Top 20 Best Things to Do in Qinghai
left-leaf
trip-best

Top 20 Best Things to Do in Qinghai

right-leaf
Trip.Best is a collection of travel rankings that takes into account the travel choices and genuine preferences of hundres of millions of Trip.com users. It is updated monthly based on real data.
2026 Global 100
2026 Global 100 image
Innovation Award
Innovation Award image
Contact Us
facebook icon
instagram icon
tiktok icon
󰴉
Theme filters
District
Theme filters
District
  • Chaka Salt Laketop_1
    󰺂8.6
    Ulan>100 km from downtown
    trip best TravelHotspot logoChaka Salt Lake Scenic Area: Free for a limited time | Dec 1, 2025-Feb 28, 2026
    trip best small logoFeatured in 2026 China 100 - Best Things to Do
    Highlights:
    󱓊Take a Train to the Lake to See the Pure Salt Lake
    󱓊Train ride to pristine salt lake
    󱨠Saved by 376 users󱨠10943 positive reviews
    4.3/5
    東国東国

    This film area is a bit special. The white salt field looks like snow shadows, which is very beautiful. However, once you get to the film area, you have to pay extra for almost every attraction. You can't move an inch without paying.

  • Qinghai Tibetan Culture Museumtop_2
    󰺂8.3
    Xining.Qinghai Tibetan Culture Museum/Wanda Plaza>100 km from downtown
    Highlights:
    Tibetan music shows daily until 8/15
    󰋄Open year-round, closed 3 days
    󱨠Saved by 230 users󱨠7339 positive reviews
    4.8/5
    羊猫树羊猫树

    The Thangka paintings were truly breathtaking, especially because of their length. There seemed to be very few staff members; there wasn't a single person at the service desk. I really wished I could hire a guide. Otherwise, I was completely confused. Hopefully, more guided tours will be available in the future.

  • Kumbum Monasterytop_3
    󰺂8.2
    11.02
    Xining>100 km from downtown
    trip best TravelHotspot logoKumbum Monastery is poetic in winter | Nov 2025-Jan 2026
    Highlights:
    󱓊Unique hilltop temple complex
    󱓊Butter sculptures & Thangka masterpieces
    󱨠Saved by 251 users󱨠9289 positive reviews
    4.6/5
    大    牛大 牛

    Kumbum Monastery is famous for two main reasons. First, its location is close to Xining, the capital of Qinghai Province, only 28 kilometers away, making it easily accessible to travelers with excellent service. Second, it is the birthplace of Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism, for whom a large silver stupa was built. Later, a monastery was built around the stupa, which was then directly named Kumbum Monastery. It's a vast complex, built against the mountainside, very majestic. Walking among it, experiencing Tibetan Buddhism, and watching the Tibetan people prostrating themselves in devout worship, you'll feel somewhat mesmerized. 😂

  • Chaerhan Salt Lake
    4
    󰺂8.0
    85.93
    Golmud>100 km from downtown
    trip best TravelHotspot logoThe magnificent Chaerhan Salt Lake reappears in a stunning scene
    Highlights:
    󰀆20-mile salt bridge across lake
    Spectacular salt crystals & unique landscape
    󱨠Saved by 112 users󱨠2637 positive reviews
    4.7/5
    M25***94M25***94

    The bus costs 60 yuan per person, and the ride is really long, haha. The colors of the scenic area are beautiful, very beautiful. You must go when the weather is good, otherwise it's not really green or emerald green.

  • Wusute Yadan Geological Park
    5
    󰺂8.0
    Golmud>100 km from downtown
    Highlights:
    󰀆360° view of Yadan Lake
    󱨜Castle-like formations on water
    󱨠Saved by 124 users󱨠3351 positive reviews
    4.5/5
    pupu ོpupu ོ

    Absolutely stunning! You absolutely must take a speedboat and a paraglider – it's totally worth it! Otherwise, you won't see even a fraction of the beauty of the water-based Yadan landforms! These are unfiltered, real photos! But you really need to take a speedboat to see them.

  • Emerald Lake
    6
    󰺂8.0
    Haixi Prefecture>100 km from downtown
    󱨠Saved by 129 users󱨠990 positive reviews
    4.5/5
    kky***22kky***22

    Emerald Lake offers exceptional value for money in winter. With an off-season entrance fee of only 25 yuan, and avoiding the 60 yuan train ride, it's incredibly affordable. You can easily see half of Emerald Lake – that's more than enough! Check out the photos!

