🧭 Table of Contents
- Getting to Know Qinghai
- Qinghai 4-Day Itinerary Summary
- Practical Tips Before You Travel
- Altitude Sickness Preparation
- Weather & What to Wear
- Transportation🚗
- Duration🕓 & Difficulty
- Accommodation🛏
- Food🍲& Water
青海
Getting to Know Qinghai
On the highest rooftop of a nation, the quietest story begins.
In the northwest of China, at an elevation of over 3,000 meters, stretches a vast plateau called Qinghai (青海, Qīnghǎi).
Its name, meaning “blue sea,” originates from the great lake at its heart—Qinghai Lake (青海湖, Qīnghǎi Hú).
Qinghai has long served as a gateway between the Tibetan Plateau, inland China, and the Western Regions. Bordered by Lhasa to the west, Sichuan to the south, and Gansu to the north, it is a crossroads where nature and civilization quietly converge. More than just a regional name, it is a space where cultures from all directions gently interlace.
Three Rivers, One Heart
Qinghai is often called “the water source of China.” The Yangtze River (长江, Chángjiāng), Yellow River (黄河, Huánghé), and Lancang River (澜沧江, Láncāngjiāng)—three of China’s great rivers—all originate here. Their birthplace, known as Sanjiangyuan (三江源, Sānjiāngyuán), is now designated as a national nature reserve and a globally recognized ecological zone.
Each river sustains the life and history of China, and their shared origin marks Qinghai as the heart that breathes life into the entire Chinese landscape.
A Border of Civilizations, A Space for Reflection
With an average elevation exceeding 3,000 meters, Qinghai lies where the Loess Plateau of the east meets the Tibetan Plateau in the west. Even within China, it has long been viewed as “the edge of the inland.”
Historically, Qinghai has been a contact zone between Tibetan Buddhism and Han Chinese civilization, making it a region where countless ethnic groups, religions, and languages coexist. It is a place where one civilization ends and another begins—a true borderland of worlds.
Ta’er Monastery and Tsongkhapa, Layers of Time
One of Qinghai’s most significant spiritual sites is Ta’er Monastery (塔尔寺, Tǎ’ěrsì), the birthplace of Tsongkhapa (宗喀巴, Zōngkǎbā), founder of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. Even today, pilgrims continue to visit, keeping centuries of tradition alive.
The monastery is not only a place of worship—it is a physical testimony to the region’s layered identity. Its architecture is a harmonious blend of Tibetan and Han Chinese elements, reflecting a long history of cultural fusion. Ta’er Monastery is built time, its stones narrating the story of a border made sacred.
A Name That Reads Like a Poem
The very name “Qinghai” is rich with philosophical meaning:
- 青 (Qīng): Often translated as “blue” or “green,” this character also symbolizes wisdom and the sky in Tibetan Buddhism. It suggests that Qinghai is not just a physical highland, but a plateau of thought and contemplation.
- 海 (Hǎi): “Sea.” Though there is no ocean here, the region is home to Qinghai Lake (青海湖, Qīnghǎi Hú), a vast body of water so expansive and serene that it evokes the depth and scale of the sea itself. The light that spreads across its surface defies ordinary description.
Together, these characters make Qinghai a philosophical space beyond geography. Here, each mountain, each stone, each body of water becomes a symbol, and each word opens a doorway to a different world.
