Qinghai

Qinghai is an inland province in Northwestern China. It is the largest province of China (excluding autonomous regions) by area and has the third smallest population. Its capital and largest city is Xining. Qinghai borders Gansu on the northeast, Xinjiang on the northwest, Sichuan on the southeast and the Tibet Autonomous Region on the southwest. Qinghai province was established in 1928 during the period of the Republic of China, and until 1949 was ruled by Chinese Muslim warlords known as the Ma clique. The Chinese name "Qinghai" is after Qinghai Lake, the largest lake in China. The lake is known as Tso ngon in Tibetan, and as Kokonor Lake in English, derived from the Mongol Oirat name for Qinghai Lake. Both Tso ngon and Kokonor are names found in historic documents to describe the region. Located mostly on the Tibetan Plateau, the province is inhabited by a number of peoples including the Han (concentrated in the provincial capital of Xining, nearby Haidong, and Haixi), Tibetans, Hui, Mongols, Monguors, and Salars. According to the 2021 census reports, Tibetans constitute a fifth of the population of Qinghai and the Hui compose roughly a sixth of the population. There are over 37 recognized ethnic groups among Qinghai's population of 5.6 million, with national minorities making up a total of 49.5% of the population. The area of Qinghai came under the control of the Manchu-led Qing Dynasty around 1724, after their defeat of Khoshut Mongols who previously controlled most of the area. After the Xinhai Revolution and the ensuing fall of the Qing dynasty in 1912, Qinghai came under Chinese Muslim warlord Ma Qi's control until the Northern Expedition by the Republic of China consolidated central control in 1928. In the same year, the province of Qinghai was established by the Nationalist Government, with Xining as its capital.

One-Day Qinghai Tour Itinerary Recommendations

Theme:

Alpine Sacred Lakes + Tibetan Culture + Sky Mirror

Suitable for:

Short trips to Xining/Qinghai Lake/Chaka, optimal with chartered car/self-driving

Practical Tips

Altitude Tips:

Qinghai Lake 3200m - avoid exertion | Bring Rhodiola/oxygen

Ticket Prices:

Qinghai Lake ¥90 | Chaka ¥60 + train ¥50 | Kumbum ¥70

Must-Try Flavors:

Xining: Knife-cut noodles, offal soup

Qinghai Lake: Yellow mushrooms with meat, tsampa

Chaka: Salt-baked eggs, yak jerky

Optimization Tips:

Best July-August for Qinghai Lake | Add Golden Sand Bay sandboarding

Chaka needs windless sunny days | Best light before 10am/after 4pm

Culture combo: "Roof of the World" Musical theater (8pm Qinghai Grand Theater)

(Note: Xining→Chaka It is recommended to stay near the scenic spot the night before, as the drive is long and needs to be planned properly)

Option 1:

Qinghai Lake Classic Loop

Best for:

Photographers, nature explorers

Transport:

Chartered car from Xining (~2.5hrs)

06:30-09:00 Heima River Sunrise

Best sunrise spot over golden-lit lake (bring heavy jacket)

09:30-12:00 West Lake Cycling

10km lakeside ride | July-August rapeseed flower seas

12:30-14:00 Tibetan Lunch

Recommended: Snowland Tibetan Restaurant (yak hotpot + butter tea)

14:30-17:00 Bird Island/Erlangjian Scenic Area

Summer: Migratory birds | Winter: Blue ice wonders

18:00 Lakeside Star Camp

Milky Way viewing (3200m altitude - prevent altitude sickness)

Option 2:

Chaka Salt Lake "Sky Mirror"

Best for:

Couples, culture seekers

Transport:

Tourist train from Xining (~4hrs)

07:00-10:30 Chaka Salt Lake

Train to lake center | Wear bright dresses for mirror photos (bring sandals/waterproof boots)

11:00-12:30 Salt Sculpture Square

World's largest outdoor salt carvings | Genghis Khan statue

12:30-14:00 Plateau Lunch

Salted ice cream + lamb with rolled noodles

14:30-17:00 Emerald Lake (Dachaidan)

Tiffany-blue salt lake drone shots (1.5hr drive, less crowded)

18:00 Delingha Haizi Poetry Museum

"Tonight I'm in Delingha" literary pilgrimage

Option 3:

Kumbum Monastery Culture

Best for:

Heritage lovers, families

Transport:

Xining Bus 909 (1hr direct)

08:00-10:30 Kumbum Monastery

Gelugpa Sect holy site | "Three Artistic Treasures": butter sculptures/murals/embroidery

11:00-12:30 Tibetan Medicine Museum

World's longest thangka (618m) | Tibetan diagnosis experience

12:30-14:00 Halal Lunch

Yixin Hand-Ripped Lamb (with "dog pee" pancakes + yak yogurt)

14:30-17:00 Dongguan Mosque

NW China's one of the four major mosques | Friday 10,000 people worship spectacle

18:00 Mojia Street Night Market

Sweet fermented barley + liangpi + grilled lamb ribs | Buy cordyceps (beware fakes)