Qinghai Lake (Erlangjian scenic area)
青海湖二郎剑景区 · Qīnghǎi Hú Èrlángjiàn Jǐngqū
China’s largest lake, a vast blue saltwater lake on the grassland at about 3,200 m. Erlangjian, a long spit on the south shore, is the main managed area closest to Xining, with a lakeside walk and boat trips.
Booking recommendedBring your passportFull day from Xining (2–3 hours at the lake)
Tip
At about 3,200 m the sun is fierce and the wind cold even in summer: bring a jacket, hat, sunglasses and sun cream, and walk slowly. Late July is when the rapeseed fields around the lake turn yellow.
- Opening hours
- Peak season (May–mid-Oct) roughly 08:00–18:00 or later; shorter hours in the off-season. Check before you go. To be confirmed
- Price
- About ¥90 in peak season, less in the off-season; boat trips extra To be confirmed
- How to book
- Real-name tickets with your passport, booked online through the scenic area’s official WeChat channels or Trip.com; in summer, daily visitor numbers are capped, so book a few days ahead. To be confirmed
- Getting there
- About 150 km west of Xining, 2–2.5 hours by car on the G6/G109 over the Riyue Mountain pass. Tourist buses leave Xining in the morning (about ¥37 one way); a car with driver or a hotel day tour can add Riyue Mountain on the way To be confirmed
- Address in Chinese
- 青海省海南藏族自治州共和县倒淌河镇109国道旁青海湖二郎剑景区
Photo: Sergio Tittarini · CC BY 2.0
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Checked against these sources on 2026-10-02. Rules change often, so confirm on the official site before you go.
Not yet confirmed by an official source: Opening hours, Price, How to book, Getting there
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