  • Qinghai Lake
    7
    󰺂7.9
    44.07
    Gonghe>100 km from downtown
    trip best TravelHotspot logoQinghai Lake's freezing season returns with a view of half clear water and half ice | Dec 2025-Feb 2026
    trip best small logoFeatured in 2026 China 50 - Cool Water Escapes
    Highlights:
    󱓊Clockwise lake tour & Tibetan culture
    Boat ride & scenic views
    󱨠Saved by 194 users󱨠3671 positive reviews
    4.5/5
    Anonymous userAnonymous user

    A big thumbs up to Mr. Ye (driver Qing AF650A)! This one-day in-depth tour of two lakes has come to a successful end. We departed from Xining to Qinghai Lake and Chaka Salt Lake. He picked us up at 6 AM and we returned precisely at 9 PM! He was incredibly punctual, with no delays whatsoever. We had ample time to explore, and he wasn't rushing us at all. He was very cooperative and punctual in managing the itinerary. His time management was truly excellent. Secondly, Mr. Ye's service was excellent. He patiently answered all our questions, explained local ethnic minority customs, and shared a lot about Qinghai's history, geography, and lifestyle. The experience was very comfortable and relaxed. There were no forced or hidden charges. He reminded us of the off-season travel times to and from the scenic areas and made sure to allow time for restroom breaks. Since shops were closed during the off-season, he drove us to town for a delicious and affordable lunch. We ate local noodles for only 10 yuan with free refills. There was no pressure to choose a restaurant or share meals; we were free to find our own food. Along the way, they were willing to stop for a minute to take a couple of photos of the beautiful scenery. They weren't rushed at all, and most importantly, they didn't waste any time, departing on time and arriving almost ahead of schedule. They handled everyone's safety concerns very well; the driver was very stable and skilled, with no speeding, overtaking, or reckless driving. They repeatedly reminded everyone to fasten their seatbelts and reminded them to be careful before entering the scenic areas. They prioritized the safety of tourists, showing incredibly thoughtful attention to detail. I slept very comfortably in the car, haha. Driver Ye respected the tourists' choices and generally met their needs. I was really lucky to have him leading the tour that day; the weather was also great, a sunny day perfect for photos. Everything went smoothly, even better than expected, and we were very fortunate not to encounter any problems. Also, the scenery of Qinghai Lake and Chaka Salt Lake was absolutely breathtaking! The scenery was breathtaking all along the way. I brought my camera and took many great photos, a truly rewarding experience. I haven't had time to process the photos yet, so below are some unedited, original photos of Qinghai Lake and Chaka Salt Lake taken with my phone. The scenery in person is even more beautiful than in photos. Traveling during the off-season avoids peak times, eliminating queues and allowing for a relaxed and enjoyable journey – it's truly fantastic. This day tour included highway tolls with no extra charges, Qinghai Lake tickets were discounted during the off-season and included a free fridge magnet, round-trip bus fare was free, and Chaka Salt Lake was free. The group was a small group of 8, but only 6 people actually traveled with us, making it excellent value for money! It left me with wonderful memories and impressions of Qinghai. Finally, the overall travel experience was perfect, enjoyable, and comfortable. There was no feeling of being rushed or rushed; I was able to enjoy the journey at a leisurely pace. I'm very grateful to Mr. Ye and this tour group; they deserve this honest and positive feedback! This is a genuine review! A sincere review, no shilling! It matches the description on the homepage. I was very satisfied with the service, the details were thoughtful, the safety measures were taken seriously, and the itinerary was well-planned. So, everyone can book with confidence; there were no disappointments, it was perfect in every aspect, and this is a very reliable review. Let me reiterate, I am not a shill, I am not a shill, this is an honest review from the bottom of my heart. I would definitely recommend it to my friends, and I will definitely come back next time. I will consider using this tour group for my future trips. Until next time! Thank you!

  • Xining Wildlife Park
    8
    󰺂7.8
    Xining>100 km from downtown
    trip best TravelHotspot logoCapital of Snow Leopards: Lingbu'e Animal Profile
    trip best small logoFeatured in 2026 China 100 - Family-friendly Attractions
    Highlights:
    󰋄Simulated alpine rocks for snow leopards
    󱓊Wildlife viewing & educational experience
    󱨠2343 positive reviews
    4.6/5
    山河被占用山河被占用

    Xining Zoo is quite a popular zoo, and since I went during the off-season, it wasn't crowded, but I still had a wonderful time seeing many animals. The only downside was that the Pallas's cat enclosure was under renovation, so I didn't get to see it, but I saw all the other animals, making the ticket well worth it.

