Gonghe Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in May)

Adventurous Road Trip

We spend 2.5 hours on the road to get to Qinghai Lake via Sun-moon mountain, the largest salt water lake of China. There you may feel that the air is so fresh and the sunshine is so warm it makes you feel as if you are in paradise. You can see groups of sheep, yaks, blue sky and white clouds. We dressed up in traditional Tibetan clothing and enjoyed some of the activities they had. The main scenic area we visited was the Erlangjian Scenic Area. You can enjoy the charming lake, take a boat cruise, horse riding and bike riding which is also available around the lake. #qinghailake #horseriding #tibetanculture #yak #coffee #freshair #sunshine #blueskies #xining

You should visit Qinghai Lake at least twice a year

After a night of snowfall in Chaka Town❄️, what would have been a 2-hour journey over Rubber Mountain🚗 to reach Qinghai Lake turned into a 3.5-hour detour via the Jingzang Expressway. During this season, there are very few tour groups and self-driving tourists, making it much quieter, and there's no need to worry about accommodation, tickets, or dining anymore~ The water of Qinghai Lake is very clear. On a good day, it really resembles the sea🌊 with its azure blue beauty, very pleasing to the eye❗️ In the distance, there are snow-capped mountains, and the diverse natural scenery is indescribably beautiful~ ⚠️Important notes: 1⃣️ Parking is prohibited at random on the Qinghai Lake ring road. Self-driving friends should pay attention. 2⃣️ There are many herders' pastures along the way, so drive slowly and carefully. Avoid hitting cattle and sheep that may dart out. 3⃣️ Qinghai Lake is over 3000 meters above sea level. Be sure to walk slowly. 4⃣️ The ultraviolet rays are strong and the temperature difference is large. Make sure to protect yourself from the sun and keep warm. 5⃣️ You can bring some small bread. It's possible to feed the seagulls.

Qinghai Lake · Lake Tour Guide

Qinghai Lake, praised by 'China National Geographic' as 'China's most beautiful lake', is also rated as 'one of the 55 places one must visit in a lifetime'. ✅Qinghai Lake tour: The lake tour is about 360 kilometers 🌟In July-August, the rapeseed flowers bloom, very beautiful (Picture 2-Picture 6) 🌟In May-June, it's the bird migration season, a paradise for birds (Picture 7-Picture 9) 🌟I've been there twice, recommend July (the experience in May was not so good) ✅Qinghai Lake Fishery: From entering Qinghai Lake to Erlang Sword, I personally feel it is the most beautiful place in Qinghai Lake 🌟You can pay 10-20 yuan to the Tibetans, walk to the lake through the local path, the rapeseed flowers, lake, yaks, horses along the way, taking pictures is very spectacular 🌟Highlights: lake water, rapeseed flowers, horse riding, yak riding, sheep and cattle ✅Erlang Sword Scenic Area: The scenic area is well-equipped, you can walk to the lake along the plank road, or take a cruise / speedboat 🌟Personally, I think if you don't take a boat or experience the project, there is no need to buy a ticket to enter the scenic area (you can enter the lake through the Tibetan path on the lake tour) 🌟Highlights: horse-drawn carriage, horse riding, plateau camel, Buddhist pagoda prayer flags, water bike, hot air balloon, cruise 🌟The scenic area ticket is 90 yuan/person, speedboat 100 yuan/person, cruise 140 yuan/person, luxury cruise 180 yuan/person, photo props about 20 yuan) 🌟Nanshan Guanhaiting, located on the opposite Nanshan in the scenic area, you can overlook Qinghai Lake, and also appreciate the 'true face' of Erlang Sword 🌟There are many accommodation options near the Erlang Sword Scenic Area, the conditions are better but the price is also more expensive ✅Heimahe Township: The starting point of the western lake tour, the section to Bird Island about 70 kilometers is also known as the most beautiful section of Qinghai Lake 🌟The best place to watch the sunrise of the holy lake, usually at 6 o'clock in the morning, you can take a sightseeing car to the sunrise point-Ban Chanzha Re (the section car costs 20, you can also choose to walk) 🌟There are many accommodation options in the town, and you can also experience the lakeside tent ✅Bird Island Scenic Area: Named for the hundreds of thousands of migratory birds that inhabit it 🌟If you don't enter the scenic area, you can also enjoy many different bird groups on both sides of the Buha River Highway 🌟The best time to watch birds is from the end of April to the beginning of June each year; the best time to watch swans is from the end of November to the beginning of March each year 🌟Admission: 120 yuan/person ✅Gangcha: About 40 kilometers from Bird Island 🌟From Haergai to Gangcha, passing a rapeseed flower viewing platform, very beautiful~ 🌟Attractions: Huang Fish Home, Cangyang Gyatso Cultural Square, Fan Yin Wind and Rain Forest Card, Five Major Prayer Flags ✅Fairy Bay Scenic Area: A lakeside wetland about 10 kilometers from Gangcha, enjoy the lake view along the plank road 🌟Highlights: Architectural landmark 'San Sheng La Ze', wooden plank road, prayer wheel, Lover's Cliff, National Harmony Tower, understanding the 'San Sheng La Ze' taboo sea culture 🌟The cliff scenic area has a section car to take, the cost is 20 yuan 🌟Admission: 60 yuan ✅Sand Island: Large sand dune landscape, there is an international sand sculpture art festival every July 🌟Admission: 70 yuan/person (temporarily closed) ✅Jinsha Bay Scenic Area: A desert area, an excellent place to enjoy the sand dune landscape and watch the sunset 🌟Highlights: desert motorcycle, sand sliding, camel riding 🌟Admission: free ✅Haixin Mountain (not open to the public) 🌟Haixin Mountain Temple (Lotus Temple), 30 meters high Lotus Born Great Master golden statue

