Qinghai
青海 · Qīnghǎi
Qinghai Lake (Erlangjian scenic area) · Photo: Sergio Tittarini · CC BY 2.0
1Cities
16Sights
Cities in Qinghai
2–3 daysXining西宁Kumbum Monastery and the gateway to Qinghai Lake, at 2,260 m on the edge of the Tibetan Plateau.Top sights
塔尔寺Kumbum Monastery (Ta’er Si)One of the six great monasteries of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism, built at the birthplace of its founder Tsongkhapa: golden-roofed halls, eight white stupas and famous yak-butter sculptures.
青海湖二郎剑景区Qinghai Lake (Erlangjian scenic area)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.
东关清真大寺Dongguan MosqueQinghai’s largest mosque, founded in the 14th century and the heart of Xining’s Hui Muslim quarter; the vast courtyard fills with worshippers at Friday prayers.
茶卡盐湖Chaka Salt LakeA working salt lake at about 3,060 m whose thin layer of water mirrors the sky on calm days, walked on salt paths or crossed by a small train.
青海省博物馆Qinghai Provincial MuseumA free museum on Xinning Square covering the plateau’s history: Neolithic painted pottery, finds from the Tibetan-plateau Silk Road and Tibetan Buddhist art.