Things to do in Qilian

Qilian Mountain Grassland Racetrack

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Qinghai

Chaka Salt Lake

Chaka Salt Lake is a salt field with a history of over 3,000 years. The lake water has a high salt content and naturally crystallizes into a white lake surface, reflecting the sky, clouds, and mountains on the opposite shore in the water, creating a very beautiful scene. Visitors can also walk barefoot onto the lake surface to view and photograph their own reflections, just like a mirror of the sky. On sunny days, the brine in Chaka Salt Lake crystallizes to a high degree, revealing a thin layer of brine over the pure white salt lake, with clear and pristine scenery and reflections. In the sculpture area of the attraction, you can see the stone-carved Guardian Goddess of the Salt Lake. Besides this sculpture, the other dozen or so large sculptures are all salt carvings, including figures such as the Maitreya Buddha and Genghis Khan. Walk along the path to the lakeside, and you will see the pure white Chaka Salt Lake, where you can enjoy yourself to the fullest. In the middle of the lake, a railway extends into the lake, and at the starting point is where you can take the mini train to travel deep into the lake, where the scenery is even purer.

qi lian shan mei long zhang sheng tai mu chang xing kong mi jing ying di

No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Qinghai

Qinghai Tibetan Culture Museum

Qinghai Tibetan Culture MuseumIt is a comprehensive museum themed on Tibetan medicine culture and featuring Tibetan culture.Qinghai Tibetan Culture Museum(also known as Qinghai Tibetan Culture Museum) is located in Xining, the capital of Qinghai Province in the eastern part of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. It officially opened in September 2006. The museum has basically formed a "one museum with two halls" layout, featuring 16 exhibition halls including the Silk Road and Tibetan civilization, the grand view of Chinese Tibetan art painting, and the history of Tibetan medicine.Qinghai Tibetan Culture MuseumThe collection is rich, historic, and diverse, possessing high historical, scientific, and artistic value. The museum houses the Guinness World Record-holding thangka masterpiece, "The Grand Thangka of Tibetan Culture and Art," which is 618 m long. It was planned by renowned thangka master Zongzhe Lajie and completed by 400 painters over four years. Its content encompasses the Tibetan understanding of the universe, the formation of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, history, religion, medicine, culture, art, and folklore. With its intricate details and brilliant colors, it is a magnificent sight and can be called an encyclopedia of Tibetan culture, hailed as a "contemporary national treasure." Through four major series—ancient books and documents, Tibetan medical thangkas, ancient Tibetan medical instruments, and Tibetan material specimens—the museum comprehensively displays the long history, profound theoretical system, clinical practice, and unique preparation techniques of Tibetan medicine, with four ancient books included in the National Catalogue of Precious Ancient Books. The Silk Road and Qinghai-Tibet Civilization exhibition hall uses history as its temporal dimension and the vast plateau landscape as its geographical dimension. Through thousands of precious cultural relics such as silk, gold and silver ware, and coffin paintings, it highlights Tibetan cultural elements and showcases the origin, inheritance, rise, and prosperity of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau civilization throughout the long river of history. The Tibetan carpet exhibition hall is one of the largest exhibitions of ancient carpets in China, displaying more than 400 Tibetan carpet artifacts from different periods and eras, featuring magnificent patterns, intense colors, and unique ethnic styles and local characteristics. At the same time, there are also Tibetan-style architectural exhibition halls, Tibetan calligraphy art exhibition halls, as well as temporary exhibition halls, multimedia screening rooms, academic lecture halls, and cultural relic storage rooms, providing strong capabilities for inheritance, protection, and research, as well as conditions for cultural exchange.Qinghai Tibetan Culture MuseumIt will continuously improve the level of cultural relic preservation, exhibition design, scientific research, and management operations, becoming a platform for promoting ethnic unity and social development, a broad stage for cultural dissemination and academic exchange, a research center for cultural relic protection and Tibetan studies, and an exhibition center for treasured literature and collections, showcasing the splendid civilization and culture of the Tibetan Plateau to the world.

