Qinghai Lake, China’s largest inland saltwater lake, is situated in the northeastern part of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. It sits at an altitude of 3,196 meters and covers a total area of approximately 4,625.6 square kilometers (2024 data). As a national-level scenic spot and a 5A-grade tourist attraction, it integrates natural landscapes and historical culture. Known as the “Blue Sapphire of the Plateau,” it holds significant ecological value, serving as a species gene pool and climate regulator on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
The Qinghai Lake Loop (approximately 360 kilometers) is a classic route to experience the natural scenery of Qinghai Lake and Tibetan culture. It is a popular choice for summer tourism.
I. Core Attractions Recommendations
1. Chaka Salt Lake – China’s Mirror of the Sky
Modeled after Bolivia’s Uyuni Salt Flat, Chaka Salt Lake in Qinghai is a photographer’s paradise. As one of the four major salt lakes in the Qaidam Basin with a 3,000-year mining history, its crystalline surface perfectly mirrors the sky on clear days. Recent developments allow visitors to take a small train (¥50) into the deeper areas or float on salt lake boats. Designated photo zones and improved management make it both scenic and accessible.
- Admission: ¥60 (entrance), ¥50 (small train), boat fees vary by duration.
2. Qilian – National Photography Base
Known as the “Little Switzerland of the East,” Qilian County boasts the iconic Zhuo’er Mountain (a 5A scenic area), the untouched Arong Great Temple, and Niuxin Mountain (Ox-Heart Mountain). Hiking to the base of Niuxin Mountain offers close-up views of its snow-capped peaks. The region’s pristine alpine landscapes attract adventurers and photographers alike.
- Highlight: Zhuo’er Mountain & Ami Dongsuo Scenic Area (combined 5A site).
3. Menyuan Rapeseed Fields – A Plateau Miracle
In July, Menyuan’s vast rapeseed fields bloom into a golden sea, framed by snow-capped mountains and blue skies. For the National Day holiday (October), locals plant a second crop to meet tourist demand.
- Tips: Avoid bee hives when taking photos; try local yogurt sold by children along the road. The official viewing platform charges ¥60, but free viewpoints are available near mountain parking lots.
4. Zhangye Danxia Landform – Where God Spilled His Palette
The Zhangye Danxia Geopark is divided into two entrances: one in Linze County and the other in Sunan County. The western entrance is located in Nijiaying Nantaizi Village, Linze County, and is one of the regions in China where the Danxia landform is most extensively and best developed, with the richest variety of landform features. Inside the park, private vehicles are not allowed; instead, shuttle buses are provided for visitors. There are four viewing platforms, with a total distance of approximately 8 kilometers between them. A full tour of the Linze Danxia area by shuttle bus takes about 1.5 hours. The shuttle buses operate on a loop, delivering visitors to the viewing platforms in sequence, and visitors can decide how long they want to stay at each platform. If you have ample time, you can also explore the park on foot. However, the last shuttle bus from Viewing Platform 4 departs around 20:30, with adjustments made according to the season and weather conditions. Be sure to check with the driver in advance.
Admission: The park entrance fee is ¥74 per person (including ¥54 for the ticket and ¥20 for the shuttle bus).
II. Itinerary Planning
4-Day Loop: Qinghai Lake → Chaka → Qilian → Zhangye
Total Distance: 1,200 km
Highlights: Combines Qinghai’s lakes, grasslands, and Gansu’s Danxia landforms, along with the scenic G227 National Road.
- Day 1: Xining → (30km) Ta’er Monastery → (120km) Qinghai Lake → (160km) Chaka Salt Lake → (80km) Heimahe (stay)
- Day 2: Heimahe → (2km) West Ring Road → (50km) Bird Island → (50km) Gangcha → (120km) Dadongshu Pass → (20km) Binggou Forest → (20km) Zhuo’er Mountain → (6km) Qilian (stay)
- Day 3: Qilian → (20km) Arong Great Temple → (10km) Qilian Grassland → (90km) Biandukou → (150km) Zhangye Danxia (stay)
- Day 4: Zhangye → (70km) Matisi Grottoes → (200km) Menyuan Rapeseed Fields → (12km) Daban Mountain → (30km) Heiquan Reservoir → Xining
3-Day Loop: Qinghai Lake → Chaka → Qilian
Total Distance: 880 km
Ideal for short trips: Focuses on Qinghai’s highlights—Qinghai Lake, Chaka Salt Lake, and Qilian’s alpine scenery.
