Qinghai Lake Region

Ringing Qinghai Lake, China's largest inland saltwater lake, it reaches north to the rapeseed blossoms of Menyuan and Zhuoer Mountain in Qilian, and south to the Danxia of the Yellow River at Guide, making it Qinghai's most popular summer self-drive belt.

By Qinghai's tourism definition, the Qinghai Lake Region covers the Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture and the Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. The north shore and northeast of Qinghai Lake belong to Haibei, and the south shore belongs to Hainan, and together the two prefectures form the lakeside tourism belt. Highlights: Qinghai Lake is China's largest inland saltwater lake, and Erlangjian, Heimahe sunrise, Sand Island, Bird Island and cycling around the lake are the classics. In Haibei, Menyuan has vast fields of rapeseed blossoms around July each year. Zhuoer Mountain in Qilian, Arou Great Monastery and the grasslands are called the 'Switzerland of the East', and the Golden Silver Beach grassland and the Atomic City Memorial in Haiyan County tell the story of the nuclear industry. In Hainan, Guide is celebrated with the saying 'the Yellow River runs clear at Guide', and its Danxia landforms, clear Yellow River waters and pear blossoms are all famous. Longyangxia in Gonghe County is also worth a stop. Classic itinerary: from Xining, follow the south shore of the lake via Erlangjian and Heimahe to Chaka (which belongs to Haixi) and return, or take the northern route Menyuan–Qilian–Gangca, forming a three-to-four-day lake plus Qilian route. Add one day separately for Guide. Cycling around the lake generally takes three to five days. Getting there: Xining is the main transfer point, Qilian has a regional airport, and the Qinghai–Tibet Railway runs along the north and east shores of the lake. Self-driving is the most common way to travel, and the roads around the lake are in good condition. Season: June to September is best. In July the flowers draw crowds, so book accommodation in advance. The lake area is at about 3,200 m with large day-night temperature swings and strong ultraviolet rays, so keep warm and use sun protection. In winter most lakeside campsites are closed.

Destinations

• Qinghai Lake
• Menyuan
• Qilian
• Guide

Itineraries

• Menyuan, Qilian, Qinghai Lake & Chaka Loop – Head north to the Menyuan flower seas and Qilian grasslands, then loop around the north shore of Qinghai Lake to Chaka.
• Qinghai-Gansu Grand Loop Classic Route – A closed-loop route starting from Xining, circling Qinghai Lake, Qaidam, Dunhuang, the Hexi Corridor, and the Qilian Mo…
• Qinghai Lake Loop with Chaka and Guide – A leisurely loop of Qinghai Lake, with day trips to Chaka Salt Lake and the Yellow River at Guide.
• Amdo Loop: Golog, Gannan & Rebgong – A classic Amdo loop starting from Xining, passing through Golog, Langmusi, Labrang Monastery, and Rebgong, before retur…
• Qinghai Lake & Chaka Salt Lake Classic Short Loop – A weekend route starting from Xining, connecting Kumbum Monastery, Erlangjian, the Heimahe sunrise, and Chaka Salt Lake.
• Qinghai Lake South Shore and Heima River Sunrise – Drive from Xining over Riyue Mountain to the south shore, stay at Heima River to see the sunrise, then return via Jinsh…
• Yellow River Valley: Guide, Rebgong & Xunhua – Follow the Yellow River Valley to explore Guide Danxia, Kanbula, Rebgong art villages, and the homeland of the Salar pe…
• Xining and Qinghai Lake Clockwise Loop Drive – Acclimatize in Xining for a day, then drive clockwise around the lake: sunrise on the south shore, the West Lake Ring R…
• Cycling Around Qinghai Lake – Start from Xihai Town and ride clockwise around the lake, about 360 km over four days, with rest days in Xining before…
• Western Qaidam Wilderness Crossing – A one-way journey from Xining to Dunhuang, passing through Hoh Xil, Water Yadan, Mangya, Eboliang, and Lenghu.
• Zhangye Danxia and Qilian Grassland Horse Ranch – See Zhangye's Danxia canyons, cross Biandu Pass to spend two nights in Qilian and visit Zhuoer Mountain, then return vi…
• Qinghai Lake Winter Blue Ice – Stay in Erlangjian while the lake is frozen, and see the ice lake on the south shore, 151 and the Heima River ice.