No. 3 of Best Things to Do in Qinghai

Kumbum Monastery

Kumbum Monastery is one of the important monasteries of the Gelug (Yellow Hat) sect of Tibetan Buddhism and the birthplace of Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Yellow Hat sect. The monastery features magnificent architecture, abundant treasures, and a strong religious atmosphere, making it one of the more popular travel destinations in Xining. Overview of the visit It has distinct differences in architectural layout compared to Han Chinese Buddhist temples in inland China: the complex here is not symmetrically arranged along a central axis. The monastery is an ancient architectural complex composed of numerous halls, scripture halls, stupas, and colleges, with each sutra hall, main hall, and stupa irregularly distributed on a small hill. Travelers can explore the site in a relatively free manner rather than following a straight path along a central axis. The Great Golden Roof Hall of Kumbum Monastery is the center of the entire architectural complex. It is said that Master Tsongkhapa was born here, and when he was born, his umbilical cord blood dripped on this spot, from which a bodhi tree grew. Later, a stupa was built around the tree, and a monastery was constructed, hence the name. Believers hold that this tree and stupa are the embodiment of the master. The three unique features of the attraction: butter sculptures, murals, and appliqué embroidery. Butter sculptures are made by mixing butter with various pigments to mold and carve into figures of Buddhas, people, flowers, birds, animals, and pavilions. Travelers can admire exquisite butter sculptures at the butter sculpture hall inside the temple (located far from the main gate). Vibrant centuries-old murals can be appreciated in the main halls, corridors, and front galleries of the temple. Appliqué embroidery involves cutting colored satin into desired shapes, such as Buddha figures or animals, stuffing them with wool or cotton, and embroidering them onto cloth hangings. In the temple's great sutra hall, two rare large appliqué embroidery pieces—"Sixteen Arhats Displaying Divine Powers" and "Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea"—hang on either side. The four major religious festivals (based on the lunar calendar): 1. Cham dance (14th day of the first month) and butter sculpture exhibition (15th day of the first month); 2. Cham dance (14th day of the fourth month), Buddha unveiling, and Cham dance (15th day of the fourth month); 3. Buddha unveiling, Cham dance (6th day of the sixth month), and golden Buddha procession (8th day of the sixth month); 4. Full-day Buddha unveiling (22nd day of the ninth month) and Cham dance (23rd day of the ninth month). During these festivals, activities like Buddha unveiling and ritual dances take place, attracting large crowds of devotees and travelers, creating a lively atmosphere.

Binggou Forest Sea Scenic Area - Viewing Platform

Jingyang Ridge Pass

Near Jingyang Ridge Pass, there are snow-capped mountains and grasslands. The scenery is beautiful, the air is fresh, and herds of cattle and sheep roam the grasslands. The altitude here is approx. 3,000+ m, and the mountain top is adorned with manymani stonesand prayer flags, making it very beautiful.

No. 4 of Best Things to Do in Gansu

Jiayuguan Guancheng

Jiayuguan Guancheng is located in the western section of the Ming Great Wall and was first built during the Ming Dynasty. Upon entering, you will first see the Heishan stone carving group, a collection of stone carvings replicated by modern stonemasons that showcases the history and culture of Jiayuguan. The stone carving group consists of seven parks available for visiting: the Celebrity Inscription Park, the Ancient Poetry Park, the Chronicle Park, the Story Park, the Guerrilla General Stone Carving Park, the Wei and Jin Brick Mural Stone Carving Park, and the Heishan Stone Carving Park. Continuing forward, you will see the Jiayuguan Great Wall Museum, a museum dedicated to the history and culture of the Great Wall, displaying the history, culture, artifacts, and scenery of the Great Wall and Jiayuguan. Proceeding further ahead brings you to the western core area. Before entering Jiayuguan Guancheng, you can first visit the Jiayuguan Cultural Relics Scenic Area - Jiuyanquan Lake on your left. "Jiuyan Spring"Beside it, the water and grass are abundant and the scenery is pleasant, making it a good place in ancient times for stationing troops, raising horses, and guarding the frontier against threats. The currentJiuyan SpringThe water ripples in emerald waves, so clear you can see the bottom."Jiuyan Spring” lies in its tranquility, unruffled by waves. The pass city is divided into an inner city and an outer city, with three main large gate towers. On the walls, there are also structures such as arrow towers, watchtowers, corner towers, pavilions, and sluice gate towers. Inside the pass city, there are the Youji General's Mansion, Jiayuguan Guancheng Scenic Area - Well Pavilion, and Jiayuguan Guancheng Scenic Area - Wenchang Pavilion. Outside the east gate, there are the Jiayuguan Guancheng Scenic Area - Guandi Temple, memorial archway, and opera tower, each with its own history and characteristics, worth visiting one by one. Climbing onto the wall and gazing into the distance, the Qilian Mountains stretch continuously afar, and the vast Gobi grassland lies beneath your feet, evoking a sudden sense of historical solemnity.

