4 Days Qinghai & Chaka Salt Lakes

This morning, we will depart to explore Qinghai’s two largest gems, Qinghai Lake and Chaka Salt Lake. Your guide and the driver will meet you after breakfast, and then embark on a 2-hour scenic road trip to Qinghai Lake, the second-largest saltwater lake on the planet. Along the way, enjoy the fertile, lush grasslands scattered with herded cattle, sheep, and yak, surrounded by the rolling mountains. You’ll also be smitten by the vibrant and colorful prayer flags fluttering in the wind, set by locals to pray for good fortune. En route, it’s also possible to see the Sun Moon Mountain from the car, where the famous Princess Wencheng once stopped in the 7th century. The brave princess was sent to marry the Tibetan king and felt homesick when passing by the mountain; while her tears were said to form a river, the Daotang River, which can also be seen from your car. Soon, we’ll arrive at Qinghai Lake’s main scenic area, Erlangjian, which covers the most stunning scenery.

★ Unique Experience: Cruise on the Sapphire Qinghai Lake 

Entering the scenic area, the guide will escort you to the wharf for a 30-minute cruise (operating from May to October) to the Erlangjian Peninsula. Taking a cruise is not only the fastest way to get to the peninsula but also brings you the cream of the turquoise lake views. Sit in a window seat, from which you can enjoy an endless water expanse shining in the sunlight, and a significant color shift of the surface can be observed clearly. Upon arrival, you’ll be treated to the waters in gem-like hues, with a large flock of black-headed gulls hanging around, thanks to Qinghai Lake’s vibrant ecosystem. Stroll along the sandy beaches to the end of the sword-like peninsula piercing into the lake, listen to the waves pattering, and immerse yourself completely in the grandeur of the ‘Highland Gem’. Finish the visit, and we’ll take a bus back to the scenic area’s exit.

Our next stop is Chaka Salt Lake, about a 2.5-hour drive away from Qinghai Lake. As that touch of blue fades away, please pay attention to adjust your breath, as we’ll gradually ascend to higher altitudes, which can reach approximately 3,600 meters (11,800 ft.) in some sections, before finally dropping to around 3,100 meters (9,800 ft.) as we reach the salt lake. Upon arrival at Chaka Town, the guide will help you check in at a comfortable hotel.

► Dinner Recommendation: (at your own expense)
As the natural wonderland attracts tons of visitors every day, the small Chaka Town was born and thrives, offering great food and accommodation to travelers coming from afar. Kang Pot Mutton is a popular local dish served at most restaurants, and the mutton is boiled first and then pan-fried with potatoes, onions, green peppers, and even noodles, featuring a savory taste with a sprinkle of salt, chili, sesame, and aniseed powder. Fast food like Dicos is also available in the town. As it is far from the city, local restaurants might be slightly overpriced.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Chaka Evening Maple Hotel (4 stars)

This morning, your guide and the driver will accompany you to explore the Chaka Salt Lake, dubbed China’s ‘Mirror of the Sky’. The shallow lake with its thin, crystal-clear water and the white salt surface creates a magic mirror-like illusion reflecting the azure sky, forming a boundless, pure white world. Entering the scenic area, you can choose to walk to its core sights with a one-way distance of 3 km (1.9 mi), taking about 45 minutes, with four stops on the way. For cozier sightseeing, take a slow retro train to the final stop, where you can rent a pair of shoe covers to step into the white lake, and then go sightseeing along the way back on foot; this is also the most popular way to visit. On sunny days, when standing in the middle of the white lake, capture your perfect reflections, and feel your tininess in contrast with the white world’s vastness. On the second stop, you can also encounter a large group of giant salt sculptures, depicting Chinese legends, mythologies, and airy pavilions and pagodas, as if you’re entering a fairytale world. After the visit, the guide and the driver will escort you back to Xining with a 3.5-hour private transfer. 

► Visit Tips:
1. Please note that the train fare (CNY 50 for a single trip) and the shoe cover rental (CNY 10 for a pair, with a deposit of CNY 50) are not included in our price.  
2. The salt lake visit largely depends on luck for good weather, as it can only reflect the exhilarating mirror-like views on sunny days.
3. Please apply sunscreen generously and wear sunglasses to protect yourself from sunburn in case of the strong reflections caused by the white salt flats.

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

After breakfast, your guide and the driver will wait for you at the hotel lobby and accompany you to explore Kumbum Monastery (Ta'er Monastery), the centerpiece of Tibetan Buddhism in Northwest China and one of the six most important monasteries of the Gelug School of Tibetan Buddhism. Its name translates to ‘the White Pagoda Temple’, as it is said the monastery was built after the legendary white pagoda, which was first built at the birthplace of the Gelug School’s founder, Je Tsongkhapa (1357 - 1419 AD). Remember to circle the pagoda clockwise three times for good luck. The pagoda also boasts its main hall, “Golden Hall”, characterized by a three-tiered double-eaved hip-and-gable golden roof, using more than 365 kg of gold. The guide will also show you around the temple’s famous colorful butter sculpture, whose birth is a perfect combination of faith and craftsmanship, depicting the Buddha and bodhisattvas and other Buddhist stories vividly. However, to prevent the butter from melting, it can only be processed at pretty low temperatures of nearly 0 degrees Celsius. When sculpting, the monk artists need to dip their hands in ice water to cool them down, and some even suffered frostbite on their fingers. 

After enjoying the breathtakingly beautiful monastery, your 4 days Xining tour package comes to an end! The guide and the driver will escort you to the airport or train station according to your schedule. Wish you a happy journey!

If you would like to extend your trip to Tibet or trace the ancient Silk Road that once linked China and Europe, just make connections with your travel consultant to tailor it for you!

Meals: Breakfast