3 Days Private Xining with Qinghai Lake

After breakfast, your guide and the driver will meet you at the hotel lobby, and today we’ll head out for an excursion to China’s largest and most beautiful lake, Qinghai Lake, aka Kokonor Lake, about a 2-hour drive away. Along the way, vast grasslands dotted with grazing yaks and sheep will unroll outside the car window, and snow-capped mountains will loom distantly. Also, enjoy Sun Moon Mountain in the car, a significant stop on the way of Princess Wencheng (641 - 680 AD) from the Chinese Tang Dynasty, who entered Tibet to marry the then Tibetan king. It is said that she threw the sun-moon mirror gifted by the Chinese emperor and set off westward resolutely, and the mirror pieces finally turned into this mountain. When she looked back at her hometown that she could never return to, her tears burst out into a long river, Daotang River, just neighboring the Sun Moon Mountain. After passing by the two spots, we will soon arrive at the beautiful Qinghai Lake, and you can see a turquoise expanse that shines with a sapphire hue against the snow-topped peaks in the distance.

★ Special Treat: Explore Qinghai Lake on the Cruise 

Upon arrival at the lake’s southern shore, Erlangjian Scenic Area, you’ll be escorted directly to the wharf for a 30-minute cruise (operating from May to October) on the transparent Qinghai Lake, enjoying the stunning views from a different perspective. The cruise finally sails to the Erlangjian Peninsula, where you can get off to embrace the beautiful waters closely. As vast as the sea, it stretches endlessly towards the horizon, with many waterfowl flying over the lakeshore, and the lake is full of endangered naked carp. Unwind on the powdery-soft sandy beaches, and remember to bring a coat to protect from strong winds. You may also encounter locals bringing cute small white lambs, offering a photo opportunity for a small fee. Finish the visit, and we’ll drive back to downtown Xining. 

Continue to the next stop, the Dongguan Mosque, the largest Islamic institution in Qinghai, dating back to 1380 AD. It can accommodate at most 40,000 to 60,000 Muslims to perform prayers. The magnificent complex once featured a traditional Chinese architectural style during the first construction but was later rebuilt as a typical mosque with a round green dome and white-colored minarets. However, it has undergone an outer appearance change back into Chinese-style architecture with double-eaved roofs in recent years.  
 
Stepping out of the great mosque from the back door, a local food market tucked away in the bustling old town, Lower Nanguan Street, just feasts your eyes. Want a local taste? Grab authentic street snacks at your own expense. The rose cake, handmade yogurt, rice and jujube cake, deep-fried barley pancake, and mutton eaten by hand are all worth trying. Enjoying the sizzling smells, you can also join the locals to browse the stalls offering fresh fruits, local handicrafts, and accessories. After that, the guide and the driver will escort you back to the hotel. If you'd like to linger here longer to experience the local atmosphere or for a night exploration, you can finally take a taxi back to the hotel on your own.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hampton by Hilton (Xining Jiaboyuan) (4 stars)

This morning, your guide and the driver will accompany you to Kumbum Monastery (Ta’er Monastery), one of the six most important Gelug-school monasteries of Tibetan Buddhism. In front of the monastery, you’ll first be smitten by the 8 white towering stupas with square bases and golden tips, neatly arranged in a row on the square, representing the Buddha’s 8 merits. Don’t miss out on capturing a magic photo as the first rays of sunshine fall on the sacred golden-white towers. Then, follow the guide to enter to view the grand main hall, which is said to have used about 365 kg of gold to cover its roof, and 860 kg of gold to build the golden pagoda inside the hall; and take in the extraordinary “Three Arts” of the monastery: butter sculptures, Buddhist murals, and Tibetan barbola. No matter the spectacular statues and buildings, red-robed monks humming mantras faintly, or local Tibetans faithfully practicing the long kowtow worship, all are impressive for those seeking enlightenment and inspiration on this Xining tour!

Afterward, your private guide and the driver will escort you to the Xining airport or train station according to your schedule for your onward journey. Wish you enjoy the trip! If you have any idea to explore more of Qinghai's hidden gems, like Chaka Salt Lake, or extend your trip to neighboring Gansu or Tibet, just contact your travel consultant!

Meals: Breakfast