection is clear, is the perfect time to capture the beauty.
2, Clothing color suggestions: in order to be able to take more impact on the lake reflection photos, we recommend that you choose to wear some bright colors, such as red, yellow or blue.
3, Pay attention to sunscreen: Chaka Lake area of ultraviolet radiation is very strong, for your health and safety, please try to cover your face, arms, neck and legs with clothing or sun hat when you are not taking portrait photos. Meanwhile, a pair of qualified sunglasses is also a must, which can effectively prevent your eyes from being harmed by ultraviolet rays.

Kumbum Monastery - Tibetan Medicine Culture Museum - Dongguan Mosque - Departure

No Hotel

Breakfast

After breakfast, we will embark on a journey of about 28 kilometers (40 minutes by car) to the famous Kumbum Monastery, which is a holy place carrying the deep cultural heritage of Tibetan Buddhism and is known as one of the "Six Great Monasteries of Gelugpa". The temple is not only sacred as the birthplace of Guru Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelugpa school of Tibetan Buddhism, but its architecture is a breathtaking blend of traditional Tibetan and Chinese art, with colorful and intricate decorations.

Step into this huge temple complex, you will be immersed in a feast for the eyes and the soul. The solemnity of the Eight Treasures Ruyi Pagoda, the splendor of the Great Golden Tile Hall, and the chanting of the lamas in the Great Hall of Sutra all highlight the profoundness of Buddhist culture. The unique "three greats" of Tal Temple - ghee flowers, murals and embroidery, is the perfect blend of art, aesthetics and religious beliefs, waiting for you to savor and appreciate.

Afterwards, driving about 37 kilometers (about 50 minutes drive), we will arrive at the Tibetan Medicine Culture Museum, which is a door to the ancient and mysterious world of Tibetan medicine. The museum displays rich historical relics, from ancient surgical instruments to precious medical texts to unique astronomical and calendar calculation tools, each exhibit tells the long history of Tibetan medical culture. Particularly worth mentioning is the 618-meter-long gallery, certified by Guinness World Records, and more than 30,000 kinds of pile-embroidery patterns, which give people a deep sense of the diversity and richness of Tibetan culture while marveling at them.

After lunch, we will go to Dongguan Mosque, the largest mosque in Qinghai, which is a piece of pure land in the hearts of Muslim believers and one of the important Islamic cultural centers in northwest China. This mosque, built in the Ming Dynasty, covers an area of 13,602 square meters, and its architectural style reflects the flavor of traditional Chinese architecture, but also cleverly integrates Islamic elements, and the light lotus green exterior adds a bit of freshness and elegance to it. Here, you can not only appreciate the unique charm of Islamic architecture, but also have the opportunity to witness the pious worship of Muslim believers and feel the power of faith across time and space.

As the sun sets, our journey will come to an end. Accompanied by your guide, you will arrive at the airport or train station ready to depart for your next destination. May this journey full of cultural flavor and religious feelings become an unforgettable memory in your heart.