- Day 1: Xining → Ta’er Monastery → Qinghai Lake → Chaka Salt Lake → Heimahe (stay)
- Day 2: Heimahe → West Ring Road → Bird Island → Gangcha → Dadongshu Pass → Binggou Forest → Zhuo’er Mountain → Qilian (stay)
- Day 3: Qilian → Arong Great Temple → Qilian Grassland → Menyuan → Daban Mountain → Heiquan Reservoir → Xining
2-Day Quick Tour: Qinghai Lake → Chaka Salt Lake
Total Distance: 760 km
For transit travelers: A taster of Qinghai’s beauty before heading to Tibet.
- Day 1: Xining → Ta’er Monastery → Qinghai Lake → Heimahe (stay)
- Day 2: Heimahe → Chaka Salt Lake → Jinsha Bay → Jinyintan Grassland → Atomic City → Xining
Extended Route: Dunhuang Grand Loop (7 Days)
Starting from Xining, head to Qinghai Lake, then proceed to Delingha and on to Da Qaidam, at the edge of the Qaidam Basin. From there, enter Dunhuang and travel along the Hexi Corridor to Zhangye. After Zhangye, take the stunning National Highway 227 back to Xining, completing the loop. The entire journey spans approximately 2,800 kilometers and covers some of the most famous attractions in Qinghai and Gansu provinces, including Qinghai Lake, Chaka Salt Lake, the Qaidam Basin, Mogao Caves, Yadan Devil’s City, Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake, Jiayuguan, Zhangye Danxia Landform, Mati Temple, Zore Mountain Scenic Area, Qilian Mountains, Qilian Prairie, and the rapeseed flower fields in Menyuan. This route encompasses the best of what Qinghai and Gansu have to offer.
- Day 1: Xining → Ta’er Monastery → Qinghai Lake → Heimahe (stay)
- Day 2: Heimahe (sunrise) → Chaka Salt Lake → Delingha → Dachaidan (stay)
- Day 3: Dachaidan → Nanbaxian Yardang → Yangguan → Dunhuang (stay)
- Day 4: Dunhuang → Mogao Grottoes → Mingshashan & Yueya Spring → Dunhuang (stay)
- Day 5: Dunhuang → Jiayuguan → Zhangye Danxia (stay)
- Day 6: Zhangye → G227 National Road → Qilian Grassland → Zhuo’er Mountain → Qilian (stay)
- Day 7: Qilian → Menyuan → Daban Mountain → Xining
Day 1: Xining to Heimahe
Route: Xining — 30km — Ta’er Monastery — 120km — Qinghai Lake South Shore — 80km — Heimahe (Overnight in Heimahe)
- Depart Xining at around 8:00 AM. Spend 2 hours exploring Ta’er Monastery, a key Tibetan Buddhist site.
- Drive to Qinghai Lake, stopping at Riyue Mountain (Sun-Moon Mountain) en route. Arrive at the lake’s south shore to experience its turquoise waters up close.
- Check in at Heimahe and revisit Qinghai Lake in the evening to enjoy the sunset and starry skies.
- Admission Fees (subject to seasonal changes):
- Ta’er Monastery: ¥70
- Riyue Mountain: ¥50
- Qinghai Lake Erlangjian Scenic Area: ¥90
- Private pasture access (near the lake): ~¥20
- Highlights: Tibetan Buddhism at Ta’er Monastery, the “Blue Sapphire of the Plateau” (Qinghai Lake), and night skies over the lake.
Day 2: Heimahe Sunrise to Dachaidan via Chaka Salt Lake
Route: Heimahe — 80km — Chaka Salt Lake — 220km — Delingha — 240km — Dachaidan Town
- Witness the sunrise at Heimahe, then drive to Chaka Salt Lake (“Mirror of the Sky”) for surreal reflections.
- En route to Dachaidan, pass through Delingha. Keluke Lake and Tosu Lake (Twin Lakes) and the “Alien Ruins” are optional quick stops (no need to enter paid areas).
- Dachaidan, a small town, accommodates nearly 10,000 visitors daily in summer.
- Admission Fees:
- Chaka Salt Lake: ¥60
- Keluke Lake: ¥20
- Highlights: Heimahe sunrise, otherworldly salt flats, and Gobi desert highways.