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Qinghai Lake

Qinghai Lake Erlangjian Scenic Area

Erlangjian Scenic Area is Qinghai Lake's main attraction. It is located on the south shore of the lake and is home to a shopping center, restaurants, and hotels. The visitor site consists of two areas, the first of which is located near the entrance and provides a range of commercial facilities and a harbor for tourist boats. The other area is a narrow peninsula that stretches out over 10 km into the lake. Taking a boat trip on the lake is one of Erlangjian's most popular activities.

No. 9 of Best Things to Do in Gansu-Qinghai Area

Qinghai Lake

Qinghai Lake is called "Qinghai Lake" in Tibetan (meaning "blue sea"). Located in the northeastern part of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, within Qinghai Province, it is formed byQilian MountainsDatong Mountain,Riyue Mountain and South Qinghai MountainFormed by fault subsidence, it is one of China's largest inland lakes and the origin of Qinghai Province's name. The lake covers a vast area, with a circumference of approx. 360 km. Its waters are boundless, azure, and ethereal. Surrounded by mountains, the lakeshore blends into expansive grasslands. Qinghai Lake boasts spectacular views and numerous attractions, making it a key destination in Qinghai. Natural environment: Qinghai Lake features a plateau continental climate with abundant sunlight and intense radiation. Winters are cold, summers are cool, warm seasons are brief, and cold seasons are prolonged. Spring brings frequent strong winds and sandstorms. Rainfall is scarce, concentrated in the warm season, with distinct wet and dry periods. This climate creates unique beauty in each season. The lake's color shifts with weather and light, sometimes displaying multiple hues in a single day. Scenery varies by season, with the ideal visiting period from April to August. July and August are particularly stunning, as vast rapeseed fields bloom along the shore, their golden yellow contrasting beautifully with the endless blue waters. In addition, when Qinghai Lake is frozen for thousands of miles in winter, you can also experience a different kind of natural grandeur. Historical legend: It is said that over 1,000 years ago, the Tang Dynasty and Tibet formed a marriage alliance, with Princess Wencheng marrying the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo. Before her departure, the Tang emperor gave her a sun-moon treasure mirror that could reflect images of her hometown. On the journey, the princess missed her hometown and took out the mirror, indeed seeing the long-lost Chang'an. Tears welled up in her eyes. However, she suddenly remembered her mission and resolutely threw the mirror away. Unexpectedly, when it hit the ground, a golden light flashed, and it transformed into Qinghai Lake. Attraction introduction: Some attractions have been developed around Qinghai Lake. South of the lake is the main attraction, Qinghai Lake Erlangjian scenic area, where you can take a boat tour. East of the lake lies the famousRiyue Mountain and Daotang Riveretc.; to the north there areJinyintan and the atomic cityand other attractions. In addition, when touring around Qinghai Lake, nearby attractions such as those west of the lake are usually included.Chaka Salt Lake, Hubei'sRapeseed flowers in MenyuanEtc. Ways to explore: You can visit just one side of Qinghai Lake or take a circular tour around it. Most travelers choose the south side for a simple lake view, where the grassland is lush and the scenery is stunning. For a circular tour, you can take a private charter from Xining and travel clockwise, which is also the direction local Tibetans follow for their lake pilgrimage.