Qinghai Lake Travel Guide

【Introduction】: Qinghai Lake is located in Gonghe County, Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province. It is one of the must-visit spots on the Qinghai-Gansu loop and is praised by National Geographic as the "most beautiful lake" and one of the "55 places to visit in a lifetime." In Tibetan, it is called "Tso Ngonpo," meaning "blue sea." The average altitude is 3196 meters, and it is said to be the "Jade Pool" of the Queen Mother of the West. ⛺【Must-visit Spots】: Qinghai Lake Fishery: The rapeseed flowers bloom here, creating a sea of flowers that merges with the lake. You can ride horses or yaks (note the season for these activities). Erlangjian: Requires a ticket of 90r. You can take a boat (140r or 180r). You can walk along the boardwalk to the lakeside or take a boat/speedboat. The facilities are well-developed. Luohou Yakou (Nanshan) Viewing Platform: A ten-minute drive from Erlangjian, offering a panoramic view of Qinghai Lake. Fairy Bay Scenic Area: Ticket is 60r, located on the north shore of Qinghai Lake. It is best to visit in July and August when the grass is green. It features alpine meadows and wetlands. Heimahe: Ideal for watching the sunrise. There is a shuttle bus for 20r. Accommodation is available, and you can go down to the lakeside. Huanhu West Road: Close to the lake, with high terrain, suitable for cycling around the lake to watch the sunrise. Cliff: Sightseeing bus for 20r. You can get close to the lake, feed fish, take photos, ride horses, and hold sheep. The scenery is spectacular, suitable for tourists with ample time. Jinsha Bay Scenic Area: Features desert areas where you can see the coexistence of sand dunes and the lake. It is an excellent spot for watching the sunset and sand sliding. 🛬【Travel Tips】: Best time to visit: May to June is the season for bird watching; July to September is the best season for viewing, with blooming rapeseed flowers and the migration of Huang fish. Duration: You can plan your visit according to the entire Qinghai-Gansu loop itinerary. It is recommended to spend 2-3 hours at Qinghai Lake or adjust according to personal preference. Travel order and itinerary: Start from Riyue Mountain and drive west for 1 hour to reach. Enter Erlangjian Scenic Area, you can walk or take a shuttle bus to the lakeside, check in at the statue of the Queen Mother of the West, and take a boat to enjoy lake entertainment activities and feed seagulls in the lake center. 🏨【Accommodation Tips】: There are homestays near the Erlangjian Scenic Area of Qinghai Lake, offering a distant view of the lake. 🧡【Tips】: Transportation: You can take a bus from the bus station next to Xining Railway Station or drive by yourself. Clothing suggestions: Sky blue, white, or ethnic clothing with shawls are photogenic. Some scenic spots have different suitable visiting conditions due to seasons or other reasons, such as Fairy Bay, which is not recommended to visit in September when the grass turns yellow.