Day 3: Dachaidan to Dunhuang
Route Option 1 (Recommended for free access and scale):
Dachaidan — 20km — Qaidam Basin Highway — 200km — Nanbaxian Yardang (Qinghai) — 40km — Akesai — 64km — Yangguan Ruins — 63km — Dunhuang
Route Option 2 (For dramatic Yardang but extra cost):
Dachaidan — 20km — Qaidam Basin Highway — 240km — Akesai — 122km — Yumenguan (Jade Gate) — 60km — Dunhuang Yardang National Geopark — 170km — Dunhuang
- Key Difference:
- Nanbaxian Yardang (Qinghai): Free, Asia’s largest Yardang cluster, the easier route.
- Dunhuang Yardang: Requires a combined ticket with Yumenguan (¥40 + ¥50), more imposing but less flexible.
- Drive through the Qaidam Basin’s stark Gobi landscapes. At Lenghu, marvel at the grandeur of Nanbaxian Yardang. Visit Yangguan Ruins (“Beyond Yangguan, no old friends”) to soak in ancient poetry and Gobi desolation.
- Admission Fees:
- Yangguan Ruins: ¥50
- Dunhuang Yardang + Yumenguan combo: ¥90
- Highlights: Qinghai’s Yardang formations, Gobi highways, and historic Yangguan.
Day 4: Dunhuang – Mogao Grottoes – Mingshashan & Yueya Spring
Route: Dunhuang City — Short drive — Mogao Grottoes — Short drive — Mingshashan & Yueya Spring — Dunhuang City
- Explore Mogao Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage site with ancient Buddhist murals and sculptures. Book tickets 30 days in advance at https://www.mgk.org.cn/ (peak seasons July–August require early booking; last-minute tickets only allow access to smaller caves).
- Visit Mingshashan (Singing Sand Mountain) and Yueya Spring (Crescent Moon Spring) in the afternoon. Ride camels or sandboard down the dunes.
- Admission Fees (seasonal variations):
- Mogao Grottoes: ¥200 (peak) / ¥100 (off-peak)
- Mingshashan & Yueya Spring: ¥110
- Highlights: Ancient Buddhist art at Mogao, desert adventures at Mingshashan.
Day 5: Dunhuang to Zhangye Danxia via Jiayuguan
Route: Dunhuang — 380km — Jiayuguan — 260km — Zhangye Danxia (Overnight in Zhangye)
- Morning visit to Jiayuguan Fort, the “First and Greatest Pass under Heaven,” a key stop on the Silk Road. Explore the fort, Overhanging Great Wall, and First Piers.
- Drive to Zhangye Danxia National Geopark in the afternoon, famous for its multicolored layered cliffs. Arrive in time for the sunset over the “Rainbow Mountains.”
- Admission Fees:
- Jiayuguan Combo Ticket (Fort + Wall + Piers): ¥110
- Zhangye Danxia: ¥74 (includes shuttle bus and insurance)
- Highlights: Silk Road history at Jiayuguan, vibrant Danxia landforms at sunset.
Day 6-1: Zhangye Danxia to Xining via Menyuan
Route: Zhangye Danxia — 150km — Biandukou — 130km — Menyuan Rapeseed Fields — 150km — Xining
- Drive along G227 National Road, known as “China’s Most Scenic Highway.” Pass through Biandukou and Qilian Grassland.
- In Menyuan, admire vast rapeseed fields (blooming July–early August) from viewpoints like Daban Mountain. Overlook Gangshika Snow Peak in the distance.
- Admission Fee: Menyuan Viewing Platform ¥60
- Highlights: G227’s alpine scenery, golden rapeseed fields, and mountain vistas.
Day 6-2: Zhangye Danxia to Qilian County (for 7-day itineraries)
Route: Zhangye Danxia — 150km — Biandukou — 85km — Arong Great Temple — 30km — Zhuo’er Mountain — 5km — Qilian County
- Visit Arong Great Temple (¥15), a Tibetan monastery, then climb Zhuo’er Mountain (¥30 promo price in May 2025) for panoramic views of Qilian’s “Little Switzerland” landscape and Niuxin Mountain (Ox-Heart Mountain).
- Highlights: Grasslands, Tibetan temples, and alpine vistas.
