3 routes
Xining
Group from $44
Qinghai day tours
青海 · 一日游
A saltwater sea on the Tibetan plateau, and the monastery that founded a sect
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What a day in Qinghai looks like
Two ways to do itXining sits at 2,275 m on the edge of the plateau, and is the rail gateway to Qinghai Lake — China’s largest saltwater lake — and to Kumbum Monastery, birthplace of the Gelug school’s founder. Days here are long, the light is hard, and the altitude is real.
Group tour
Per person, shared coach
- Admission tickets included
- Licensed Mandarin-speaking guide and audio headset
- Fixed route, fixed departure time
- Lowest price per head — from $44
Private tour
Per vehicle, your party only
- Your own car, driver and guide in your language
- Change the order of the stops as you go
- Same price for one traveller or four
- From $256 for the day — what's included
No shopping stops
★4.3
1 day · 07:30–18:30
Riyue Mountain & Qinghai Lake — the short version
西宁一日游 · 日月山 · 青海湖
Pick-up: Jianyin Hotel, Xida Street
Group from$44pp
Private from$256/day
View route
No shopping stops
★4.7
1 day · 07:10–19:30
Kumbum Monastery · Laji Pass · Qinghai Lake
西宁一日游 · 塔尔寺 · 拉脊山 · 青海湖
Pick-up: Hotels in Chengdong & Chengzhong
Group from$119pp
Private from$256/day
View route
No shopping stops
1 day · 06:30–22:00
Qinghai Lake & Chaka Salt Lake — small group
西宁一日游 · 青海湖 · 茶卡盐湖（8 人小团）
Pick-up: Hotels in Chengdong, Chengzhong & Chengxi
Group from$97pp
Private from$256/day
View route
When to come
- June–September is the only comfortable window; July–August brings rapeseed flowers along the lake. Winter is harsh and many lake services close.
We handle
- Coach or private car, guide and admission bundled into one price
- Passport details passed to the operator for real-name ticketing
- An English itinerary you can show your hotel or the driver
You handle
- The train to and from the city — book it here
- Meals on the day
- Any museum slot that must be reserved on its own mini-program
Prices are in US dollars at a fixed 1 USD = 7 CNY. Group tours are priced per person; private tours per vehicle per day. Times and pick-up points follow the operator's same-day arrangement. Free cancellation up to 7 days before — see the cancellation policy.
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