  • Riyue Mountains (Sun and Moon Mountains)
    9
    󰺂7.7
    33.05
    Huangyuan>100 km from downtown
    Highlights:
    󱓊Diverse landscapes & fluttering prayer flags
    Yak rides & highland photography
    󱨠Saved by 138 users󱨠816 positive reviews
    4.4/5
    沫沫然_沫沫然_

    The Qinghai-Tibet border landscape is breathtaking, the fluttering prayer flags create a wonderful atmosphere, and the legend of Princess Wencheng adds to the charm! A must-see for anyone passing through, the scenery is magnificent, the Tibetan culture is rich, and the price is great!

  • Chaka Sky No.1 Scenic Area
    10
    󰺂6.7
    33.05
    Ulan>100 km from downtown
    trip best TravelHotspot logoChaka Sky No. 1 winter wonder | Nov 2025-Dec 2025
    Highlights:
    󱓊Glass slide view: Salt Lake & Kunlun Mountains
    󰋄Unique boardwalk: koi & clover
    󱨠1050 positive reviews
    4.3/5
    M35***28M35***28

    The hotel does not have a navigation system, so it is best to ask the hotel staff before going. The staff was very attentive and even upgraded us to a larger RV for free, which was very nice (。•̀ᴗ-)

Best things to do in Qinghai (2025)

Looking for the ultimate experiences in Qinghai? From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, Qinghai offers an exceptional collection of activities and attractions that cater to every type of traveler.

Whether you’re here for sightseeing, adventure, or cultural exploration, these top-rated activities promise unforgettable memories.

Top-rated things to do in Qinghai

If you want to make the most of your trip, these activities deliver the full Qinghai experience. Expect popular attractions, unique local experiences, and must-see spots that capture the essence of the city.

Chaka Salt Lake

• Ulan | >100 km from downtown

• : Take a Train to the Lake to See the Pure Salt Lake,Train ride to pristine salt lake

Qinghai Tibetan Culture Museum

• Xining.Qinghai Tibetan Culture Museum/Wanda Plaza | >100 km from downtown

• : Tibetan music shows daily until 8/15,Open year-round, closed 3 days

Kumbum Monastery

• Xining | >100 km from downtown

• : Unique hilltop temple complex,Butter sculptures & Thangka masterpieces

Things to do for unique experiences

These activities provide memorable experiences beyond the ordinary. Enjoy cultural tours, adventure sports, guided excursions, and immersive local experiences designed for all interests.

Things to do near Qinghai

If you want to explore attractions just outside Qinghai, there are plenty of activities that combine scenic surroundings with convenient access to the city, perfect for day trips or short excursions.

Each of these activities offers a unique escape within 1–3 hours of Qinghai, ideal for travelers who want to combine sightseeing with local experiences.

What makes things to do in Qinghai special

• Iconic landmarks: Visit must-see sights that define the city.
• Local experiences: Engage in culture, crafts, and unique activities.
• Accessible adventures: Easily reachable attractions for all travelers.
• Diverse options: From relaxing experiences to adventurous outings.

Tips for booking things to do in Qinghai

1. Plan ahead for popular attractions to avoid long queues.
2. Book early for guided tours or seasonal events.
3. Compare prices and packages on Trip.com for exclusive deals and bundled experiences.
4. Consider weekday visits for a quieter and more personalized experience.

Experience the best things to do in Qinghai

Ready to explore the best of Qinghai? Discover Trip.Best's curated list of things to do and experience adventure, culture, and unforgettable memories.

Book your perfect activities on Trip.com today, where excitement and discovery awaits.

What Best Things to Do are there in Qinghai?
These are all Best Things to Do in Qinghai:Chaka Salt Lake, Qinghai Tibetan Culture Museum, Kumbum Monastery, Chaerhan Salt Lake, Wusute Yadan Geological Park
What are some highly-rated Best Things to Do in Qinghai?
Some highly-rated Best Things to Do in Qinghai include:Chaka Salt Lake:4.3, Qinghai Tibetan Culture Museum:4.8, Kumbum Monastery:4.6, Chaerhan Salt Lake:4.7, Wusute Yadan Geological Park:4.5
At what locations in Qinghai can Best Things to Do in Qinghai be found?
The Best Things to Do in Qinghai are mainly located in:Chaka Salt Lake:Ulan, Qinghai Tibetan Culture Museum:Xining, Kumbum Monastery:Xining, Chaerhan Salt Lake:Golmud, Wusute Yadan Geological Park:Golmud
󰴉