Reminiscing about 2018, the first spring break trip-Xining·Tambum Monastery·Qinghai Lake·Chaka Salt Lake Small Loop Line

-"Preface"-

This is my first time traveling by myself.

It's still hard to hide my excitement inside.

My mother is also very considerate,

Provide financial grants of up to NT$3,000,

and promised to provide tourism funds for two years.

(Although she had selective amnesia the next year...)

For travel destinations,

I didn’t have a clear idea at the beginning,

But for someone like me who dreams about the ends of the earth all day long,

A "fake journalist" who longs to take root in the western part of the motherland,

There are only two points to choose the destination: West! Far!

Initially I planned to go to Xi’an.

But when I see,

As long as you add 200 yuan to fly from Xi'an to Xining,

Little Shou Shou could no longer hold back.

OK! go!

-"Itinerary Overview"-

Time: May 2-May 5, 2018 (four days in total)

Main locations : Xining, Kumbum Monastery, Qinghai Lake, Chaka Salt Lake

Travel mode : carpooling + independent travel

Trip consumption : total RMB 2,500

Traveler : I am alone

-"Preparation before departure"-

Air tickets, bus tickets, hotels...

A skillful and vigorous operation,

Everything was clearly arranged within half an hour.

 

Air tickets and hotel orders, prices are for reference only

 

Yamada Shintaobitao: For routes departing from Yantai Airport to the southwest or northwest regions ✈️, you can choose to stop in Xi'an . The price will be cheaper than direct flights or stopping in other places. Generally The biggest discounts are available 15-30 days in advance (maybe a little earlier in peak season). Moreover, Xi'an Airport's transfer service is top-notch in the country, ranging from free transfer rooms to the transfer process within the airport, giving you a nanny-level transfer experience. Girls who have no transfer experience can also rest assured! 🌝

In the choice of itinerary,

I hope that without taking too much trouble,

Maximize the freedom of travel,

So I finally chose to take a two-day carpool tour around Qinghai Lake.

Tour the scenic spots in Xining city on your own.

Because the infrastructure and transportation in the western region are worse than those in the east,

And the distance between scenic spots is quite far.

I rented a car by myself...Thousands of dollars were spent in minutes.

So carpooling for free travel has become a good choice.

Yamada’s heartfelt remark: The so-called free travel in a carpool is the free travel in a carpool(word count warning)🐷. The travel agency provides vehicles, drivers and general driving routes. Others (food and accommodation, tickets for major attractions and some small attractions, etc.) can be arranged and decided by yourself and your fellow passengers. Of course, these are not included in the fixed price range and need to be Pay extra. This method can be tested in person to save worry, convenience, and have a lot of fun. It can also be used to reduce unnecessary consumption according to your own situation . It is really a must-have recipe for home travel!

---

-"Day1: Yantai-Xining"-

As a flying enthusiast who dreams of becoming an aviation blogger,

I have always enjoyed the fun of flying.

So the moment I set off for the airport,

The journey has already begun.

The plane's departure time is 9:20 in the morning.

This means I need to get out of bed at six o'clock...

No way, it’s cheaper than taking an early flight🙃

 

#Goodbye, Yantai!

 

When I arrived at the airport with my disheveled head,

It started to rain.

Fortunately, my flight took off on time.

Thank god.🙏🏻

 

#After more than two hours of flight, we arrived in Xi’an smoothly!

Yamada Shintaobitao: If you don’t have checked baggage, you don’t need to leave the arrival hall after getting off the plane at Xi’an Airport to transfer to a domestic flight. There will be a dedicated transfer service counter not far from the plane to provide subsequent flight ticketing and other services (of course , if you are taking a connecting flight, you can check in your luggage directly at the departure airport). One thing to note here is that if you are a ticket collecting enthusiast, Qian! Ten! No! Want! Get tickets directly from the self-service ticket machine, otherwise you will get a ticket that looks like a supermarket cashier receipt. Boarding pass (it is a very thin thermal paper that will become wrinkled within two minutes of holding it in your hand). Therefore, the correct operation is to find a cute girl or a cute guy at the artificial counter to get your boarding pass.

Five hours later, continue the second journey.

#First time flying Juneyao Airlines,

I want to make a complaint here.

There are no entertainment facilities in the cabin, not even a small TV.

The glass felt like it had been brushed with steel wool.

It’s a bit hard to bear...

# Safe arrival at Xining Caojiabao Airport

Xining Airport is similar in size to Yantai Airport.

There is an airport bus ticket window at the arrivals exit.

You can buy tickets and take the bus directly here, 🚌

It's quite convenient.

#西宁市SATELLITE PHOTO

 

Yamada Xintaobitao: Xining is a long and narrow city built along the Huangshui Valley. From east to west, it is divided into Chengdong District (Hui Nationality District), Chengzhong District (Old City District) ), Chengxi District (Han District) and the newly built Haihu New District. There is also Chengbei District to the north, but it is mostly industrial areas, residential areas and schools. Jimei residents can consider their personal preferences and needs when choosing accommodation.

#near hotel

 

Arrive at the hotel,

The hotel is located next to the train station in Chengdong District.

It can be regarded as the fringe area of ​​the central area.

The surrounding transportation is convenient and not too noisy.

The room is not big, but the decoration is warm and clean.

The landlady is also very kind, Ness!

Put down your luggage and simply rest,

After that, we went out to explore this beautiful city.

My guide and driver contacted me immediately,

His surname is Ma (hereinafter referred to as "Xiao Ma"), a member of the Hui ethnic group.

Fair skin, delicate facial features,

The eyes are super big,

It’s so big that it feels like the beauty effects have been stretched to the top.

