Haibei Three-Day Travel Guide

—— Explore the Qilian Grassland and Menyuan Flower Sea, Encounter the Plateau Sacred Lake 📅 Itinerary Overview 📍 Destination: Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province (Menyuan, Qilian, Gangcha) ⏰ Duration: 3 days 2 nights 💰 Budget: 6000 RMB (2 people traveling together, 3000 RMB per person) 🚗 Transportation: Private car/Carpool (SUV recommended, about 800 RMB/day) 🏔️ Key Attractions: Menyuan Rapeseed Flower Sea, Zhuo'er Mountain, Qilian Grassland, Qinghai Lake Cliff 🗓️ Detailed Itinerary Day 1: Xining → Menyuan Rapeseed Flower Sea → Qilian County 🚗 Transport: Xining → Menyuan (about 2.5 hours, 800 RMB/day) 🎫 Tickets: Menyuan Rapeseed Flower Sea Viewing Platform (60 RMB/person, best in July-August) 🏨 Accommodation: Qilian County (Recommended: Qilian Wukuang International Trade Hotel, about 400 RMB/night) 🍽️ Meals: Lunch (Menyuan, about 50 RMB/person), Dinner (Qilian, about 80 RMB/person) 📌 Highlights: Menyuan Rapeseed Flower Sea — Golden ocean in July, stunning aerial views (recommended Yuanshan Viewing Platform or Qingshizui Town) Dabanshan Viewing Platform — Overlook Menyuan Basin and snow-capped mountains Arrive in Qilian County in the evening, visit Qilian Night Market (roast lamb, yak yogurt) Day 2: Qilian County → Zhuo'er Mountain → Qilian Grassland → Gangcha County 🚗 Transport: Qilian → Zhuo'er Mountain → Gangcha (about 4 hours total, 800 RMB/day) 🎫 Tickets: Zhuo'er Mountain (80 RMB/person, includes sightseeing bus) 🏨 Accommodation: Gangcha County (Recommended: Gangcha Fanyu Tibetan City Linka Hotel, about 350 RMB/night) 🍽️ Meals: Lunch (Qilian Grassland Tibetan cuisine, about 60 RMB/person), Dinner (Gangcha, about 70 RMB/person) 📌 Highlights: Zhuo'er Mountain — "Little Switzerland of the East," red rocks, green grass, and snow mountains in one frame Qilian Grassland — Horse riding/archery experience (about 50-100 RMB/person) Arou Dasi — Serene Tibetan Buddhist temple (free) Arrive in Gangcha County in the evening, enjoy the scenery along the north shore of Qinghai Lake Day 3: Gangcha → Qinghai Lake Cliff → Xining 🚗 Transport: Gangcha → Qinghai Lake Cliff → Xining (about 3.5 hours, 800 RMB/day) 🎫 Tickets: Qinghai Lake Cliff (20 RMB/person, a hidden gem) 🍽️ Meals: Lunch (by Qinghai Lake, about 60 RMB/person) 📌 Highlights: Qinghai Lake Cliff (also known as "Sea Sacrifice Platform") — Cliff overlooking the deep blue lake, few people and beautiful views Huangyu Fish Migration Viewing Platform (June-August) — Watch Huangyu fish swim upstream in Qinghai Lake Return to Xining, passing by the Atomic City Memorial Hall (free, site of China’s first atomic bomb development base) 💰 Budget Breakdown (Total for 2 people) Transportation (3 days private car) 2400 800 RMB/day, SUV or 7-seat business vehicle Accommodation (2 nights) 750 Economy hotels in Qilian + Gangcha Tickets 320 Menyuan Viewing Platform + Zhuo'er Mountain + Qinghai Lake Cliff Meals 600 6 meals over 3 days, about 100 RMB/person/day Experiences 300 Grassland horse riding, Tibetan costume photo shoot, etc. Others (oxygen tank/snacks) 300 Backup Total 6000 3000 RMB per person ⚠️ Travel Tips Best season: July-August (rapeseed flower sea), September-October (autumn scenery), some attractions closed in winter. Plateau sun protection: Strong UV, essential sunglasses, hat, SPF50+ sunscreen. Clothing advice: Summer clothes during the day + windbreaker, down jacket/softshell needed in mornings and evenings. Road conditions: Many mountain roads, bring motion sickness medicine if needed; Qinghai Lake Cliff is a dirt road, SUV recommended. 🌟 Optional Upgrades Qinghai Lake Cycling: Rent bicycles in Gangcha County to cycle along the lake (about 50 RMB/hour). In-depth tour: Add Bayi Glacier (advance notice required) or Jinyin Beach Grassland. 📸 The snow mountains, grasslands, and lakes of Haibei are a photographer’s paradise! 🏔️🌼