The best place to embrace the sunrise and sunset at Qinghai Lake: Erlang Sword Scenic Area

🌠 Erlang Sword Scenic Area, located on the southeast shore of Qinghai Lake, was previously known as Base 151. There is a sharp peninsula extending into the lake in the northeastern part of the scenic area, stretching from south to north into the lake, resembling a long sword, hence the name Erlang Sword. 🌅 The scenic area features bird-watching platforms, deer-watching platforms, sea-viewing bridges, sea-viewing pavilions, and water entertainment activities such as jet skiing and yachting. It is also the best place to watch the sunrise and sunset over Qinghai Lake. 📝 Note tips: Staying at the hotel within the scenic area allows for free admission, which should be processed at a separate window, and guests staying in the scenic area can drive into the area for free. 🕙 Business hours: 8:30-18:00 ⏳ Recommended duration of visit: 2-3 hours 💰 Ticket price: Peak season: 90 RMB/person, Off-season: 50 RMB/person 📍 Detailed address: Beside National Highway 109, Gonghe County, Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province

Biggest salt water lake in China

Qinghai Lake, nestled in China's Qinghai Province, is the largest saltwater lake in East Asia, covering approximately 4,600 square kilometers. Its beauty lies in its serene, azure waters and the surrounding Tibetan Plateau's majestic landscapes. At an elevation of 3,205 meters, the lake is a vital ecological hotspot, home to diverse avian species and unique aquatic life. The lake holds cultural significance for Tibetans and the local Tibetan-Qiang people. It's a site for various religious ceremonies and festivals. However, environmental concerns, like shrinking water levels due to climate change and pollution, pose significant challenges to its preservation. Conservation efforts are underway to safeguard this remarkable natural treasure. #timetotravel #China #nature

Turquoise Eye of Qinghai Province

Tibetan plateau AKA "Roof of the World" is the highest in the world and Qinghai lake (青海湖) is the largest saltwater lake in China. 🌊Have you noticed that we're speaking in superlatives? It's not a coincidence. Qinghai lake (青海湖) definitely deserves to be be called the sea of the West due to its size, vastness, and the fact that it resembles a sea in certain aspects. It's a saline waters boasts incredible variety of wildlife at an altitude of 3205m. "On the plateau's crest, a jewel so grand, Qinghai Lake's waters stretch across the land. Azure skies embrace its tranquil face, A mirror of nature's serene embrace." 😍 Tips and tricks: If you want to visit Qinghai lake without any tour operators or rental cars you can easily get there from the Xining bus station (西宁汽车客运中心站). Several buses go to Qinghaihu (hu = lake) every day starting from 8AM. 🚌The drop off location is called 青海湖国家重点风景名胜区. That's the closest scenic area to the Xining city. One way ticket costs 60RMB. 💸The bus will wait for the passengers at the scenic area's parking lot for around 3 hours before heading back to the Xining bus station. To make sure you have a seat you can buy round way tickets at the Xining bus station. Total cost will be 120RMB per person. 🙃 #summerbreak #SpinTheWorld #qinghailake #xining #summervacation

