Qinghai Lake

Arrive at Xining Caojiabao Airport or Xining Railway Station. Transfer to your hotel in Xining and check-in. Afternoon: Explore the city of Xining, known for its Tibetan and Hui Muslim influences. Visit Dongguan Mosque, the largest mosque in Qinghai Province, and stroll through the vibrant Dongguan Street, lined with shops and eateries selling local delicacies. Evening: Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant, sampling dishes like hand-pulled noodles, lamb skewers, and Tibetan-style momos.

Depart from Xining and travel to Qinghai Lake, approximately 150 kilometers to the northwest. Along the way, stop at Kumbum Monastery, one of the most important Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in Qinghai Province. Midday: Continue your journey to Qinghai Lake and arrive in the early afternoon. Check into your accommodation near the lake. Afternoon: Spend the afternoon exploring the shores of Qinghai Lake. Rent a bicycle and cycle along the lakeside trails, admiring the serene beauty of the turquoise waters and surrounding grasslands. Evening: Enjoy a lakeside dinner featuring fresh fish caught from Qinghai Lake, accompanied by local vegetables and Tibetan barley bread.

Wake up early to catch the sunrise over Qinghai Lake, a breathtaking sight as the first rays of sunlight illuminate the tranquil waters and distant mountains. Midday: After breakfast, embark on a scenic drive around Qinghai Lake, stopping at viewpoints along the way to take photos and soak in the panoramic views. Afternoon: Visit Bird Island, a protected wildlife reserve in the northern part of Qinghai Lake, home to thousands of migratory birds, including swans, gulls, and cormorants. Take a guided tour of the island and observe the diverse bird species in their natural habitat. Evening: Return to your accommodation near Qinghai Lake and relax with a leisurely lakeside dinner, savoring the peaceful atmosphere as the sun sets over the horizon.

After breakfast, bid farewell to Qinghai Lake and begin your journey back to Xining. Midday: En route to Xining, stop at Riyue Mountain (Sun and Moon Mountain) Scenic Area, where you can take a cable car ride to enjoy panoramic views of Qinghai Lake and the surrounding mountains. Afternoon: Continue your drive to Xining and arrive in the city by early afternoon. Spend the rest of the day exploring Xining at your leisure, perhaps visiting local markets or cultural attractions like the Qinghai Provincial Museum. Evening: Enjoy a farewell dinner at a traditional Tibetan or Hui Muslim restaurant in Xining, celebrating the end of your Qinghai Lake adventure.