Qinghai Lake Bike Tour

Lake Kokonor is the largest lake not only on the Tibetan Plateau but also in China with a circumference of 360 km, located about 100 kilometres west of Xining city at 3205 m above sea level. It is also known as Tso Ngonpo in Tibetan and Qinghai lake in Chinese, which means “blue lake” in Tibetan, Chinese, and Mongolian languages. It is a holy lake for both Tibetans and Mongolians. This bicycle tour is the one of the best cycling tour routes in the entire Tibet! You’ll experience local culture of Tibetan and Mongolian nomadic tribes, beautiful mountain passes with snow peaks rising above the distance, vast oceans of sand dunes, green grasslands with sheep and yaks herding by the lakeside.  Besides on-road and off-road cycling, you can also try to ride a nomadic horse, enjoy a cup of Tibetan tea in a traditional Tibetan yak hair tent or Mongolian yurt. This bicycle tour will give you once in a lifetime experience in Tibet.

Highlights

• Cycling around Kokonor lake
• Tibetan and Mongolian nomadic culture
• Amazing nature of Kokonor lake

Details

• 5-day trip begins and ends in Xining
• 4 nights in hotels and guesthouses
• Altitude from 3000-4700m

Itinerary:

Day 1: Xining – Kumbum monastery – Dzongkar Lhatse Pass –  Qinghai Lake

In the morning drive out to Kumbum Monastery which is located about 27km west of Xining.  In Tibetan, Kumbum means one hundred thousands Buddhas. It is the famed birth place of Je tsongkapa, the reformer of the Gelupa school of Tibetan Buddhism. Kumbum is one of the 6 great monasteries in Tibet and home to over 600 monks. Afterards, we drive up to Dzongkar Lhatse pass which is one of the largest Lhatse or stone pile in Tibet. Then we continue drive to the south shore of Qinghai Lake, the largest lake in China. Kokonor or Tso Ngonpo is the largest lake in China. Located in Qinghai province on an endorheic basin, Qinghai Lake is classified as a saline and alkaline lake. We will drive up on the hill to have an panoramic view of the lake.

Day 2: First day of Cycling around Qinghai Lake (South Shore)

Today, we will ride bikes towards west to Er Lang Jian and  Tanakma, after a short meal break, we continue ride some of the most beautiful areas of Qinghai Lake.  Option of Camping or stay in a guesthouse.

Day 3: Second day of cycling around Qinghai Lake.(West Shore)

We will see the sunrise at Qinghai Lake first, after breakfasts, we will continue ride bike towards north of Qinghai Lake.  We are going through Bird Island and Sato monastery. The bird Island at Qinghai Lake has been well known for long time. Then we will visit the Sato Monastery which is located upper on the hillside. Today is one of the most difficult day of all as you are ascending from lower part of Qinghai Lake to Heibei region which is highest area of Qinghal Lake.  Option to camp or stay in a hotel tonight

preparing to set out in the morning.

Day 4: Third day of cycling around Qinghai Lake (North Shore)

The road continue up and down but mostly you are riding up on the hillside. The lake is very close to the road, so you can always stop by and walk towards the Lake. The land formation changes from green grassland to  Sand  dunes in the sand Island. You can stop to play in the sand dunes or rent a sliding board to slide in the sand. Camp or stay in a guesthouse.

Day 5: Fourth day of cycling around Qinghai Lake (East Shore)

We will continue ride through some of the sand dunes for about 2 hours, then again beautiful grassland appears. You can see yaks and sheep on the both sides of the road. This is a easy ride because there is bike line next to the main road. So you do not need to worry about vehicles passing through. If you are traveling in July or August, you can see endless  yellow rape seeds flowers all the way to the main gate of Qinghai Lake. Our bike ride is completed. Our driver will pick you up and then drive to Xining. Tour ends.