Qinghai lake - the biggest in China

Only taking into consideration that it's the biggest, it's worth visiting. Yet I think Scenic area tickets are overpriced. There's not much to do in the area apart from taking pictures, riding a boat (3 types, start from 100yuan) and feeding seagulls. Still it's worth visiting, though it feels much much better if you drive a car in Qinghai (we took a shared taxi from Xining to Qinghai lake) and overall had pretty much headache with transportation in this province. Almost all the wild areas around are privately owned and you need to pay to enter (or, say, ride a horse, 200yuan per 3km round-trip to the lake🙄). This numerous fences and herds of tourists made it difficult for me to fully enjoy the beauty of the lake and surrounding landscapes (I just ran into the mountains 😂) . Also it was pretty hard to find a hotel accommodating foreigners (beginning of August). Only Chinese food (quite pricey) Still it was a great trip, I'd like to come back driving a car😁 #qinghai #qinghailake

The Beautiful Qinghai Lake

We couldn’t believe our eyes when we first saw Qinghai Lake. We were cycling down from the main road, through fields of grass and bright yellow rapeseed flowers when we first caught a glimpse of the blue water. For a split second, we forgot where we were and thought we had somehow made it to the sea! #mytripvlog

Scenic spots are everywhere in the northwest, here is a 5-day and 4-night tour guide for Qinghai and Gansu

Fly from Shanghai to Xining, rest for a night, and start the tour to Qinghai Lake the next morning. Day1, Qinghai Lake ➡️ Chaka Salt Lake The driver picked us up at 8 a.m., the first stop was Qinghai Lake. The lake is very beautiful from a distance, like a blue silk ribbon, and it is a layered blue with different depths. Heima River Scenic Area can reach the lakeside, personally think that it is more moving from a distance. Arrived at Chaka Salt Lake in the afternoon, it was drizzling when we just entered the scenic area, and then it cleared up. The mirror of the sky is indeed well-deserved, and the mountains and clouds in the distance can see very clear reflections. Day2, Chaerhan Salt Lake, Water Yadan, 315U-shaped highway Today's itinerary is quite a lot, and we set off at 6 a.m. Chaerhan Salt Lake, the water is very green without adding a filter, like flowing green jelly. Water Yadan is very beautiful, but unfortunately the weather is average, and its beauty is not photographed. U-shaped highway, I don't understand why it has become a tourist attraction. Many people sit in the middle of the road to take pictures. The truck is honking from a distance. It's so dangerous. On the way back, we passed by Xiaochaidan, the water is very clear and there are many seagulls. Day3, Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring Originally, there was a trip to Jade Lake today, but the master said that there is no need to go to Jade Lake after going to Chaerhan Salt Lake. It's very small, just a few water pits, so we cancelled this point and went directly to Mingsha Mountain. This is the first time I have seen a desert, and I am still very excited! With the help of the ladder, Mingsha Mountain is easy to climb, but the highest sand dune does not have a ladder, and you can either climb or ride an off-road vehicle. Watched a sunset at 8 o'clock on the mountain, and there were staff playing music with speakers at night, everyone was singing with flashlights, it was very atmospheric, and it was one of the top 3 of my trip. ps: The ticket for Mingsha Mountain can be used for three days. Day4, Mogao Grottoes, Rainbow Danxia I bought the earliest emergency ticket for Mogao Grottoes in advance, and watched four grottoes, a bit unfinished. Unfortunately, there is not enough time. If there is a chance, I can come to Dunhuang for a deep tour and feel the thousand-year history of Mogao Grottoes. After watching the grottoes, drove 600 kilometers to Rainbow Danxia, and encountered a small tornado on the way. There are 4 stations in the Danxia Scenic Area. There is no need to get off at the first station. The scenery of 2, 3, and 4 is good, especially the 4th station, there are many people, and there are hot air balloons. Day5, Qilian Prairie, Menyuan Rapeseed Flower This season is not the most beautiful time of the prairie, but I experienced horse riding! Fun. The rapeseed flowers have basically withered, and the tour of Qinghai and Gansu is basically over. Later, I stayed in Xining for two more days to rest, visited the Tibetan Culture Museum, and then returned home! In summary, the body is suffering, the eyes are enjoying, it's worth the trip!

