Located in the northeast of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Qinghai Lake is the largest plateau lake in China. During the blossoming season of alpine flowers on Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, lots of cyclists come to Qinghai to cycle around Qinghai Lake. The Duori Qinghai Lake International Road Cycling Race is the upmost class cycling race in Asia and the international cycling race at the highest elevation.

▲ The 17th Qinghai Lake International Road Cycling Race Photo by Zhao Xinyuan

Led by a professional cycling guide, this trip mainly focuses on cycling around Qinghai Lake with a combination of multiple explorations including astronomy and geography, observation of wildlife on Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, visit the Atomic City, and experiences of nomadic lives. With all these carefully planned activities, we hope to bring you a chance to gain a better and in-depth understanding of natural and cultural resources in Qinghai as well as experience the charm of cycling. 

▲ Primula nutans Georgi blossoming in summer on Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

Trip Targets

1. Cycling and exploring around Qinghai Lake：Focusing on cycling around Qinghai Lake, we will complete our journey of exploration on culture, astronomy, history, and ecological nature;

2. Upgrade your cycling skills：Know about the structure of a bicycle, learn to troubleshoot some simple problems, and upgrade our skills of cycling safely at medium and long-distance;

3. Building up characters and physical strength：Through self-challenging and physical exercising, we build up our character and anti-frustration capability with a better understanding of teamwork and parent-and-child communication.

▲ Black-necked Crane——A bird on Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

Trip Highlights

1. Carefully-crafted cycling route with professional logistic supports;

2. Exploring on plants and animals living by Qinghai Lake with a good chance to encounter some rare wildlife such as Przewalski's Gazelle and Black-necked Crane;

3. Enjoy the natural and ecological wonders such as Chaka Salt Lake, which has been famed as the Sky Mirror and the Scaleless Carp Runs;

4. Visit the only Atomic City Memorial in China to learn the stories about how China researched and made its first Nuclear Bomb and H-bomb;

5. A variety of experiences including stargazing, horse-riding, and Tibetan family visit, which give you a chance to experience the authentic and pure nomadic life and Tibetan culture.

▲ Chinese antelope——the national class one protected animal in China

▲ Tour Map

Day 1：Meet in Qinghai.

In the morning, we meet you at Xining Airport and then we go to Xihai Town by our bus to acclimatize ourselves to the plateau. For those who arrive earlier, please contact us for logistic arrangement.

In the afternoon, we have our camp-opening ceremony on the grassland followed by a visit to the Atomic City Memorial to learn how the first nuclear bomb and H-bomb were researched and made successfully. 

In the evening, we play board games followed by a stargazing program.

▲ Upland Buzzard——a raptor on Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

Day 2.：Cycling debut.

In the morning, we drive to Xihai Town and get our bicycles in where we will learn about the function of each part by dismantling and assembling a bicycle, and how to troubleshoot simple problems. We will also give instructions for the riding followed by a field test and short ride exercise to enable us to ride bicycles on high elevation areas. 

In the afternoon, we ride our bus from Xihai Town to Jinshawan, from where we will cycle to Jiangxigou(about 30km) with a great view of blossoming rapeseed flowers and get our initial taste of fun from riding cycling around Qinghai Lake.

In the evening, we will have a stargazing program and individual sharing.

▲ Birdview of Qinghai Lake

Day 3：Visit Chaka Salt Lake and continue our cycling along the best section of the cycling route.

In the morning, we take our bus to Chaka Salt Lake to learn how the salt lake was formed and feel the charm of the Sky Mirror.

In the afternoon, we take our bus from Chaka Salt Lake to Heimahe and then cycle another 25-35km along Qinghai Lake to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Qinghai Lake from a close distance.

In the evening, we will have stargazing and camping under the starry sky.

▲ The nomads and their tents by the side of Qinghai Lake

Day 4：Explore wildlife in Qinghai.

In the morning, we will enjoy the beautiful sunrise of Qinghai Lake followed by a hike in Wolonggou Valley, observing the unique birds and flowers on Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and learning the surviving secrets of alpine flowers.

In the afternoon, we will continue our cycling in the best section of our cycling route.

In the evening, we will play an indoor theme board game and stargazing.

▲ The desert landscape along Qinghai Lake

Day 5：Experience Tibetan Life.

In the morning, we cycle on the best section of the routes, observing ecological wonder——The runs of Scaleless Carp.

In the afternoon, we go to Gangcha, which is a Tibetan county in Qinghai with a visit to a local Tibetan family to learn about the living environment of local Tibetans, their daily lives, tradition, and customs including drinking Yak butter tea.

In the evening, we will play indoor theme board games and stargazing.

▲ Cycling route around Qinghai Lake

Day 6：Explore the rare animals and plants and camp-closing ceremony. 

In the morning, we take our bus to Ganzihe Township to look for the endangered animal——Przewalski's Gazelle, and learn about the protection status of this animal. Then we will have our final 30km of cycling to arrive at our destination and return our bicycle.

In the afternoon, we will have a camp-closing ceremony on the grassland and share our thoughts with other participants before we take our bus back to Xining. 

In the evening, you can either choose to stay in Xining on your own or fly back home(at your choice).

▲ Plateau pika living on the Qinghai Tibet Plateau

Location：Qinghai Lake and surrounding areas in Qinghai Province

Dates：The first trip, July 25-30 in 2024, the second trip, August 1-6 in 2024

Trip Size：15-24pax, minimum 15

Target participants：Children skilled at cycling and aged above 12 and adults

Price：1,000USD/pax, same price for adults and children

The price includes：the transportation, the bicycle rent, logistic van for bicycle transferring, entrance tickets, 5 nights of hotel stays, cycling teachers, service charges, meals, material preparation, travel insurance for the itinerary above

The price does not include：the transportation to and from Xining, any expenditure of personal nature, and items not specified as being included in the itinerary

Hotel Stay：local hotels or guesthouse(one twin-bed room for one family, for children without a parent, arrange room-sharing according to the actual situation. In principle, we do not use one room for one single child. If parent hopes to use a single room, the single supplement is 220USD/pax).

Transportation：We rent a local registered tour bus for the whole trip.

Food：Local popular restaurant with a balanced selection of meat and vegetable dishes. We provide purified water for the hotel trip.

Safety Measures：

1. All around process control and safety check before the start of the trip.

2. Staff with AHA first aid certificate and first aid kit during the whole trip.

3. Detailed rules and instructions for the trip and ensure all the participating parents and children know them.

4. Measures for epidemic prevention: we will prepare epidemic prevention materials such as surgery masks, pure alcohols, hand sanitizer, and thermometer. We will have a temperature check before the start of our trip activities.