Qinghai May Day Travel Plan: Super Detailed Guide!

🏔️ Scenic Routes and Time Arrangements Day 1: Xining City Tour - Morning: Arrive in Xining, check in to hotel (recommended to stay in West District or Central District for convenient transportation) - Noon: Taste local cuisine (recommend "Ma Zhong Restaurant" for hand-pulled lamb and yogurt) - Afternoon: Visit [Dongguan Grand Mosque] and [Qinghai Provincial Museum] - Evening: Explore [Mojie Night Market], try Niangpi (cold skin noodles), sweet fermented rice and other snacks Day 2: Xining → Qinghai Lake (about 2.5 hours by car) - Morning: Depart for Qinghai Lake, briefly stop at [Sun and Moon Mountain] on the way - Noon: Dine at restaurants around Qinghai Lake (recommend Qinghai Lake naked carp, but check if it's legally farmed) - Afternoon: Visit [Qinghai Lake Erlang Sword Scenic Area], bike or walk along the lake to enjoy the scenery - Evening: Check in to hotels or guesthouses around Qinghai Lake (recommend Heima River Township for convenient sunrise viewing the next day) Day 3: Qinghai Lake → Chaka Salt Lake (about 3 hours by car) - Early morning: Watch sunrise at Heima River - Morning: Drive to [Chaka Salt Lake], visit the "Mirror of the Sky" - Noon: Lunch in Chaka Town (recommend local hotpot) - Afternoon: Return to Xining or proceed to Qilian County (depending on your itinerary) Day 4: Qilian County Tour (optional) - Morning: Visit [Zhuoer Mountain], enjoy the Danxia landform - Noon: Lunch in Qilian County (recommend yak meat soup) - Afternoon: Visit [Arou Monastery] or [Qilian Mountain Grassland] - Evening: Return to Xining or stay overnight in Qilian Day 5: Xining → Kumbum Monastery (about 40 minutes by car) - Morning: Visit [Kumbum Monastery], experience Tibetan Buddhist culture - Noon: Lunch at restaurants around Kumbum Monastery - Afternoon: Return to Xining, buy local specialties (recommend highland barley wine, dried yak meat) - Evening: End the trip, return home 🚗 Transportation Arrangements - Xining City: Taxi or bus (Xining buses accept Alipay QR code payment) - Qinghai Lake, Chaka Salt Lake: Recommend chartered car or self-driving (car rental about 300-500 yuan/day) - Qilian County: Chartered car or coach (Xining to Qilian coach takes about 4 hours) 💡 Notes 1. Large temperature differences in Qinghai during May Day holiday, sun protection during the day, keep warm at night (down jacket essential) 2. Altitude sickness: Avoid strenuous exercise, prepare rhodiola or oxygen bottles 3. Respect local religious customs (e.g., no short skirts or photography at Kumbum Monastery) 4. Wear bright-colored clothes for photos at Chaka Salt Lake 💰 Budget Reference (5 days 4 nights/person) - Transportation: Chartered car about 1,500 yuan, public transportation 500 yuan - Accommodation: Economy 800-1,200 yuan, comfortable 1,500-2,500 yuan - Tickets: Qinghai Lake 90 yuan + Chaka 60 yuan + Kumbum Monastery 80 yuan ≈ 230 yuan - Dining: 80-150 yuan daily Qinghai, a place that captivates the heart, its vastness, purity, and magnificence will be deeply imprinted in your memory. Hope this guide helps you embark on an unforgettable journey! 🌈