Qinggan Loop Line | Three-day tour guide of Qinghai Lake in the northwest

Resign and travel to 100 places! The place to go today is - Qinghai Lake You must go to the northwest once in your life! The first stop of Qinggan Loop Line - "Qinghai Lake" It's beautiful when the weather is good~ Self-driving tour: Xining - Qinghai Lake (213km takes 3 hours) The scenery along the way is beautiful, and it's beautiful no matter how you shoot it through the grassland The temperature difference between morning and evening is large! Prepare a storm jacket or thick coat, you can take it off when taking pictures The plateau ultraviolet rays are very strong, pay attention to sun protection Qinghai Lake has been fenced, mainly divided into three viewing areas: 1. Erlang Sword Scenic Area It's said to be expensive and not fun, the lake is not good-looking with railings, and you have to take a sightseeing train, we decisively pass! 2. Heima River Navigate to "Heima River Qinghai Lake", free admission! Take a small train to see the beautiful Qinghai Lake! There are not many tourists, and there are no railings here, my photos are taken here~ Take pictures with yaks, free parking 3. Dawa Ranch Internet Celebrity Sunrise Viewing Platform After going to Heima River, navigate to "Dawa Ranch", only 16km and you will arrive in a few minutes. You will see a free viewing platform when you arrive! Go forward and turn a corner, there is a herdsman's home on the left, the photos of Qinghai Lake on the hillside are taken here~ Today's destination is - "Chaka Salt Lake" in the Sky, it's beautiful when the weather is good, and the blue sky and white clouds are reflected on the lake~ Accommodation needs to be booked in advance, it's expensive to book on the same day, it's cold at night and you will sleep on the street! Self-driving tour: Qinghai Lake - Chaka Salt Lake (250km 3.5h) The plateau ultraviolet rays are very strong, pay attention to sun protection Chaka Salt Lake outfit, it is recommended to use a color system for better photos, the sun is dazzling and the eyes can't be opened. Photo tips 1. If you want to take a picture with no one in the background like me! You must arrive at Chaka Salt Lake around seven or eight in the morning (there are quite a lot of people at the entrance of the scenic spot at this time), and there will be more and more people coming in one after another, and there will be a crowd of people when you come out at 12 noon 2. If you want to rent shoe covers to go down to the lake, you have to rent them early, or you will have to queue up! 3. You can take the small train directly to the terminal station, there are more internet celebrity check-in points in the innermost part, play in this order from the last station, you can avoid the crowd The third stop of Qinggan Loop Line - "Emerald Lake", the palette that God lost in the world is the location of Yi Yangqianxi's Little Red Flower movie! It's beautiful when the weather is good~ Self-driving tour: Chaka Salt Lake - Emerald Lake (410km takes 4.5 hours) There are mountains and Gobi along this section of the road, prepare dry food, but the roads are all asphalt roads, very good to drive~ The temperature difference between morning and evening is large! Bring a good storm jacket or thick coat, you can take it off when taking pictures The plateau ultraviolet rays are very strong, pay attention to sun protection Photo tips 1. Admission ticket + small train (free for Zhejiang people) The small train goes directly to the last station to get off, the lake inside is blue and green, the lake you see when you first enter is not good-looking 2. There will be no one's angle to take pictures after getting off the car and walking in a bit, the lake near the road is crowded with people, and the background is all people 3. I went in the afternoon, and the sky was a bit cloudy. It is recommended to go in the morning 4. The wind is very strong, pay attention to the items not to be blown away

I have seen the Galaxy before, but it is the first time I can see the Galaxy at such a close distance. At about 8 o'clock in the evening, you can see the gleaming stars, the galaxy across the sky, and the more obvious in the place where there is no light. I wanted to go far to shoot, but the wind is big and cold at night. People are still a little scared, so they will shoot some. But the Galaxy here really feels like you can touch it by hand~

