City: Qinghai
Top Things to do in Qinghai
Top 10 Things to do in Qinghai, China
Qinghai (Chinese: 青海; pronounced [tɕʰíŋxài]), formerly known in English as Kokonur, is a province of the People's Republic of China located in the northwest of the country. As one of the largest province-level administrative divisions of China by area, the province is ranked fourth-largest in size, but has the third-smallest population.
Restaurants in Qinghai
1. Lake Kokonor
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 559 reviews
Reviewed By cgriell - Barcelona, Spain
Probably we should'nt decided to go to the "Inside Lake Scenic Area", but we did. We thought that this would be the place to see and understand the lake.
Well, from there you see the lake, it is true.
Scenic? Not at all. There is not a cliff from where to see the lake from the heights, nor there are no Mountains reflecting on the waters, nothing that makes this place attractive.
The village behind, all new, is as dirty as it had been built 200 years ago, and nobody used a broom since then, a lot of shabby, identical restaurants offering the same type of -outrageously expensive - food, a taxi driver charged us 20 yuan for a 1,5 km trip...
As a matter of fact we have shortened our stay from 3 to 1 nights
2. Chaka Salt Lake, Haixi
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 66 reviews
Reviewed By ayu312 - Chicago
My friend and I came here in September 2016. It's a very popular touristy spot. However, it's still worth coming here. We love this place! It's so beautiful and serene! There's something quite amazing about this place. Most people came here to take a ton of photos. A lot of them even knew to bring red clothes with them to take photos with. My friend and I just sat there and enjoyed the beautiful sunset and didn't really care for taking selfie photos... Definitely worth coming here if you are in the area!
3. Menyuan Rape Flower Scenic Spot
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 37 reviews
Reviewed By Hoben01 - Long Beach, California
This was one of the day trips that I took while staying in Xining. There was a long distance bus that drove me to a small town and along the way the rapeseed flowers become this sea of yellow as you get near the town. By the way I missed out on the last portion in the town if you look out you will see a large hill and I saw all this commotion of people bartering with minivan drivers well they would drive you to the large hill and then you could hike up the hill and overlook the flower fields.
4. The Birds Island
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 78 reviews
Reviewed By ad0312 - Kolkata
Bird Island is a small island on Qinghai lake, or the Blue Sea Lake. It is an endorheic basin, the largest saltwater lake in China. It is known to be a holy place for Tibetans Buddhists and a great birding destination too. This large saltwater lake measures 4,635 square kilometers in area. Major attractions around it is Bird Island where many species of birds come to nest or rest during their transcontinental migrations.
Snowcapped Mountains surrounding the clear blue water along with vast grasslands make Qinghai a Dreamland from the fairy tales. In one of the episodes during my birding exploration, a young local cowboy came with his bike and offered me a ride into the swampy marshland. That was an excellent gesture. He even invited us to his home and offered lunch.
There is a formal Bird viewing area. Being a tourist destination, it is not very attractive for a Birder. I rather went into unchartered areas of the lake for birding instead of the formal viewing gallery.
5. Qinghai Zhakanbula National Geological Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 36 reviews
Reviewed By Pelfrot - Kopstal
I've just written a review of the above mentioned place. This is exactly the same place, but named differently. So the number 2 in Jianzha county is also the number 1. It's a wonderful area. Please read my review under the other name. Of course, it will not be easy to get to. With public transportation, I suppose you won't get any further than Lijia township. I went therte twice, the first time with Chinese friends, the second time I rented a car with driver in Xining. Not the cheapest option, but it is really worth it.
6. Sand Island of Qinghai Lake
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 48 reviews
Reviewed By sweetsophiaL - Hangzhou
Due to its enchanting natural beauty, rich Buddhism culture and excellent ecological environment, Qinghai Lake was honored as the most beautiful lake by China National Geography Magazine in 2006. You can watch the most splendid bird clusters, see the most magnificent cole flowers and join in various activities here such as Tour of Qinghai Lake, hiking and camping.
Admission Fee
Qinghai Lake: 100RMB during the peak season (April 15 to October 15), 50RMB during the off season.
Boat: 45RMB. Notice: it is not available during winter.
Niaodao Island: 115RMB Shadao Island: 70 RMB
Transportation
Flight: There is no direct flight to Qinghai Lake
Long distance Bus: The highway in Qinghai Lake is very good. Qinghai Lake is 80km away from Xining (4 hours’ drive). From Xining and Taermu, there are several long distance buses head to Qinghai Lake every day. You can take the long distance bus in Xining Long Distance Bus Station (south of the rail station) at 7:45am, and get off in Niaodao, the charge is only 35RMB. Then, you can rent a car heading to Niao Dao (Bird Island), the cost will be 50 RMB per car.
Train: Shanghai to Xining (Capital city of Qinghai). You can take the train T165 or K377, it will take 24 hours. Beijing to Xining: you can take train T151, and you will reach Xining in 24 hours. T27 from Beijing to Lhasa will cost 20 hours. Zhenzhou to Xining: you can take K889 which will leave at 2:15 pm and arrive in Xining in 8:12am the next morning. Chengdu to Xining: T22 or K1058: they will take 20 hours and 24 hours respectively.
