Off-season one-day tour of Qinghai Lake and Chaka Salt Lake

China United Airlines random flights Friday: Daxing 18:00 - Xining 20:30 Sunday: Xining 21:20 - Daxing 23:40 Stay: Orange Hotel Xining Railway Station Qiyi Road One-day tour: Qinghai Lake (Er Lang Jian) ~ Chaka Salt Lake (140 RMB/person) Depart at 6:00, arrive at Qinghai Lake at 8:30, leave Qinghai Lake at 11:00, arrive at lunch spot around 13:20, arrive at Chaka Salt Lake at 14:00, leave at 17:00, return to Xining at 20:30 The entire trip is above 2000 meters altitude, mild altitude sickness possible; if concerned, prepare oxygen bottles and motion sickness medicine in advance 1️⃣ Qinghai Lake Er Lang Jian Scenic Area (ticket 34.9 RMB with a free fridge magnet) Sit on the right side when going to Qinghai Lake for better views; no sightseeing bus needed at Er Lang Jian! After entering the park, turn right and walk down to the viewing platform, then turn left and walk along the lake The water is really blue! Surprisingly not very cold under the sun, many birds~ very refreshing 2️⃣ Chaka Salt Lake (Zhiyou Qinghai mini program, choose Cloud QuickPass, bought a half-price combo ticket for 69 RMB, including entrance ticket, small train, electric cart, shoe covers rental, and a bag of salt) Take the small train from the Sky Mirror Station directly to the final stop, Chaka Snow Station (stops in order: Salt Station, Wind Station, Glow Station, Snow Station), wear shoe covers to walk on the lake (deposit 50 RMB), walk all the way to Salt Station, then take the electric cart out of the park. By the end of November, there is very little water left, large areas are just salt without water! And it’s very windy! Personally tested sandwich layering works well; be sure to wear windproof clothes outside and cover your face and head thoroughly.