Guide to self-driving travel from Xi'an to Qinghai

It took one day to arrive in Xining

At 7:30 in the morning, all vehicles and personnel held a launching ceremony at the gathering point of Xi'an North Second Ring Road. Arrive at the entrance of the Third Bridge of Xibao Expressway at 9 o'clock and arrive in Baoji at 10:40. Then pass the Baoji-Tianshui first-class highway and arrive at Tianshui North Road District four hours later. It should be noted in particular that the road conditions for the more than 170 kilometers after Shaanxi entered the Gansu border were poor, which delayed some time. I would like to remind self-driving friends to be relatively cautious when taking this road.

After passing Tianshui, the road conditions were basically very good. Take the first-class highway from Tianshui to Chankou, then take the Chankou-Lanzhou Expressway, arrive at Donggang Interchange in Lanzhou City at 18:00, and go directly to Lanxi Expressway. Due to good road conditions, we arrived in Xining after more than two hours. At 20:30, get off the Lanxi Expressway, enter Xining city, and stay at the Xiadu Hotel booked in advance.

Summary: The first day was basically on the road. What impressed me most was that the expressway between Lanzhou and Xining was very good. It got dark late in Xining, and the sun didn’t set until after 8 p.m. The Sacred Kumbum Monastery and the Simple Folk Village

On May 2, we visited Xining city for one hour in the morning. We went from the city to Kumbum Monastery at 9:30 am. The road conditions were not bad.

Tambum Monastery is the birthplace of Tibetan Buddhism and the birthplace of Tsongkhapa, the founder of the religion. Kumbum Monastery has three unique features: butter flowers, murals and embroidery. Among them, butter flowers are the first. The themes of butter flowers are generally taken from Buddhist scriptures. They include flowers, plants, figures, birds and animals. The colors are so colorful that it is difficult to imagine that they are made of white butter. Butter flowers need to be made at low temperatures. The lamas who make the butter flowers need to dip their hands in ice water before carving to prevent the temperature of the hands from melting the butter. Therefore, these lamas generally have symptoms such as arthritis. There are many taboos in Kumbum Monastery. For example, you are not allowed to step on the threshold with your feet, you are not allowed to touch the Buddha statues and ritual objects with your hands, and you must turn the prayer wheel from left to right. The most important thing is that you are not allowed to take random photos in the temple. The lama in the monastery will stop you.

The Holy Land of Tibetan Buddhism - Kumbum Monastery is truly worthy of its reputation. The golden-domed temple and the small Potala built on the mountain are amazing. The Kumbum Temple got its name from the silver-plated and gem-studded pagoda first, and then the temple was built. The entire monastery is a religious college. It also offers college, university, master's and doctoral degrees. It is said that many monks can speak several languages. They usually chant sutras and debate here.

Basically, you can finish visiting Kumbum Monastery by noon. Depart from Kumbum Monastery at 13:30 and take the expressway to Huzhu County Folk Village, where you can taste farm food and watch local folk custom performances. The most interesting thing is to simulate a local wedding and drink highland barley wine. We returned to Xining around 18:00 in the afternoon and had snacks near the famous "Big Cross" Street in Xining in the evening.

Summary: Overall, it can be said to be a relaxing adjustment. Rest early in the evening and prepare for going to Riyue Mountain and Qinghai Lake on the third day. Quiet Qinghai Lake and Beautiful Bird Island

On May 3, we set off at 7 a.m. and took the Xidaile Expressway in the north of Xining City. We arrived at Riyue Mountain in an hour and a half. This is the iconic place where Princess Wencheng entered Tibet. The stone tablet erected for Princess Wencheng has long been weathered into a wordless tablet, but Princess Wencheng's contribution to the Tang Dynasty and Tibetan culture at that time is still praised today.

Leaved Riyue Mountain at 9:30, arrived at Qinghai Lake at 11 o'clock, and entered the Huanhu Highway. The scenery along the way was very good. This road hosts world-class cycling races every year and is in very good condition. On the road, you will see many tourists riding bicycles around the lake, as well as many yaks. You must be careful when driving here, because these yaks will suddenly jump onto the road, and you can only wait for them to pass before continuing on to Qinghai Lake. You can take a battery car to enter the port. The ticket for a boat around the lake is 40 yuan. This is the largest inland saltwater lake in China, covering an area of ??4,500 square kilometers. It is said that the yellow fish that is abundant here is extremely delicious and of course very expensive, but in order to protect the ecology, we did not think about trying it. The lake tour ends at 12:30, have lunch, and go to Bird Island in the northwest of Qinghai Lake at 14:00.

To Qinghai Lake, you can take a battery car to enter the port. The ticket price for a yacht around the lake is 40 yuan. This is the largest inland saltwater lake in China, covering an area of ??4,500 square kilometers. It is said that the yellow fish that is abundant here is extremely delicious and of course very expensive, but in order to protect the ecology, we did not think about trying it. The lake tour ends at 12:30, have lunch, and go to Bird Island in the northwest of Qinghai Lake at 14:00.

Arrived at Qinghai Lake Bird Island at 15:10, the scenery is very good! This is an important tourist attraction. But now there are not too many birds there. Bird Island is a paradise and paradise for birds, and it is also a wonder of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. In recent years, the quiet and beautiful scenery of Bird Island and the unique life of waterfowl have attracted countless tourists. In the south of Bird Island is a nature reserve with a Bird Island Management Station. Bird Island covers an area of ??less than one square kilometer. From April to mid-July every year, hundreds of thousands of migratory birds of different types gather here to live and breed. We spent about two or three hours on Bird Island and returned to Xining at 21:00 in the evening.

Summary: Seeing the scenery here, you can't help but admire the openness of the world and it's worth a visit. Farewell to Xining and return to Xi'an

At 8 o'clock in the morning, we left Xining and embarked on the return journey. There are cameras at the entrance of the Dingxi Tunnel in Gansu. Be careful not to speed.

At 12 o'clock, we entered the Tianshui to Baoji section of National Highway 310. The road conditions in Gansu Province were really bad! After entering Shaanxi, the road conditions improved significantly. When we were approaching Baoji, we encountered a section of road under construction. We arrived in Baoji at 16:30. Take the Xibao Expressway and return to Xi'an at 19:10.