A Soul Journey to the Qinghai 

Having heard of the beauty of the Qinghai Lake many times, I finally decided to go there. When I came back to Xian, I found that I had lost my heart at the Qinghai Lake......

Marnyi Stones

Roast Yak Meat

Niang Pi, a snack in Xining

In the evening of August 9, I set off my journey to Xining. Luckily, I got a sleeping train ticket from Xian to Xining. In fact, it was uncomfortable to sleep on the train. Considering of my journey to the Qinghai Lake, I forced myself to sleep to save energy for my trip.

In the morning of August 10, I arrived at Xining West Railway Station. I didn’t go to the Qinghai Lake directly. Instead, I decided to have a short trip to Ta'er Monastery, the center of the Yellow Hat Sect in Tibetan Buddhism. There I learned that the monastery is called “Gongben” in Tibetan. “Gongben” means 10000 Buddha figures. I am not a follower of the Buddhism. Thus, I didn’t spend much time in the monastery. After that, I went to the Qinghai Museum for a visit, trying to learn some history knowledge.

Taer Monastery 1

Taer Monastery 3

Taer Monastery 4

Qinghai Museum

My soul journey to the Qinghai Lake started in the morning of August 11. At first, I wanted to say that I didn’t take the same route like other visitors because it was a bit boring. Before setting out, I did some lessons and learned that Heimahe is another location where I could enjoy the grand beauty of the lake. “It is one of the best locations to appreciate the sunrise on the Qinghai Lake. What’s more, it is free for visit”, A travelogue says. I fully agreed on what the travelogue said.

Qinghai Lake

Sutra streamers by the lake

 
I got up very early because I had to go to the old Xining railway station. There is a bus station beside the railway station. I bought the ticket from Xining to Heimahe. The bus departed at 08:30 and arrived at 14:00. If I entered the Qinghai Lake at its entrance, I could get there before 12:00. But I didn’t.

By the way, you have to fully prepare for the difficult conditions in Heimahe if you decide to take the same route like me. There are some Sichuan style restaurants but the foods are expensive. The living conditions are very difficult for those travelers who get used to soft beds, showers and clean toilets.

I made some new friends on the bus. So we had a meal together and shared the bill. After the meal, we found a local’s house and decided to stay there. It cost just 50 yuan for a night and we could just walk to the lake in 30 minutes. The owner was kind. He offered us thick clothes for free when we appreciated the sunrise next morning.

In the late afternoon, my new friends and I walked to the Qinghai Lake to see the beautiful sunset. It was amazing.

Sunset at the Qinghai Lake 1

Sunset at the lake 2

If you decide to appreciate the sunrise, get up as early as you can. We got up very early. When we got there, we found that there were just us by the lake. The sunrise was magnificent and I couldn’t describe its beauty in words. Maybe, the pictures could.

Missing

sunrising

Sunrise 2

Sunrise at the lake 1

If you dare ride the yak, you can take a great picture on the yak. Do not forget to bargain with the yak’s owner. I was attracted to the white yak. So I rode on the yak and took some nice pictures. I should tell you that there are tents by the lake. You may rent a tent to experience the local’s life.

White Yak

A lama by the Qinghai Lake

After having much fun in the Qinghai Lake, my new friends and I decided to visit the Chaka Salt Lake. Honestly, I didn’t know this place before. My friends just said that the scenery was awesome and I would have regretted if I hadn’t been there. So I made up my mind to see the salt lake with them. We charted a car and started our journey to the salt lake. The driver said that he could take us to the entrance of the Chaka Lake and the ticket was 50 yuan. He supplemented that he also could take us to a location where we could see the salt lake but we didn’t have to buy the entrance tickets. Finally, we took his first suggestion. He kept his promise and took us the entrance.

Way to the Chaka Salt Lake

Way to the Chaka Salt Lake 2

Green

I was shocked when I got off the car and walked close to the salt lake. The blue sky reflecting in the tranquil salt lake! Amazing! Just remember that the sun is very strong so that you should wear a pair of sun glasses and use sun-block lotion.

Salt Lake 1

Salt Lake 2

the Road of Sky

Chaka Salt Lake

 
Staying at the salt lake for 1.5 hour, we decided to go back to Heimahe. None of us wanted to leave but we had to got back to Xining on the same day. The driver took us back to Heimahe and charged 200 yuan for this wonderful trip. Again, we didn’t catch the bus from Heimahe to Xining. So we stood by the road, waiting for a car to take us back to Xining. We did it and arrived in Xining at night.

I said “goodbye” to my friends and began seeking a place for sleeping. Maybe, I was too tired. I had a sound sleep and got up around 10:00 in the morning. My train back to Xian departed at 21:00. Thus, I planned to go somewhere in the afternoon. Finally, I decided to see the Qinghai Wildlife Park. There I didn’t see the giant pandas but I did see the lesser pandas (also called red panadas). They were very cute.

Red panada or Lesser Panada

I got out of the park at around 18:00 and then headed for the railway station directly. When I got to the railway station, I found a restaurant to feed my stomach. After that, I bought some local specialties and took the train back to Xian. I wasn’t sleepy on the berth because my head was full of the amazing scenery of the Qinghai Lake and Chaka Salt Lake.

I swear I will go there again, I promise.

 More Qinghai Travel Reviews