Day 7: Qilian to Xining via Menyuan
Route: Qilian — 170km — Menyuan — 12km — Daban Mountain Viewpoint — 30km — Heiquan Reservoir — 90km — Xining
- Retrace through Menyuan’s rapeseed fields and Daban Mountain, capturing final views of Gangshika Snow Peak. Return to Xining via Heiquan Reservoir.
- Highlights: Scenic mountain drives and alpine meadows.
Key Notes
- Challenging Days: Days 3 (Dachaidan to Dunhuang) and 5 (Dunhuang to Zhangye) involve long drives (5–7 hours) through hot, arid Gobi regions. Stay hydrated and take breaks.
- Seasonal Tips: July–August offer the best weather but peak crowds; June and September provide milder climates and fewer tourists.
- Cultural Respect: Dress modestly at monasteries, avoid littering in natural areas, and ask permission before photographing locals or livestock.
This loop seamlessly blends Qinghai’s plateau landscapes with Gansu’s rich Silk Road heritage, offering a once-in-a-lifetime adventure through China’s northwestern frontier.
III. Accommodation and Transportation Recommendations
Accommodation Options
- Budget-Friendly: Guesthouses or youth hostels in Heimahe and around Chaka Salt Lake (e.g., West Coast Holiday Hotel).
- Mid to High-End: International branded hotels in downtown Xining (e.g., Sofitel Xining) or boutique homestays at the foot of Qilian Mountains.
- Camping: Star-viewing tents or pastoral campsites along Qinghai Lake (¥10–20 per person fee required).
Guide for Foreigners Staying in Chinese Youth Hostels
Guide for Foreigners Staying in Chinese Characteristic Homestays
Transportation: Flying into Xining vs. Lanzhou
Flying into Xining
Advantages:
- Central Hub: Xining is the core starting point for the Qinghai Lake loop, located closer to the lake (≈2-hour drive) with more direct transportation options.
- Convenience: As Qinghai’s capital, it offers direct flights/trains to major cities and efficient urban transit (buses, taxis).
- Developed Infrastructure: More hotels (stable prices), restaurants, and tourist services.
Disadvantages: Fewer flight routes than Lanzhou, potentially higher airfare.
Flying into Lanzhou
Advantages:
- Transportation Hub: More frequent flights/trains with lower costs, especially for international travelers.
- Easy Transfer: Direct high-speed trains (1.5 hours) or buses (3 hours) to Xining.
Disadvantages: Longer travel time to Qinghai Lake (≈4–5 hours from Lanzhou), reducing sightseeing time on Day 1.
Recommendations:
- Prioritize Time & Efficiency: Fly to Xining for a seamless start to the loop.
- Prioritize Cost & Flight Options: Fly to Lanzhou and transfer to Xining via train/bus.
Transportation in Xining for the Loop Tour
- Self-Driving/Car Rental:
Rent a car in Xining (2-hour drive to Qinghai Lake). Roads are well-maintained, but be cautious of high-altitude driving (e.g., steep passes, sudden weather changes). - Charter Services:
Hire local drivers/guides for flexible itineraries and stress-free navigation (avoids traffic and route planning).
Choose based on your budget, travel style, and preference for independence or guided convenience!
IV. Important Notes
① Altitude Sickness
Qinghai Lake sits at an altitude of 3,200 meters. First-time visitors should acclimatize beforehand, avoid strenuous activities, and carry oxygen tanks as a precaution.
② Weather and Gear
- Best Season: July to August, but daily temperature variations are significant.
- Packing Tips: Bring warm layers (down jackets, fleece) and sun protection (sunscreen, hats, sunglasses) for both daytime heat and chilly nights.
③ Cultural Etiquette
- In Tibetan areas, respect religious customs: do not touch mani stone piles or enter pastoral grasslands without permission.
- Dress modestly when visiting monasteries or sacred sites.
④ Local Cuisine
- Must-try dishes: Hand-grabbed lamb (shouzhua yangrou), traditional yogurt (lao suannai), and zanba (roasted barley flour).
- Chinese-style restaurants are available in cities like Xining (e.g., Shuijing Lane Food Street).
⑤ Ticket Purchases
Book entrance tickets in advance via platforms like Ctrip (Trip.com) or official scenic area websites to avoid long queues.
Travel safely and embrace the beauty of Qinghai’s plateau with an open mind!