2 Days Xining & Qinghai Lake Cultural Discovery Tour

Dongguan Mosque--Ta'er Monastery--Mojia Street--Qinghai Provincial Museum

4+ stars Hotels

After breakfast, begin your journey with a visit to Dongguan Grand Mosque, the most significant Islamic site in Qinghai and the largest mosque in the province. With a traditional layout featuring front gates, five entrance arches, minarets, side halls, and the grand prayer hall, the mosque is a striking blend of Chinese temple architecture and Arabic dome structures. It can accommodate up to 12,000 worshippers at a time. The mosque’s construction was supported by donations from Han, Tibetan, and Tu communities, and even received a gilded prayer wheel from the famous Labrang and Ta'er monasteries. A calligraphy plaque inscribed by Mr. Yu Youren further symbolizes the rich cultural fusion embodied in the mosque.

Tips:

1. Dress modestly—shoulders and knees should be covered (robes are available at the entrance).

2. Photography is prohibited inside the prayer hall but allowed in the square.

3. Women should wear a headscarf (free to borrow at the mosque) as a sign of respect for local customs.
   Non-Muslims may observe from the outer courtyard and are welcome to explore the exhibition hall, which includes a Yuan-dynasty handwritten Qur'an and other relics.

Next, visit Ta'er Monastery (Kumbum Monastery), one of the six great monasteries of Tibetan Buddhism and the birthplace of Tsongkhapa, founder of the Gelug (Yellow Hat) school. The monastery developed its own complete system of religious, political, and cultural organization over the centuries. Ta’er is renowned for its "Three Great Art Treasures"—butter sculptures (suyouhua), murals, and appliqué embroidery (duixiu). Annual religious events, especially the Four Great Buddhist Festivals, attract crowds of worshippers and visitors alike. The monastery also houses an extraordinary collection of golden Buddha statues, ancient scriptures, thangkas, and imperial plaques.

Afterwards, stroll through Mojia Street, a bustling local food street where you can sample authentic Qinghai flavors. Recommended local eats include: lamb intestine noodles, yak yogurt, grilled beef and lamb skewers, highland barley milk tea, and black goji berry products.

In the afternoon, head to the Qinghai Provincial Museum, the province’s first large-scale modern museum, designated a National First-Class Museum in 2017. The museum holds rich collections ranging from Neolithic painted pottery and bronze artifacts to stone inscriptions, religious relics, and ethnic cultural exhibits.

In the evening, feel free to explore the city on your own, or consult an Intoexplore advisor for personalized recommendations to enrich your experience.

Xining--Riyue Mountain--Qinghai Lake--Return to Xining

Breakfast & Lunch

In the morning, your driver will pick you up in Xining, the capital city of Qinghai Province, and take you to Riyue Mountain. Historically, Riyue Mountain was a crucial pass along several important routes such as the “Qiangzhong Route,” the “Southern Silk Road,” and the “Ancient Tang-Tubo Road.” During the Northern and Southern Dynasties, when the Hexi Corridor became blocked, the Southern Silk Road—passing through Riyue Mountain, Qinghai Lake, and the Qaidam Basin—emerged as a major artery to the Western Regions. In the Tang Dynasty, the Ancient Tang-Tubo Road connected the northeast to Lhasa via the heart of Hainan Prefecture, becoming a significant cultural and strategic route.

Riyue Mountain has witnessed countless historic events, including alliances, royal marriages, wars, and trade between the Han and Tibetan peoples—particularly the famed tea-salt and tea-horse exchanges. As a strategic gateway to Tibet, the mountain served as a frontier outpost of the central Chinese dynasties from the Han and Wei to the Sui and Tang. Thus, it earned the titles “Barrier of the Western Sea” and “Gateway to the Grasslands.” In the 7th century, it also marked the boundary between the Tang Dynasty and the Tibetan Empire, which was founded by Songtsen Gampo after unifying the Yarlung tribes. The border was established at Chiling (now part of Riyue Mountain).

In the afternoon, you will head to Qinghai Lake, the largest inland saltwater lake in China and one of the highest-altitude lakes in the world. Often called the ‘Blue Jewel of the Plateau,’ it was named China’s most beautiful lake by National Geographic. The Qinghai Lake Scenic Area is divided into six sections: the lake itself, Erlangjian, Bird Island, Sand Island (Golden Beach Bay), Fairy Bay, and Riyue Mountain, with graded protection for each. Highlights include Bird Island, Sand Island, the ancient Silk Road routes, the Tang-Tubo Road, old city ruins, and the former torpedo testing base at Site 151.

According to legend, over a thousand years ago, Princess Wencheng was married off to Songtsen Gampo, ruler of the Tibetan Empire. Before her departure, the Tang Emperor gave her a magical mirror that could show images of her homeland. On her journey, overwhelmed with homesickness, she gazed into the mirror and saw her distant hometown, Chang’an. Moved to tears but reminded of her duty, she threw the mirror away. Where it landed, a golden light flashed—and the mirror turned into Qinghai Lake.

Optional Experiences (at your own expense):

Horseback riding and archery, tasting butter tea, making tsampa, witnessing the Tibetan lake-blessing ceremony, throwing Lungta (colorful wind horse papers) for blessings, riding a traditional leather raft, taking a luxury cruise around the lake, or photographing the rapeseed flower fields (available in July). For more ideas, feel free to contact our consultants at IntoExplore.

Kind Reminder:

Qinghai Lake is located at a high altitude (3,196 meters). Please be cautious of altitude sickness and avoid intense physical activity such as running or long-distance hiking. To minimize risk, avoid bathing on Day 1. Also, bring sun and wind protection.