Code: BC-XN04
Ride to Gulmod
Itinerary : 8 days of Xining - Huangyuan - Riyue Mountain - Daotang River - Jiangxigou - Heima River - Xiangpi Mountain - Chaka - Dulan - Yikegaoli - Nuomuhong County - Gulmod
Upon the first day arrival in Xining, accommodate in a local guest house and get prepared. Examine again your bicycle and the tent to make sure they are in good condition. Purchase the food and necessities during the tip and get them packed.
On the second day, cycle about 133 km from Xining to Huangyuan to Riyue Mountain pass and reach Daotang River to finish the day's journey. It is almost all the uphill way from Xining to Riyue Mountain pass along the No. 109 National highway and some section of the road is in poor condition. The road is better but much-sloped when passing Huangyuan till Riyue Mountain pass with an altitude of 3520 meters which is the dividing line of agriculture and livestock breeding area and the highest point to have a panorama view of this area. On the east is the rich Huangshui drainage area; On the northwest is the splendid Qinghai Lake; On the southwest is the endless chain of mountains and grassland dotted with numerous cows, sheeps and horses. The famous Daotang River lies at the foot of West mountain 40 km away from Riyue Mountain.
Upon the first day arrival in Xining, accommodate in a local guest house and get prepared. Examine again your bicycle and the tent to make sure they are in good condition. Purchase the food and necessities during the tip and get them packed.
On the second day, cycle about 133 km from Xining to Huangyuan to Riyue Mountain pass and reach Daotang River to finish the day's journey. It is almost all the uphill way from Xining to Riyue Mountain pass along the No. 109 National highway and some section of the road is in poor condition. The road is better but much-sloped when passing Huangyuan till Riyue Mountain pass with an altitude of 3520 meters which is the dividing line of agriculture and livestock breeding area and the highest point to have a panorama view of this area. On the east is the rich Huangshui drainage area; On the northwest is the splendid Qinghai Lake; On the southwest is the endless chain of mountains and grassland dotted with numerous cows, sheeps and horses. The famous Daotang River lies at the foot of West mountain 40 km away from Riyue Mountain.
On the third day, cycle 124 km to Jiangxigou and reach Heima River. The day's journey is easy and relaxed for you can have a full view of the landscape of unspoilt natural beauty on the bank of Qinghai lake. If you visit Qinghai in July and August, you will have the chance to see the immense rape in full bloom on both sides of the road extended to the distance.
On the fourth day, you can continue cycling to the north to visit the Bird Island. There is a highway leading to Bird Island with the distance of about 70 km. The best time to visit the Bird Island is in May. Today we will start from Heima River and cycle to Xiangpi Mountain till Chaka town. It is a real trial day for you will cycle over the steep Xiangpi Mountain with an altitude of 4451 meters. Not only is it higher in altitude than Riyue Mountain but also it's much sloped with a 30-40 and even higher degree inclined. You will be exhausted to cycle tens of uphill and downhill roads. But the en route scenery is really rewarding with the grand plateau meadow and the leisurely browsing sheep. When passing the Xiangpi Mountain pass, you will experience all the way downhill. In the afternoon, you will reach Chaka town. Pay a visit to Chaka Salt Lake which locates in the south of Chaka town.
On the fifth day, cycle another 133 km from Chaka town to Dulan at an altitude of 3400 meters. The road is wide and flat since it is close to the edge of Chadamu Basin. On the road, you may see the Tibet Mastiff (Zang'ao). But they are tied. There is no danger if you keep away from them.
On the sixth day, you will cycle a 60 km comfortable blacktop road firstly to reach Xiangride town. En route is the boundless desert landscape. The No. 109 national highway is built along the desert. You can head on your journey while fully appreciate the desert view with endless sand and no sign of life. Have lunch at Xiangride town. You also need to recruite your food there since the left 300 km journey to Gulmod will be within the desolated Gobi area. So at least you need to prepare for the next two and a half days' replenishment such as water, instant noodles, ham, beef jerky and so on. Leave Xiangride town you will get to Chadamu River. Cycle 20 km over Tuotu mountain you will see the new built highway. The road is quite good for cycling. By another 30 km way you will finish the day's cycling at Yikegaoli which is the locus of the highway maintenance squad. Stay overnight there.
Tips: During the desert area between Xiangride and Gulmod, there is hardly place for accommodation or the nomadic tents. There is the highway maintenance squad every 60 km. You need to calculate the time and distance carefully to catch there for accommodation.
On the seventh and eighth day, cycle 120 km from Yikegaoli to Nuomuhong county and another 140 km to Gulmod on the desert. Upon arrival in Gulmod, you can pay a visit to Cha'erhan Salt Lake and Wanzhang Salt Bridge.
Leave from Gulmod and your cycling ends here.
More Xining Bicycle Tours Information:
Zhaling Lake Exploration: 8 days to explore the Zhaling Lake, visit Ta'er Monastery, Mt. Laji…on the road
International Cycling Race: 10 days journey follow the route of Qinghai Lake International Cycling Race
Tang-Bo Cycling Path: 13 Days Cycling Tour in Qing-Tibet Plateau including Riyuanshan and Liushaogou mountain pass
Recommended Tours Including the visit to Xining:
Silk Road Safari: 13 days to Xining, Lanzhou and other cities