Things to do in Gonghe

Buy tickets for the 9:00 AM bus from Xining Bus Station to Qinghai Lake. You can buy tickets through the Xining Bus Station's WeChat mini-program! The journey takes about 2.5 hours, with a stop at a service station for restroom use. Arrive around 11:30 AM. (There will be grasslands along the way; you can see them from the window.) The tour guide will assist with buying tickets on the bus, or you can buy them at the ticket center. Upon arrival, take a fast cruise to the island, then either the cruise ship to the island or a small train or bus to the lake. On the island, you can play in the sand and see seagulls and yaks. Plan your itinerary carefully; less than 4 hours for sightseeing will feel rushed.

A trip to Qinghai will definitely include Qinghai Lake in the itinerary. The lake is vast, with a loop of over 300 kilometers. There's an annual cycling race around the lake, so the ecological environment and water quality are well-preserved. The officially developed area is Erlangjian, where there are many accommodations. The cliffs and Fairy Bay are on the opposite side. Heimahe is famous for its sunrise views. While passing by, I saw many new guesthouses still under construction; the accommodations there were previously quite basic. Due to weather conditions, our original itinerary for the lake loop was changed. We'll save the cliffs for another time. It's relatively close to Xining. The weather improved slightly when we arrived at Erlangjian. I took a peek at the lake from the viewing platform.

Heimahe is a scenic spot beside Qinghai Lake, with magnificent sunrises and sunsets, bright starry sky, rich Tibetan folk customs, and convenient transportation and accommodation. It is a good place for sightseeing, photography and experience.

A special trip to Longyang Gorge was a delight, far exceeding my expectations! While the Yellow River is known for its silt-laden waters, here I found a tranquil, emerald-green lake. The 33-kilometer-long gorge is majestic and expansive, with an eight-kilometer-long suspended walkway offering breathtaking views. With luck, you might spot argali sheep on the cliffs or golden eagles soaring overhead. The natural scenery is both wild and soothing. A boat trip across Longyang Lake is breathtaking, with the sunset painting the water a shimmering golden light. The adjacent Earth Forest Geological Park, with its millennia-old weathered landforms, features reddish-brown earth pillars under the setting sun, creating a truly atmospheric experience – a natural geological museum. There's also the first dam on the Yellow River, a magnificent and awe-inspiring engineering feat. It offers stunning scenery and insights into hydroelectric history, making it suitable for educational trips, road trips, and family outings. The scenic area boasts excellent facilities, well-maintained trails, clean restrooms, tidy boats, and patient staff. The package ticket is a great deal, and the average summer temperature of around 20 degrees Celsius provides a cool respite from the heat. Unlike other popular tourist destinations, it's not crowded or noisy. With its unique and unparalleled scenery, Longyang Gorge is a must-see when visiting Qinghai!

The beautiful Qinghai Lake is the most worthwhile place to visit. Although you may only visit it once in your life, it will definitely make you unforgettable. You must go there when you are young and can do whatever you want. Yes.

Daotang River is a seasonal river that relies on snowmelt and rainwater, and is the smallest branch of the Qinghai Lake system. The river is winding and clear, like a bright silk floating on the grassland. Here you can ride horses, visit the Tibetan folk culture exhibition hall, watch the oriental magic dog Snow Tibetan Mastiff, and try on ethnic costumes to take photos.

I made a last-minute decision to visit Longyangxia Scenic Area, and it turned out to be a delightful surprise. The weather was fantastic today; although a bit sunny, the view of the emerald green lake in the valley from the boardwalk was truly breathtaking. I didn't see any blue sheep in the scenic area, but there were many golden eagles, frequently flying over the canyon. I also saw the Longyangxia Dam. It was a great experience, and I highly recommend it.

Qinghai Lake Dongger Observation Deck is located on the east bank of Qinghai Lake. It is the only observation platform on the edge of Qinghai Lake and the closest observation deck to Qinghai Lake. Qinghai Lake is the largest plateau inland saltwater lake in China and one of the highest lakes in the world. It is located in the northeast of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. It is worth visiting and will leave you with lasting memories!

Rubber Mountain is a scenic spot on the Qinghai-Gansu Grand Loop Tour. It is probably on the way from Qinghai Lake to Chaka Salt Lake. It has an altitude of 3,817 meters, which is the highest point on this route. Therefore, you must stay calm and do not run too fast to prevent altitude sickness. The scenery here is relatively natural. It is nice to take pictures, take a walk and have a rest.