How long does it take to ride around Qinghai Lake?

Cycling around Qinghai Lake is full of challenges and attractions for many young people. The lake located on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau has always been a symbol of purity. The clear water and blue sky increase the interaction between people and nature. Beautiful quality, I will share with you detailed strategies below. How many days does it take to ride around Qinghai Lake?

The Qinghai Lake Ring Road is 360 kilometers long (starting from Xihai Town and ending in Xihai Town). The Ring Road is four circularly connected roads, namely Huanhu West Road - Huanhu North Road - Huanhu East Road - Huanhu South Road. There are many scenery along the way, but the famous scenic spot "Bird Island" is currently closed. For other scenic spots, the editor recommends that 4 days of riding is more suitable. The following is the 4-day Qinghai Lake cycling guide compiled by the editor:

Day 1 Xihai Town→Jinshawan→Hudong Sheep Farm→Qinghai Lake Fishing Ground→151 Base

Day 1 The journey is about 90 kilometers, mostly on hilly sections. Starting from Xihai Town, follow Gangcha Road all the way south. After riding for about 40 kilometers, you arrive at Jinsha Bay, where many people go sandboarding and horseback riding. Then there is a slight uphill and downhill climb, which is not too difficult. It is close to the 218 National Highway for more than ten kilometers. After another hour of riding, you will reach the national highway. The whole trip is about 6 hours.

Tip: National Highway 218 is a major transportation road in Qinghai. There are many large trucks entering and exiting, so be careful not to ride close to the roadside.

Day 2151 Base→Jiangxigou→Heima River→Shi Naihai

The second day’s journey is about 80 kilometers, mainly on gentle and low-undulating roads. Starting from Jiangxigou, we arrived at the Heimahe Toll Station about 50 kilometers later, and then rode on the Huanhu Road again. The road was clear and there was no interference from trucks. The next ten kilometers were completely pastoral and Tibetan style, with many places The location allows you to ride directly to the lake and visit Qinghai Lake up close.

Day 3 Shi Naihai → Buha River → Quanji → Gangcha County → Hargai Township

The third day’s journey is about 80 kilometers, and almost the entire journey is gentle. But about two kilometers from Gangcha, there is a difficult uphill slope. Once you reach the top of the slope, you are relieved. More than 20 kilometers of downhill and flat roads lead to Hargai Township.

Day 4 Hargai Township→Ganzihe→Dezhou→Xihai Town

The last day’s itinerary is the remaining 60 kilometers, with 3 long slopes and many ups and downs. The road this day has been far away from Qinghai Lake, and the lake is almost completely invisible. Note: There are kilometer markers every 1 kilometer along the Huanhu Road, so you can clearly know your riding distance and the remaining distance. What are the scenic spots along the cycling route around Qinghai Lake?

1. Qinghai Lake: Thousands of acres of rapeseed flowers bloom around the lake. The vast expanse of blue is dotted with golden bright yellow, and the wild flowers in the alpine pastures are colorful. Like silk and brocade, countless fat and strong cattle and sheep are dotted among them.

2. Bird Island (closed): There are many islands called Bird Island in China, the most famous of which is Bird Island in Qinghai Lake. The terrain here is flat, the top of the island is 7.6 meters above the lake, the climate is mild, surrounded by water on three sides, the environment is quiet, the water plants are lush, and there are many fish. It is a natural place for birds to breed and breed. Every April, more than ten kinds of migratory birds from southern my country and Southeast Asia, including band-headed geese, brown-headed gulls, red shelducks, and cormorants, breed here; in autumn, they fly back to the south with their children. It is said that nearly 100,000 migratory birds live on Bird Island.

3. Xihai Town: It is the former Atomic City, a neat and quiet small town. At the foot of the northern hillside is the beautiful Jinyintan grassland. It was here that Wang Luobin met the girl Zhuoma and wrote the masterpiece "In That Distant Place". There is an Atomic City Museum in the town, which is free and open. It is very good and has great educational significance.

4. Gangcha County: It is a place dominated by Tibetans, with Tibetan, Han, Mongolian, Hui and Salar people living together. The pastures are vast, animal husbandry has been developed since ancient times, and the water and grass are abundant. It is known as the "Promised Land". It is one of the key pastoral areas around the lake in Qinghai Province. Come to Gangcha to experience the unrestrained and heroic customs beyond the Great Wall. Recommended attractions off Huanhu Road

1. Chaka Salt Lake: Located on the eastern edge of the Qaidam Basin, about 70km west of Heimahe Township, it is not on the Huanhu Road. It takes a long journey from Heima River to Chaka Climbing the rubber mountain at an altitude of 3800m, you can see many prayer flags on the way. If you are lucky, you can see the mirages formed on these rivers during the day. The salt production here can be used by the people of the whole country for about 75 years.

2. Erlangjian Scenic Area: Located in the southeast of Qinghai Lake, 151km away from Xining, it is also called the 151 Base. The gate of the scenic area is located beside the 109 National Highway. It has now become one of the most important attractions in Qinghai Lake. , in addition to Bird Island, Base 151 is a must-visit place for tour groups to visit.

3. Riyue Mountain: 3250 meters above sea level. Riyue Mountain is located in a fortress with a dangerous situation and a very important strategic position. It has always been the passage from the inland to western Qinghai and Tibet. It once served as the boundary between the Tang Dynasty and Tubo. Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty sent Princess Wencheng to marry Tibet to calm the war. Accompanied by precious mirrors. When she arrived at Riyue Mountain, Princess Wencheng threw the mirror out, and it happened to land on two hills. The eastern half faced west, reflecting the afterglow of the setting sun, and the western half faced east, reflecting the rising moon. Riyue Mountain got its name from this.

4. Daotang River: 3,300 meters above sea level.

Continuing 40km from Riyue Mountain, you will reach Daotanghe Town. Daotang River is a seasonal river originating from Riyue Mountain and relying on snowmelt and rainwater. Since ancient times, there has been a saying that "a river of spring water flows eastward". . Folk singer Zhang Qianqian has a song called "The River Downward", which sings about the sadness and loneliness in the vast land.

July and August every year are the most beautiful time of Qinghai Lake, and also the best time to ride Qinghai Lake. Thousands of acres of rapeseed flowers are blooming around the lake. The wildflowers in the alpine pastures are as colorful as silk. Countless cattle and sheep are fat and strong, dotting the scene. If you want to enjoy the beautiful scenery.