Qinghai Attraction Guide
Qinghai (青海) is high-plateau country — literally "Blue Sea," named for Qinghai Lake itself. Most of the province sits above 3,000 m on the northeastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau, with a mix of Tibetan Buddhist, Hui Muslim, and Mongolian cultures. Expect big skies, thin air, and landscapes that flip between alpine lake, salt flat, and grassland within a single day.
青海湖 Qinghai Lake
China's largest lake — a 3,205–3,260 m-high alkaline salt lake whose color shifts between deep blue and green (青海湖, Qīnghǎi Hú; Tibetan: Mtsho-sngon-po). Bird sanctuaries, yak herders, and rapeseed fields ring its 360 km shoreline.
- 二郎剑 Erlangjian Peninsula (Èrlángjiàn) — The main developed scenic point on the south shore: boardwalks, yurts, boat rides, and the classic lake panorama.
- 鸟岛 Bird Island (Niǎo Dǎo) — Cormorant Island and Egg Island on the lake's western side, a key stop on Asian bird migration routes and a sanctuary of the Qinghai Lake Nature Reserve since 1997. Go April–June for the densest bird colonies.
- 黑马河 Heima River (Hēimǎ Hé) — The west-shore village famous for sunrise over the lake; photographers line the shore at dawn.
- 沙岛 Shadao (Shā Dǎo) — The "Sand Island" area on the northeast shore where desert dunes meet the lake.
- 环湖骑行 Lake circuit cycling — The 360 km lakeside loop is one of China's iconic cycling routes (usually done over 3–4 days; start at Xihai town).
茶卡 Chaka
- 茶卡盐湖 Chaka Salt Lake (Chákǎ Yánhú) — The "Mirror of the Sky" (天空之镜, Tiānkōng zhī Jìng): a shallow salt lake whose glassy surface reflects the sky on calm, sunny days — China's most famous skymirror photo spot. Go on a windless morning or evening for the mirror effect; midday crowds are heavy and the reflection is weaker. The little train runs to the lake's center.
- 茶卡镇 Chaka town — Small salt-town base with guesthouses; the lake is a few kilometers out.
- 橡皮山 Rubber Mountain (Xiàngpí Shān) — The pass on the road from Qinghai Lake to Chaka, with prayer-flag viewpoints over the valley.
- 莫河骆驼场 Mohe Camel Farm — Optional desert-edge stop on the Chaka side, good for camel photos in the dunes.
西宁 Xining
Xining (西宁, Xīníng) is the provincial capital at 2,275 m — the gateway city, and the most culturally layered stop in the province.
- 塔尔寺 Ta'er Monastery (Tǎ'ěr Sì) — Kumbum Monastery (Tibetan: Kumbum Jampa Ling): founded 1583 at the birthplace of Je Tsongkhapa, founder of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism, and second in importance only to Lhasa. Famous for its golden-roofed temples, the "Tree of Great Merit" legend, and exquisite butter sculptures (酥油花), embroidery thangkas, and murals — the "three arts" of the monastery.
- 东关清真大寺 Dongguan Mosque (Dōngguān Qīngzhēn Dàsì) — One of northwest China's largest mosques, a landmark of Qinghai's Hui Muslim community in the old city center.
- 青海省博物馆 Qinghai Provincial Museum (Qīnghǎi Shěng Bówùguǎn) — Strong on Tibetan Buddhist art and the Sanjiangyuan (Three Rivers Source) ecology exhibits.
- 青藏高原野生动物园 Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Wildlife Zoo — Good snow leopard and plateau wildlife collection.
- 莫家街 Mojia Street — The old food street for Qinghai yogurt (酸奶), hand-pulled lamb noodles, and sweet fermented rice (甜醅).
柴达木 & 可可西里 Qaidam & Hoh Xil
The far west of Qinghai is raw, remote, and heavily protected.
- 可可西里 Hoh Xil (Kěkě Xīlǐ) — UNESCO World Heritage (2017): the vast uninhabited high plateau between the Kunlun and Tanggula ranges, home to Tibetan antelope (藏羚羊), wild yaks, and the film-famous antipoaching story. Access is restricted — most visitors see it only from the Qinghai-Tibet Highway or railway; entry to the core reserve requires permits and is generally not open to independent tourists.
- 门源 Menyuan rapeseed flowers (Ményuán Yóucàihuā) — Each July, ~600 km² of rapeseed bloom across the Menyuan basin under snow-capped Qilian peaks — one of China's great flower spectacles. Peak is usually mid-July.
- 日月山 Riyue Mountain (Rìyuè Shān) — "Sun and Moon Mountain," the historic pass where Princess Wencheng entered Tibet in the 7th century; viewpoint over Qinghai Lake's eastern end.
- 倒淌河 Daotang River (Dàotǎng Hé) — The famously "backward-flowing" river that runs west into Qinghai Lake instead of east — a classic roadside stop between Xining and the lake.
- 察尔汗盐湖 Qarhan Salt Lake (Chá'ěrhàn Yánhú) — In the Qaidam Basin near Golmud: one of the world's largest salt lakes, with the long "ten-thousand-meter salt bridge" (万丈盐桥) highway across the salt crust.
Practical Tips
Best season: June–September. July is peak for Menyuan rapeseed flowers and Bird Island; August–September brings the most stable weather around Qinghai Lake. Chaka's mirror effect needs calm, sunny days — summer mornings are best. Winters are brutally cold and many grassland roads close.
Getting around: Xining is the rail/air hub (high-speed rail from Lanzhou, ~1 hr). Rent a car with a driver or join a 3–5-day loop: Xining → Ta'er Monastery → Riyue Mountain → Qinghai Lake (south shore) → Chaka → back via the north shore and Menyuan. The classic loop covers everything in 4–5 days.
Altitude: Qinghai Lake sits at ~3,200 m; Xining at 2,275 m; passes on the Chaka road reach ~3,800 m. Most visitors feel fine, but take it easy on day one, hydrate, avoid alcohol the first night, and skip strenuous cycling until acclimatized. UV is intense — sunscreen and sunglasses are essential year-round.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Can I swim in Qinghai Lake?
A: No — it's a protected nature reserve and an alkaline salt lake (pH ~9.3). Swimming is prohibited; stick to the boardwalks and beaches for photos.
Q: Is Chaka Salt Lake worth it if the weather is bad?
A: Honestly, no — the whole appeal is the mirror reflection, which needs sun and no wind. If it's overcast or windy, the lake looks like ordinary grey water. Check the forecast and prioritize a calm morning.
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qinghai_Lake
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kumbum_Monastery
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaka_Salt_Lake
- https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1540