Longyangxia is located in the upper reaches of the Yellow River in Gonghe County, Qinghai. It is the first gorge of the Yellow River after entering the Yellow River Gorge after the Qinghai Prairie. The mouth of the Yellow River is only 30 meters wide. The walls of the hard granite are nearly 200 meters high. Establish a treasure land for the dam. In the Grand Canyon of the Dragon and Yellow River, nature is engraved with the creativity of the ghosts and the layers of the rock formations. It is the most imposing gorge on the Yellow River. The valleys are ridges and ridges, the peaks and peaks, the steep walls, and the Tianmen Gate. The landscape features of "odd, secluded, deep, different, dangerous, dense". Known as "China's Colorado Grand Canyon." Opening time: 1, Longyangxia Scenic Spot Ticket Price: 60 yuan 2, Longyangxia Scenic Area Opening Hours: 9:00-17:30 A, self-driving line 4 Xining Yilongyangxia 1, the starting point of the people to the Beijing-Tibet Expressway, the Beijing-Tibet Expressway, the Xiqiao Expressway, the Yijing Expressway, the Beijing-Lanzhou line, the end point, the Jingla Line, and the destination. 2, from the starting point to Kun Nian West Road Kunyu West Road, Xichuan South Road G109, Xiqiao Expressway, one Beijing pull line, one Beijing pull line to the end. 3, from the starting point to Kun Nian West Road, Kunming West Road, Xichuan South Road G109 Jingla Line to the end. 2 Yushu Yilongyangxia: From the starting point to G214G214 to the end. 3 Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Yilongyang Gorge: The starting point of the cluster to Qinghai Hunan Street, Qinghai Hunan Street to the end. 4 Guoluo Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture Longyangxia 1, from the starting point to S101S101-Xijiu Highway-S210 to the end point. 2. From the starting point to S101 5101-S210 to the end point.

Longyangxia artificial reservoir has become a beautiful tourist attraction. The dam locks the Yellow River, Gaoxia is out of Pinghu blue waves, lakes and mountains, and a boat ride around the lake for a week, the sky is green and the heart is refreshing. The Yellow River water is here. clear yellow water, is the endowment of nature

Must-see guide for Qinghai-Gansu loop tour from January to March, please remember

【Must-see guide for Qinghai-Gansu loop tour from January to March, princess please remember❗】🏰🌄📷 Lakes, grasslands, deserts, Gobi, snow mountains, salt lakes... Wait for a sunny day, and you will see a different style❗️ Is it really good to travel to the northwest in the off-season❓✅No need to queue✅No traffic jam✅Beautiful price✅Half price tickets or free 🧳 About the route: You can enjoy the essence of the northwest in 5-8 days ➡️ About the itinerary: The group is for 4-6 people 💰 The cost includes all car expenses, photography fees and shooting costumes 🚗 About transportation: 5-seater suv|7-8-seater business|nanny car Day1: Xining-Qinghai Lake Heima River Scenic Area-Chaka Salt Lake Sky One-Delingha Day2: Delingha-315U-shaped Highway-Dongtai and Nier Lake~Dunhuang Day3: Dunhuang-Mogao Caves-Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring-Dunhuang Day4: Dunhuang-Son of the Earth-Unbounded-Zhangye Danxia Day5: Zhangye-Qilian Grassland-Menyuan Scenic Avenue-Heiquan Reservoir-Xining 🖼 What are the highlights? The disappeared Dongtai and Nier Lake are back 😮 Qinghai Lake: The blue lake is sparkling, known as the plateau sapphire 💙 Chaka Salt Lake: The lake is the same color as the sky, the salt lake and the snow peak shine together, walking on the salt lake, as if walking in the clouds ☁️ Mogao Caves: A thousand years at a glance, the cave contains exquisite murals and statues, exquisite and unparalleled, you can see 12 caves, half more than the 🔥peak season, you can watch slowly, feel quietly 🕊️ Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring: A lonely sandbar is cold at a glance, the sand mountain reflects the snow and the spring is intoxicating, the sunset camel🐪 team is super photogenic📸 Colorful Danxia: The bright and gorgeous colors on the undulating mountains, one piece after another is like a palette overturned by God 🎨 ♥️♥️ Welcome to the Northwest for a tour, if you have any questions, you can leave a message to kick me, muah 😘

When the sun rises a little bit and shines with golden light tourists have picked up the camera and started taking photos and taking pictures, but I didn't shoot too much, because this sunrise really didn't last time I came to the Black Horse River. Seeing the beauty, basically at the seaside can see such a sunrise remember the last sunrise when the clouds on the sky are wavy, a wave of waves from the horizon, golden light from the gaps of the clouds Penetrating, the shock is really memorable