"Three-Day Journey: The Poetry and Distance on the Qinghai Lake Loop"

"The Poetry and Distance on the Qinghai Lake Loop" Day One: Crossing the Boundary of Farming and Pastoralism, Entering Princess Wencheng’s Millennium Gaze At five in the morning, Xining was still sleeping in the mist, but we had already started the engine and set off on the southern route to Qinghai Lake. The wheels rolled over the G109 National Highway in the early light, and our hearts had already flown to the most captivating blue on the plateau—Qinghai Lake. The first stop was Riyue Mountain, standing at the boundary between farmland and grassland. As the car slowly approached, the scene suddenly split into two: to the east, fields like woven fabric, green barley, village smoke curling, a pastoral Central Plains landscape; but over the ridge to the west lay vast, boundless grasslands, where the wind bent the grass low and cattle and sheep appeared and disappeared, the world suddenly opening wide. This place is not only a geographical watershed but also a threshold of civilization—since ancient times, those entering Tibet from the interior had to pass here, known as the "Western Sea Screen," evoking tears. She knew deeply that once she went thousands of miles west, there would be no turning back. Overcome with sorrow, she threw the Sun and Moon Mirror she carried onto the ground, resolutely heading west. Legend says the shattered mirror pieces became the sun and moon shining together, and her tears formed a river flowing backward—the Daotang River. This is a rare river flowing westward, eventually flowing into Qinghai Lake. It defies convention, just like that love crossing ethnicities and mountains. We lingered by the river, listening to the wind passing through prayer flags, as if whispers still told tales of parting sorrow. In the afternoon, we continued through the vast pastoral area and arrived at Shinaohe Town. We stayed overnight at Bird Island Hotel, with the lake’s light faintly visible outside the window and insects chirping us to sleep. Tomorrow, we would truly enter the embrace of Qinghai Lake. Day Two: Boat to Bird Island, Chasing the Light Around the Lake The next morning, sunlight filled the lake, sparkling like scattered gold. We boarded a speedboat, the engine roaring as the boat cut through the blue water, heading straight for two of Qinghai Lake’s most spiritual secret spots—Bird Island and Haixin Mountain. Bird Island is truly a "bird paradise." Every spring and summer, tens of thousands of migratory birds come from the south to nest and breed here. Bar-headed geese, brown-headed gulls, black-headed gulls, cormorants... flocks of birds gather, their calls loud and clear, nests densely scattered on the sandbanks, the sound of chicks hatching rising one after another, the power of life surging here. It is said that in some years, when the birds take flight, they can cover half the sky, a breathtaking scene. A little farther away, Haixin Mountain floats like a solitary emerald in the lake’s center. Though not high in elevation, this isolated island is regarded as a sacred place for meditation due to its distance from the world’s noise. Tibetan Buddhists call it the "Holy Land in the Lake," and high monks have secluded themselves here for years. We could not land, but just gazing at it purified our souls. In the afternoon, we set off on National Highway 315 to begin the loop around the lake. Driving along the lakeshore, on one side was the endless blue water, on the other rolling grasslands and distant snow-capped mountains. Rapeseed flowers were in full bloom, vast golden fields stretching to the horizon, contrasting sharply with the deep blue lake, like a richly colored oil painting. Birds skimmed the water, their wings breaking the reflection, often making us hit the brakes just to take one more look at this irreplaceable moment. This journey was not about rushing but being chased by beauty. You hesitate to speed up, afraid of missing a single frame. Day Three: Singing a Distant Love Song on the Jinyin Beach On the third morning, we drove to the Jinyin Beach Grassland—a romantic place where love and music intertwine. This vast grassland is not named for minerals but because in summer and autumn wildflowers cover the ground, silver light flickering, golden stamens dotting the land, looking like gold and silver spread across the earth, hence the name "Jinyin Beach." Even more enchanting is that the Western King of Folk Songs, Wang Luobin, once gathered inspiration here after meeting a shepherd girl, writing the classic folk song "In That Distant Place": "I wish to be a little lamb, following by her side..." Walking deep into the grassland, white tents were scattered like stars, smoke curling up, herdsmen riding horses back and forth, cattle and sheep grazing leisurely. Wildflowers swayed in the wind, and the air was filled with the scent of grass and milk. There was no noise here, only the wind and songs whispering in our ears. We rested in front of a yurt, drank a bowl of steaming butter tea, and listened to the distant sound of the horsehead fiddle, suddenly understanding: poetry is not far away; it is hidden in every breath of this land. In the afternoon, with reluctance and a heart full of memories, we set off on the return journey along the national highway back to Xining. The sunset faded in the rearview mirror, gradually disappearing behind the mountains. Travel Tips · Qinghai Lake Three-Day Essential Itinerary Best Season: June to September (summer flowers bloom, migratory birds rest; autumn skies are clear and colors rich) Core Experiences: Lake and Bird Watching: Witness the spectacular flight of tens of thousands of birds on Bird Island; Cultural Origins: Listen to the legend of Princess Wencheng and feel the warmth of history; Natural Beauty: Enjoy the lakeside road, rapeseed flower sea, and grassland pastures; Folk Customs: Experience herdsmen’s life and taste Tibetan cuisine. Recommended Rating: ★★★★★ Suitable For: Nature lovers, photography enthusiasts, cultural travelers, family trips Conclusion: This journey is not just a feast for the eyes but an escape for the soul. From the sorrow of Riyue Mountain to the obsession of the Daotang River; From the life rhythm of Bird Island to the lingering love song of Jinyin Beach— Qinghai Lake, with its tranquility and grandeur, tells you: Some places must be visited at least once in a lifetime; Some people will sing you an eternal song on a certain grassland.