青海旅游路线
Qinghai 4-Day Itinerary Summary
🚩Destination List
- Xining (西宁, Xīníng)
- Ta’er Monastery (塔尔寺, Tǎ’ěrsì)
- Laji Mountain (拉脊山, Lājǐ Shān)
- Riyue Mountain (日月山, Rìyuè Shān)
- Qinghai Lake (青海湖, Qīnghǎi Hú)
- Heimahe (黑马河, Hēimǎhé)
- Chaka Salt Lake (茶卡盐湖, Chákǎ Yánhú)
- Gangcha (刚察, Gāngchá)
- Dadongshu Pass (大冬树垭口, Dàdōngshù Yākǒu)
- Zhuo’er Mountain (卓尔山, Zhuó’ěr Shān)
- Qilian (祁连, Qílián)
- Xining (西宁, Xīníng)
📅Day 1
Xining 西宁
– Arrive at Xining Airport, hotel check-in
– Visit Qinghai Provincial Museum and Dongguan Mosque
– Explore Mojia Street Night Market
🌛 Overnight in Xining
📅Day 2
- Ta’er Monastery (塔尔寺): Visit the Tibetan Buddhist temple (approx. 1 hr from Xining)
- Laji & Riyue Mountains (拉脊山 & 日月山): Scenic highland drive, great photo spots
- Qinghai Lake (青海湖): Enjoy rapeseed fields (Jul–Aug) and lake views at Erlangjian Scenic Area
- Heimahe (黑马河): Drive approx. 1.5 hrs from Qinghai Lake
🌛 Overnight in Heimahe
📅Day 3
- Heimahe: Sunrise over Qinghai Lake (tranquil, golden reflections)
- Chaka Salt Lake (茶卡盐湖): “Mirror of the Sky,” perfect for photography (approx. 1.5 hrs from Heimahe)
- Gangcha (刚察): A historic Tibetan nomad land
- Dadongshu Pass (大冬树垭口): Cross a 4,120m mountain pass, view snow peaks and alpine grasslands
- Zhuo’er Mountain (卓尔山): Panoramic view of Qilian Mountains and grasslands
- Qilian (祁连): Dinner and rest
🌛 Overnight in Qilian
📅Day 4
Qilian → Xining
- Drive back (approx. 4.5–5 hours)
- End of trip in Xining
Highlights of the Route
🔄 Circular route — no repeated roads
🌄 Balanced mix of landscapes, highlands, and culture
📷 Ideal for scenic photography — Chaka Salt Lake, Qilian grasslands
🚗 Car travel only (no train access) → Recommended: hire a driver
出行须知
Practical Tips Before You Travel
🏔️Altitude Sickness Preparation
Most of Qinghai lies above 3,000 meters. Traveling here means entering a different physical environment—breathing, sunlight, and even the sense of time feel altered.
Altitude sickness (高原反应) is the most common concern. Symptoms vary by person but may include headaches, dizziness, insomnia, appetite loss, or shortness of breath.
Tips for prevention & coping:
- Take Rhodiola capsules or American ginseng (西洋参) for a week before departure.
- Avoid overexertion on the first day; rest and move slowly.
- Drink plenty of water and stay warm.
- If symptoms worsen, use oxygen cans, portable oxygen kits, or seek medical help.
Most people adapt within 1–2 days. The key is not to ignore your body—listen and move at your own pace.
⛅Weather & What to Wear
In Qinghai, the weather can shift through all four seasons in a single day. Morning might feel like winter, noon like summer, and night back to winter again. Sudden gusts, bright sun, or rain can catch travelers off guard.
Clothing essentials:
- Wear layers: thermal underwear + T-shirt + fleece + windbreaker.
- Bring a hat, gloves, and thick socks.
- Sunscreen (SPF 50+), sunglasses, and lip balm are must-haves.
- For dresses or skirts, pack leggings or shorts—strong winds are common.
🚗 Transportation
Qinghai is bigger than France. Travel between sites often means hundreds of kilometers. Many highlights are unreachable by public transport.
Best options:
- Rent a private car with a driver (ideal for 2–4 people).
- Join a local tour agency—cost-effective but research reviews first.
Starting point: Xining (西宁) is the main hub for all travel routes.
🕓 Duration & Difficulty
- Recommended trip length: at least 4 days, 3 nights
- Distance covered: Approx. 1,000 km
- Difficulty: Moderate (High altitude zones require adjustment)
🛏️ Accommodation
Expect basic facilities in rural areas. Around Qinghai Lake or Chaka Salt Lake, views are stunning but lodgings may lack amenities.
Recommended stay: 1 night each in Xining, Heimahe, and Qilian.
Booking tips:
- Book at least one month early in peak season (July–August).
- Confirm hot water, heating, and bathroom type.
- Choose cleanliness over scenery.
- Bring a warm blanket if staying in high-altitude areas.
🍲 Food & Water
Qinghai cuisine blends Tibetan and Muslim Hui flavors—meaty, salty, and oily. Digestion may slow at altitude, so eat cautiously.
Must-try foods:
- Qinghai lamb (tender with no gamey smell)
- Traditional yogurt (老酸奶, lǎo suānnǎi) topped with sweet grains (甜醅, tián pèi)
- Niangpi (酿皮): spicy cold noodle strips
- Kangguo lamb ribs (炕锅羊排): rich and filling stew
Eating tips:
- Drink only bottled water.
- Start with light foods like porridge or soup.
- Bring snacks—some shops may open only every other day.
