I am very glad with information given in this page. Now i prepare to visit Qinghai at the end of this month. As i realised summer is the best time for tourism to this region.
Camping with Tibetans on the grasslands of Amdo and kham can give you an up close look at nomadic Tibetan life that is quickly disappearing. You can help milk the yaks in the morning and then lead them up the mountains to graze (under the watchful eye of a local nomad of course). You can learn how meals are cooked over a yak dung fire and explore the vast grasslands by doing day hikes in the area. Most importantly, you can experience Tibetan hospitality which is second to none. The regions where nomadic camping is arranged are authentic Tibetan areas. They are not "special camps" that are set up for tourists like the one's found in some places in Mongolia. Living conditions are difficult with very few modern conveniences. Even without these things, your time will be a lot of fun and one that you will remember for a lifetime. Living among Tibetan nomads is something that few foreigners are able to experience.
Summer is the best time to go camping with nomads. Most home stays are for 4 to 6 days. All nomad camping trips begin in the city of Xining which is the capital of Qinghai province (located in the far northeastern region of Amdo). Unless you can speak Tibetan, it is highly recommended to hire an English speaking Tibetan translator to go with you. Take a look here for more pictures of Tibetan nomads.
The traditional Yushu Chenduo county Horse Racing Festival is from August 1th to 7th each year. This date coincides with the region's most beautiful time of year. On the green grassland, herds of black yaks, brown horses and white sheep are scattered around the multi-colored wild flowers. The blue rivers flow from the snow-capped mountain and into the distance. The annual horse racing festival is a pageant of local Yushu Tibetans and now, for us as well. The Tibetans will dress in their traditional costumes for the event and hundreds of white tents will be set up on the green grassland in one night. The program of the festival includes horse racing, Tibetan tumbling, horsemanship, archery, shooting, dancing and singing. The Tibetan costume exhibition is another highlight of the festival.
Tashi Delek
14.
Jun. 12,2009 22:35
Reply
Mr.Loong(Malaysia) said:
Hi
My group & I will be arriving in Qinghai at about 16:00 in mad-September 2009 from a long road journey from Zhangye in the morning, same day. Our plan is to proceed to and spend a night Xining after visiting Qinghai Lake. Is this advisable as we will then be on the road for any 3 hours or so?
Or is it worthwhile to spend a night in Qinghai? If so, any recommendation for reasonably celan and safe hotels in around Qinghai Lake?
What other attractions are there if we put up a night in Qinghai?
Jun. 14,2009 01:40 Mr.Colin replied:
Hi, Mr Loong You mean you arriver at the lake area at 16:00?! Suggest you have a night stay there. There are hotels in the scenic area, however most of the hotels are not as good as those in city center. Suggest you stay in Bird Island Hotel. It is the best there. The lake is very large and attractions are scattered. Bird island is a famous one. There are also Erlangjian Scenic area and so on.
15.
Jun. 3,2009 08:11
Reply
Mr.Dylanov(Kazakhstan) said:
Will tourist experience any 'high attitude sickness' in Qinghai? I would love to visit Qinghai, but am afraid of the weather conditions there. Used to have childhood asthma... Any advice?
Jun. 4,2009 01:53 Mr.John replied:
Generally, it is ok for most of the people to Qinghai Plateau. It is just a little cold in the morning. Keep warm. People suffering from serious lung illness is not advisable to the plateau. I guess you have no asthma now? Suggest you has a medical examination before going and ask advice from doctor. Hong Jing Tian is an effective local herbal medicine for plateau sickness. Hope it is helpful.
16.
Jun. 2,2009 09:55
Reply
Mr.Jenny(Malaysia) said:
I shall be visiting Qinghai in late Aug/Sept 2009. will i be able to see any bird migration on Bird Island?
Jun. 3,2009 04:02 Mr.Stanley replied:
The best time to see countless birds on th eisland is May-July, ie. summer. November to Feburary is good season to see swans. Before the winter comes, most of the birds has flew away and only left swan, wide duck and lark, few species. August and Septemer is good time to see raper flower field. Birds still there at the period, I think. Just not the best season.
17.
May. 11,2009 15:37
Reply
Ms.p thorstenson said:
I will be in Gonghe in July and August 2009. Is there a tourism office there that I can use to arrange visits to the locations listed in this document? Is tansportation from Gonghe to the areas mentioned available? Guide? Engluish speaking guides? Any informationw ill be greatly appreciated. Thank you,
May. 11,2009 22:10 Ms.Lily replied:
The top attraction around Gonghe should be the famous Qinghai Lake and the Sun and Moon Mountain. I'm afraid that it is difficult to have an English guide there. So, you could look for a travel agency in advance, which could arrange a proper route with English guide for visiting. These places don't have very convenient public transportation, so if you have employed a travel agency, the transporation will be easier~
18.
Feb. 2,2009 00:38
Reply
Mrs.Lee(China) said:
I am a local from Qinghai. The Qinghai Tourism Bureau is aiming to develop ecotourism in Sanjiangyuan area (the three river source area. The Temple of Princess Wencheng and Leba Valley of Yuxi will be integrated into a world heritage site.
For a long time, Leba Valley and the Temple of Princess Wencheng have been open to tourists as two independent scenic areas. Tourists had only a short stay in the two sites respectively. To promote tourism around the two sites, the local tourism administration planned to integrate the two sites into a larger cultural tourist site of world heritage. Also, folk-custom villages will be built around the sites. Tourists will be able to explore the Tibetan culture and savor the distinct local delicacies.
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Travelers' Voices on Qinghai Province (18)
11.
Jun. 17,2009 22:06 Reply
Mr.Auwal(Nigeria) said:
I am very glad with information given in this page. Now i prepare to visit Qinghai at the end of this month. As i realised summer is the best time for tourism to this region.
