Code: BC-XN05

Zhaling Lake Exploration

8 days of Xining - Ta'er Monastery - Mt. Laji - Guide - Longyangxia - Qiabuqia Town - Huashixia - Maduo - Zhaling Lake - Gonghe - Huangyuan - Xining

On the first day, cycle about 115 km from Xining to Guide County. En route pay a visit to the pride of the Tibetan culture - Ta'er Monastery in Huangzhong county. Continue cycling, you will see the Laji Mountain at an altitude of 3858 meters in front of you. The harsh weather and long uphill way may make you tired. But you are also granted with the chance to have a view of the magnificent natural beauty less visited by travelers. Go down the mountain, you can visit the Guide town featured with clean water and green hills. You can also pay a visit to the reputed Yuhuang Pavilion which is located at North Street in Guide County. The Yuhuang Pavilion is known as one of the most representative architecture of Ming and Qing dynasty and it is of great historical value and artistic value of construction. The visit takes about one and a half hours. Stay overnight in Guide.
On the second day, cycle about 10 km to visit the Longyangxia power station, the biggest one up the Huanghe River. The power station is near to the No. 214 national highway within Qiabuqia Town of Gonghe county. You can continue cycling from here. But you should get yourself psyched up for the abrupt terrain. You can also return to Guide and ride the way according to the guidepost to Qiabuqia Town. By this way, you need to ride tens of kilometers more to get to the destination.
On the third day, go ahead through Xinghai, Wenquan to Huashixia to end the day's cycling trip. The first 50 to 60 km's journey will be progressing on the Gobi desert where it is isolated and alone. You need to carry enough food and water for supply. If you visit Qinghai in summer, please do not forget to anointed yourself with suntan lotion with SPF over 30 especially when going through the desert for the ultraviolet radiation may do great harm to your skin.
On the fourth day, continue cycling about 73 km to Maduo. The road from Huashixia to Maduo is still rough and you should take your time and have a rest when you feel tired instead of being exhausted which may affect your rest days' journey. Upon arrival in Maduo, go ahead to the Zhaling Lake which is about 100 km towards west of Maduo. The Zhaling Lake is around 20 km from Eling Lake with hundreds of lakes and over 50 rivers surrounded. Both of the lakes make up of another kingdom of the birds apart from the Qinghai Lake. The roads on the bank of the two lakes are terrible. It will be better if you have a local person to lead the road for you because without the guide you will easily get lost there. If you are lucky enough, you will have the chance to see the Tibetan antilopes, Tibetan wild donkeys, foxes, eagles and of couse the wild birds over the lakes.
On the rest three or four days, you can get back along the original way through Qiabuqia town of Gonghe county, Riyue Mountain, Huangyuan and at last reach Xining.
 More Xining Bicycle Tours Information:

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
Qinghai Lake Discovery: 6 Days to discover the Qinghai Lake, passing by Xihai Town, Gangcha County, Bird Island…

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