Best Travel Season: During May to June, Qinghai Lake’s Niaodao (Bird Island) is densely distributed with bird eggs and newly hatched birds. This is the best period to watch the birds. During July to August,it is best time to see the cole blossoms in Menyuan County near Qinghai Lake, taverage temperature of this period is 18℃. Besides, you can see the Tour of Qinghai Lake Event during this period.
7. Longwu Temple
Overall Ratings
4 based on 17 reviews
Reviewed By Luo_Qing81 - London, United Kingdom
Rongwo Monastery is one of the major centres of Gelugpa (Yellow Hat) Tbetan Buddhism, the Dalai Lama's sect. This beautiful religious community has been through many difficult times, including fairly recently, but seemed vibrant when we visited in early October 2013. Although the monastery was founded in 1301, many of its temples were apparently destroyed during the Cultural Revolution, and so much of the monastery was rebuilt in the 1980s and 1990s, but with careful adherence to traditional Tibetan religious architectural design and techniques as far as I can see. The monastery remains a living religious community - officially it is home to 500 monks although I would estimate around 300 were in residence when we visited - and a centre of worship, with Tibetan pilgrims of all ages coming and going, making offerings and walking the kora circuit around the monastery's perimeter. For tourists, there is an entrance fee of RMB 50 payable at the main gate, which seemed a reasonable amount given the historic and cultural importance of the site and its large size. Although we visited during the October holidays, peak tourist time in most of China, we saw very few other tourists (whether Chinese or foreign) during our stay and this was a great place to escape the Golden Week crowds.
Rongwo is not as large as nearby Labrang (over the provincial border 3-4 hours away in Gansu) but you will still need the best part of a day to really appreciate it. Staying one or two nights locally is well worthwhile as it allows you time to wander the monastery unhurried, taking in all the beautiful details of the paintings, statues and hangings, and soak up the atmosphere, as well as accompanying pilgrims around the kora, and visiting the renowned thangka-producing Wutunsi monasteries as well. If you would like to observe religious activities at the monastery you can ask the monks when they are taking place - we did so and were able to watch around 200 monks practicing religious and philosophical debating in a courtyard as the sun set. The monks are welcoming and some are happy to chat to visitors in Chinese, although few we met spoke English.
Given the difficulties many travellers experience in trying to get to the Tibetan Autonomous Region, it's well worth considering a trip to some of the great Gelugpa monasteries outside the TAR. For a truly unforgettable Tibetan experience I would recommend allowing yourself enough time to travel on to the Labrang Monastery at Xiahe, but if you are short on time a two or three day trip here from Xining is still well worthwhile. Buses from the bus station on Bayi Lu (八一路) in Xining are frequent and only cost RMB 20 each way.
8. Sun Moon Mountain
Overall Ratings
4 based on 23 reviews
Reviewed By Paulette A - Glass House Mountains, Australia
When we reached Sun Moon Lake we found we had an almost total white out and could not see much. On the occasions we did get a view we thought it OK but nothing special or of outstanding beauty. Definitely not worth coming to Taiwan just for it, but fine to see if you happen to come across it.
9. Hoh Xil Nature Reserve
Overall Ratings
5 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By mzw123123 - Seaside, California
Hoh Xil, to some extent, is considered to be the last piece of pure land on the earth. Numerous people are shocked by the spectacular raw beauty when they set foot on the land for the first time.
Located in Gansu Province, Hoh Xil is not only a famous scenic spot but one of the biggestnaturalreservesin China. From April toJune, other placesare warm and hot, while Hoh Xil is still snowy and cold. It is extremely hard for people to survive in this barren land. However, this is a heaven for wild animals, including the Tibetan antelopes and wild yaks. Also, bald eagles fly freely in the sky.
I feel very lucky to have the golden chance of visiting there in person. We took a self-drive tour aroundHoh Xil, which is a virtually unspoiled region without any contamination. The sky is blue as well as clear, with clouds moving slowly towards the horizon. The air is fresh and there is no noise. Having taken a deep breath, the whole world spreading before me seems to quiet down.A wide variety of wildlife can be seen there.The altitude being high, I felt I need only reach out totouch the sky. We greeted tothe locals, too. They appear to be content with their lives.Besides, there are many rivers and lakes, in which some rare fishes live. The water tastes sweet. Human settlements and wild animals are highly dependent on the spring water and snowmelt in nearby Mountains.
If you want to go there, it is strongly advised that you bring food yourselves because there areno markets and restaurants. At last, please remember that it is important not to leave any trash behind.
10. Jiuzhi Nianbaoyuze Mountain Scenic Resort
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By AlexTung - Chengdu, China
This is a hiking place for photographers and outdoor lovers. You will not only see the beautiful lates but also the many rocky Mountains. Also you will have a close touch of local Tibetan culture. Best time to go there is in June, July and August when the flowers are blooming. Although going there in fall may have better days of good weather.
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