12.
Jun. 14,2009 02:22 Reply
TASHI said:
Camping with Nomads on the Grasslands
Camping with Tibetans on the grasslands of Amdo and kham can give you an up close look at nomadic Tibetan life that is quickly disappearing. You can help milk the yaks in the morning and then lead them up the mountains to graze (under the watchful eye of a local nomad of course). You can learn how meals are cooked over a yak dung fire and explore the vast grasslands by doing day hikes in the area. Most importantly, you can experience Tibetan hospitality which is second to none. The regions where nomadic camping is arranged are authentic Tibetan areas. They are not "special camps" that are set up for tourists like the one's found in some places in Mongolia. Living conditions are difficult with very few modern conveniences. Even without these things, your time will be a lot of fun and one that you will remember for a lifetime. Living among Tibetan nomads is something that few foreigners are able to experience.
Summer is the best time to go camping with nomads. Most home stays are for 4 to 6 days. All nomad camping trips begin in the city of Xining which is the capital of Qinghai province (located in the far northeastern region of Amdo). Unless you can speak Tibetan, it is highly recommended to hire an English speaking Tibetan translator to go with you. Take a look here for more pictures of Tibetan nomads.
13.
Jun. 14,2009 02:16 Reply
Mr.TASHI(China) said:
My Dear Friend la
The traditional Yushu Chenduo county Horse Racing Festival is from August 1th to 7th each year. This date coincides with the region's most beautiful time of year. On the green grassland, herds of black yaks, brown horses and white sheep are scattered around the multi-colored wild flowers. The blue rivers flow from the snow-capped mountain and into the distance.
The annual horse racing festival is a pageant of local Yushu Tibetans and now, for us as well. The Tibetans will dress in their traditional costumes for the event and hundreds of white tents will be set up on the green grassland in one night. The program of the festival includes horse racing, Tibetan tumbling, horsemanship, archery, shooting, dancing and singing. The Tibetan costume exhibition is another highlight of the festival.
Tashi Delek
14.
Jun. 12,2009 22:35 Reply
Mr.Loong(Malaysia) said:
Hi
My group & I will be arriving in Qinghai at about 16:00 in mad-September 2009 from a long road journey from Zhangye in the morning, same day. Our plan is to proceed to and spend a night Xining after visiting Qinghai Lake. Is this advisable as we will then be on the road for any 3 hours or so?
Or is it worthwhile to spend a night in Qinghai? If so, any recommendation for reasonably celan and safe hotels in around Qinghai Lake?
What other attractions are there if we put up a night in Qinghai?
Jun. 14,2009 01:40
Mr.Colin replied:
Hi, Mr Loong
You mean you arriver at the lake area at 16:00?! Suggest you have a night stay there. There are hotels in the scenic area, however most of the hotels are not as good as those in city center. Suggest you stay in Bird Island Hotel. It is the best there. The lake is very large and attractions are scattered. Bird island is a famous one. There are also Erlangjian Scenic area and so on.
15.
Jun. 3,2009 08:11 Reply
Mr.Dylanov(Kazakhstan) said:
Will tourist experience any 'high attitude sickness' in Qinghai? I would love to visit Qinghai, but am afraid of the weather conditions there. Used to have childhood asthma... Any advice?
Jun. 4,2009 01:53
Mr.John replied:
Generally, it is ok for most of the people to Qinghai Plateau. It is just a little cold in the morning. Keep warm. People suffering from serious lung illness is not advisable to the plateau. I guess you have no asthma now? Suggest you has a medical examination before going and ask advice from doctor. Hong Jing Tian is an effective local herbal medicine for plateau sickness. Hope it is helpful.
16.
Jun. 2,2009 09:55 Reply
Mr.Jenny(Malaysia) said:
I shall be visiting Qinghai in late Aug/Sept 2009. will i be able to see any bird migration on Bird Island?
Jun. 3,2009 04:02
Mr.Stanley replied:
The best time to see countless birds on th eisland is May-July, ie. summer. November to Feburary is good season to see swans. Before the winter comes, most of the birds has flew away and only left swan, wide duck and lark, few species. August and Septemer is good time to see raper flower field. Birds still there at the period, I think. Just not the best season.
17.
May. 11,2009 15:37 Reply
Ms.p thorstenson said:
I will be in Gonghe in July and August 2009. Is there a tourism office there that I can use to arrange visits to the locations listed in this document? Is tansportation from Gonghe to the areas mentioned available? Guide? Engluish speaking guides?
Any informationw ill be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
May. 11,2009 22:10
Ms.Lily replied:
The top attraction around Gonghe should be the famous Qinghai Lake and the Sun and Moon Mountain. I'm afraid that it is difficult to have an English guide there. So, you could look for a travel agency in advance, which could arrange a proper route with English guide for visiting. These places don't have very convenient public transportation, so if you have employed a travel agency, the transporation will be easier~
18.
Feb. 2,2009 00:38 Reply
Mrs.Lee(China) said:
I am a local from Qinghai. The Qinghai Tourism Bureau is aiming to develop ecotourism in Sanjiangyuan area (the three river source area. The Temple of Princess Wencheng and Leba Valley of Yuxi will be integrated into a world heritage site.
For a long time, Leba Valley and the Temple of Princess Wencheng have been open to tourists as two independent scenic areas. Tourists had only a short stay in the two sites respectively. To promote tourism around the two sites, the local tourism administration planned to integrate the two sites into a larger cultural tourist site of world heritage. Also, folk-custom villages will be built around the sites. Tourists will be able to explore the Tibetan culture and savor the distinct local delicacies.