4 Days Classic Xining Tour with Qinghai Lake and Chaka Lake

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Xining Arrival & Xining Tour (L)
   Dongguan Mosque

   Upon your arrival at Xining airport / train station, our local English speaking tour guide and driver will pick you up from the exit gate by holding a welcome board with your name.

   After short rest, your exploration begins with Dongguan Mosque, which is the largest mosque in Qinghai Province, gain the title of “Four Greatest Mosques in Northwestern China” together with Xian Great Mosque, Lanzhou Qiaomen Mosque and Etigar Mosque in Kashgar. Built in Ming Dynasty, the Mosque has stood in Dongguan District of Xining for 600 years, badly experienced wars and reconstructed in 1998. The beautiful calottes and gorgeous pillars and praying hatted Muslims forms a bright scenery line here.

   Accommodation: Overnight in Xining

   

2. Day 2: Xining-Qinghai Lake (B, L)
   Ta’er Monastery

   Today you will further explore the amazing Xining by visiting Ta’er Monastery. As one of the “Six Great Monasteries of Tibetan Buddhism Gelug Sect”, Ta’er Monastery is another site in Xining, Qinghai Province, sharing the same popularity with Qinghai Lake. Ta’er Monastery has profound historical origin that it’s the birthplace of famous Tsongkhapa, the founder of Tibetan Buddhism Gelug Sect. Not only bearing the divine position in religious followers, the monastery is a Tibetan Buddhist institution of higher education. Beneath the glorious decorations on surface fascinating your eyes, the rich accumulations in history, culture, religion and arts of Ta’er Monastery excites your souls deeply especially when meeting those devout followers trudged for pilgrimage here.

   In the afternoon, drive around 3 hours to Qinghai Lake for overnight.

   Accommodation: Overnight near Qinghai Lake

   

3. Day 3: Qinghai Lake-Chaka Salt Lake (B, L)
   Qinghai Lake

   You must have heard the fame of Qinghai Lake before you go. It is indeed hot for tour to Qinghai and the whole Silk Road. Why? The co-existence of different views collected at the meantime at Qinghai Lake push its fame higher and higher: massive sea-like lake, vast desert, lush meadow-grass and yellow sea of rape flower. A single one of the four elements would attract people as a “wonderful place”, however, the mix of the four at Qinghai Lake makes it a “must-go” place. Each summer (June and July), it ushers in the annual peak when the blossom of rape flowers and round-the-lake cycle track here.

   Today, the main scenic area as you will be visiting is the Erlangjian Scenic Area where is reputed as the most beautiful place in Qinghai Lake. There is boat cruises, horse rides and bike rides available around the lake, you can optionally try it according to your interests (optional).

   After the relaxing sightseeing, you will head to Chaka Salt Lake which takes around 2.5 hours driving on road. You can have some rest on the van.

   Accommodation: Overnight in Chaka Salt Lake

   

4. Day 4: Chaka Lake-Xining & Xining Departure (B,L)
   Chaka Lake

   Today just relax yourself in the amazing Chaka Lake!

   Chaka Lake with title of “Mirror of the Sky in China” rose to fame nationwide rapidly in the recent years, attracting increasing travelers. “Chaka” means “Salt Lake” in Tibetan. As the name, Chaka Lake is a famous natural crystal salt lake in Qaidam Basin, able to meet all Chinese’s need to salt for 75 years. The pure white congealing in the water makes the lake a huge mirror to reflect the shadows of white clouds, blue sky, hovering birds and beautiful girls in bright- colored dress. Yes, a must thing to do at Chaka Lake is taking beautiful pictures for sky and people. Do remember to wear cloth with bright color.

   Finishing the visit, drive around 4 hours back to Xining. You will be dropped off at Xining airport/train station for departure.

   Accommodation: N/A