Qinghai Lake, China’s largest inland saltwater lake,spans over 4600 square kilometres, making it China’s largest inland saltwater lake，sitting at an altitude of around 3,196 metres above sea level. 

It took us roughly 3 hours from Xining Railway Station area to reach Erlangjian scenic area,the main developed scenic area, on the lake’s southern shore including a 30minute rest stop along the route.

Outside Erlangjian：

Stepping down at Erlangjian, we headed straight for the lakeshore.

Erlangjian，the swordshaped peninsula juts far out into Qinghai Lake. Wellconstructed wooden boardwalks wind along the water’s edge, leading out toward the peninsula tip for sweeping panoramic lake views. There are cruise terminals, sightseeing shuttle buses, openair sculptures and exhibits introducing local Tibetan culture. Formerly a torpedo testing base, the site carries a unique piece of modernday history alongside its natural beauty.

Qinghai Lake’s vast blue surface stretches so far that the opposite shore is barely visible on clear days. The sheer scale creates the striking illusion that the lake merges directly with the sky.

We walked along the shore for some time and then opted to take the speed‑boat out to the tip of the peninsula and return by sightseeing shuttle bus. The combined ticket cost 140 CNY per person.

It turned out to be a wise decision — the views there were stunning, with stretches of lakeside sand.

Then we took the sightseeing bus back.

Would I recommend including Qinghai Lake in your trip? Yes, definitely! Standing there and feeling its vastness is an unforgettable experience.

Yours Truly

Angie Guo - Charmission Travel