Qinghai 青海
High-altitude lakes, salt flats, monasteries, and vast plateau scenery.
Why visit
Qinghai opens onto the Tibetan Plateau with immense lakes, grasslands, snow mountains, monasteries, salt flats, and long-distance road journeys.
How to plan your time
Acclimatize in Xining before heading higher. A 3–4 day loop can include Qinghai Lake and Chaka; longer trips can continue toward Gansu or deeper plateau landscapes.
Good route pairings
Combine with Lanzhou and the Hexi Corridor to Dunhuang, or use Xining as the rail gateway toward Tibet when permits and health allow.
How to Get There
Xining is the main air and rail gateway. Sightseeing beyond the city requires long drives, careful altitude pacing, and flexible weather plans.
Don't Miss
- Qinghai Lake
- Chaka Salt Lake
- Kumbum Monastery
Must-See Attractions
Qinghai Lake
China’s largest lake, edged by grassland and mountains.
Tip: Avoid exhausting activity on the first high-altitude day.
Chaka Salt Lake
Reflective salt flats under clear weather.
Tip: Bring sun protection and footwear suited to wet salt.
Kumbum Monastery
Important Tibetan Buddhist monastery near Xining.
Tip: Follow local photography and temple etiquette.
Where to Eat
Yak yogurt
Tangy, rich, and often lightly sweetened.
Lamb dishes
Common across Muslim and plateau communities.
Where to Stay
Xining
Best first and last base with full services.
Lake-area lodge
Expect simpler facilities and colder nights.
Tips & Practical Information
Getting around
Use metro or rail inside major cities and a private car for outlying heritage or nature sites. Keep station names and addresses saved in Chinese.
Book ahead
Reserve headline attractions and intercity trains early, especially for weekends, school holidays, and the May and October holiday periods.
Avoid the traps
Avoid overloading arrival and departure days. Allow time for security checks, station transfers, weather changes, and the walking level of your group.
What to pack
Bring comfortable walking shoes, a portable battery, a light rain layer, and clothing suited to the season and local elevation.