"Qinghai Lake Tourism" from Xining West to Qinghai Lake

The highway distance from Xining to Qinghai Lake is about 80 kilometers, and the circumnavigation of the lake is about 400 kilometers. It is difficult to take a long-distance bus to Qinghai Lake. You can take a long-distance bus from Xining Long-distance Bus Station to Heima River, about 50 kilometers away from Bird Island. It takes nearly 5 hours and costs about 20 yuan. Then rent a local minivan to go to Bird Island, the cost is about 50 yuan/car.

You can reach the south shore of Qinghai Lake by taking the train and getting off at Hargai. However, since Bird Island is on the north shore, this option is not very good. There are many travel agencies in Xining soliciting business to go to Qinghai Lake Bird Island at train stations and hotels. Generally, the cost of a one-day trip is about 100 yuan, and the cost of a two-day trip is about 180 yuan. It does not include food, accommodation and ticket costs.

During the peak tourist season from May to September, buses depart every day. Another way is to rent a car to go to Qinghai Lake yourself. The cost of going around the lake is about 800-1,000 yuan. Although I passed by Qinghai Lake when I took a long-distance bus or train to Golmud, I could only see it from a distance. If you insist on passing through Bird Island on the way to Golmud, you can only rent a car and walk along the north shore of Qinghai Lake for a while and then turn to the main road to Golmud on the south coast. There is a cruise ship from Bird Island to "Haixin Mountain" in the lake, which costs 45 yuan per person.

Qinghai Lake is located on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, 150 kilometers away from Xining. Charter a taxi in Xining City to tour Qinghai Lake. Going to the first port of Qinghai Lake and Bird Island costs 600 per person, and the car can seat four people. Relatively speaking, it is still possible, at least it will be more free than tour groups such as tour guides. If you don’t go to Bird Island, but just go to the first port of Qinghai Lake, chartering a car for a day only costs 300-350 yuan.

In addition, there are travel agencies in every hotel in Xining. Individual travelers can go to Qinghai Lake with their groups. Generally, it can be done for 80 yuan/person by minibus or minibus. The lowest price can be reduced to 60 yuan/person. Including tour guide fees, insurance fees, and round-trip transportation fees. Special tip: For self-guided backpackers, it is recommended to join a one-day tour group (individual group tours must have an experienced and punctual tour guide), unless you plan to walk or bike around the lake. Because Qinghai Lake has a circumference of more than 300 kilometers and various scenic spots are scattered widely. Although there is a shuttle bus to Qinghai Lake from Xining, it does not go directly to the scenic spot. It goes to Gangcha County. To go to Qinghai Lake, you need to transfer to another bus, and it can only be It is more comfortable to get off at a destination and take a travel agency car.