Although he is about the same age as me,

But I can’t accept that he is getting married...🙃

Since I added him as a WeChat friend,

He has been giving me Amway delicious and fun things,

From time to time, we exchange greetings and ask questions,

Overwhelming warmth and enthusiasm washed over me.

I teased him and said, "You must be a pyramid schemer, right?"

He gasped for breath and kept talking to me.

Well, you are cute, I am willing to give in...🙏🏻

It was already eight or nine o'clock at night when I went out, so I didn't walk very far.

Enjoyed the night view by the Huangshui River, 🌃

Viewed the Dongguan Mosque from a distance, 🕌️

I took a walk on the streets full of Hui uncles.

I had a bowl of Northwest-style noodles, 🍜

I bought two pieces of bread from the halal pastry house...🍞

I grew up in Shandong since childhood.

Maybe I was misled by the TV news.

I always feel inexplicably frightened when facing a place full of religious atmosphere.

It seems like unsafe incidents happen at every turn.

 

I mentioned this matter to Xiao Ma several times.

I got the same answer every time:

"Don't worry, it's very peaceful here!"

Xining, the first feeling is weird,

There is also a hint of kindness. 💕

-"Day2: Xining-Tambum Monastery-Qinghai Lake"-

At half past six in the morning,

"Little brother, wake up~ blah blah blah..."

Well, that's how I got woken up by the pony.

Oh, this damn tenderness.

After simply washing up and having a meal, we left the hotel.

At this time, Xiao Ma was waiting downstairs in a business car.

A simple greeting to friends traveling with me,

The first day of the journey began.

There were seven people traveling in the same car (including me and Xiao Ma).

Everyone seems to be in their twenties or thirties.

So within a few minutes we got to know each other quickly,

And thenbecame a tight-knit group,

In high spirits, singing and dancing all the way,

Run towards the endless distance.

Arrive at Kumbum Monastery.

# a corner of ta'er temple

The following is an introduction to Kumbum Monastery from Du Niang Encyclopedia:

Kumbum Temple, also known as Taer Temple, is located in Huangzhong District, Xining City, the capital of Qinghai Province. It was founded in the 12th year of Hongwu in the Ming Dynasty (1379). It is named after the Big Silver Pagoda built in the Dajinwa Temple to commemorate Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Yellow Sect. In Tibetan, it is called "Gun Ben Xian Balin", which means "Maitreya Temple with a hundred thousand lions roaring Buddha statues".

Kumbum Monastery is the activity center of Tibetan Buddhism in northwest China and enjoys a high reputation in China and Southeast Asia. The central governments of all dynasties have highly praised the religious status of Kumbum Monastery. In the Ming Dynasty, the upper-level religious figures in the temple were granted many titles. Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty awarded the plaque "Jingshang Jinliang", Emperor Qianlong granted the title "Fanzong Temple", and the Dajinwa Temple was awarded the "Sanskrit Dharma Pillar" plaque. The Third Dalai Lama, the Fourth Dalai Lama, the Fifth Dalai Lama, the Seventh Dalai Lama, the Thirteenth Dalai Lama, the Fourteenth Dalai Lama and the Sixth, Ninth and Tenth Panchen Lama all performed at Kumbum Monastery. Celebrate religious activities.

#Monks in robes can be seen everywhere in Kumbum Monastery

 

#Prayer wheel

 

#Scripture scattered in the corners of the alley

Buddhist believers kneeling and worshiping can be seen everywhere at the entrances of large and small halls.

This is a very sacred and solemn activity in Tibetan Buddhism.

It is said that they will kneel down and worship more than 100,000 times in a year.

In order to obtain the protection of the gods.

(Out of respect for them, no photos were taken here)

 

#Wherever you go, never forget the real mission "dog head"

We visited the small Kumbum Monastery for nearly three hours.

Xiao Ma said that he was teasing us because we were practicing Buddhism inside.

I also hope that I can realize something in three hours.

It's a pity that my pig brain is not good enough...

That's all, that's all. 🐷

Continue westward towards Qinghai Lake.

#Passing by Xihai Town, playing Xihai Love Song

#passing near laji mountain pass

Here I want to brag about Xiao Ma’s photography skills.

He is indeed an experienced driver.

Learn the essence of various travel photography,

The photos he takes always amaze us.

#One of them (don’t be offended by ugly people, there will be more later)

Continue westward for more than 100 kilometers and arrive near Qinghai Lake.

Qinghai Lake is 3,200 meters above sea level.

It can be considered a real plateau.

Different from the river valley in Xining,

The air here is fresh and the views are wide, but the weather is also more changeable.

Often when the weather is sunny, there will be a heavy rain in the blink of an eye.

 

#changeableweather on the plateau

#National Highway 109 Qinghai Lake Section

 

Yamada Xintaobitao: Girls who are going to Qinghai Lake for the first time need to pay attention to the fact that the altitude of Qinghai Lake is relatively high, and there is still a slight possibility of altitude sickness. Many people will experience chest tightness and shortness of breath when they first enter high altitude areas. As long as the symptoms are not severe, this is normal. At this time, please do not engage in strenuous physical activities (even in Xining City), replenish water and sugar in time to ensure a good sleep and relax the situation for a day or so will lessen or disappear. As for oxygen bottles, it is recommended not to use them unless absolutely necessary, as it is easy to become dependent.

#Qinghai Lake Scenic Area Gate

#Lake, snow-capped mountains, grassland and sheep complement each other beautifully

#LittleLambAndYak

# Manidui

#A picture proves that I have been to Qinghai Lake

#Blow the pony’s photography skills again

Qinghai Lake is really wide.

Standing by the lake, you will find it hard to imagine that this is a lake.

But maybe it’s because I’ve been used to seeing the sea since I was a kid.

So the shock that Qinghai Lake brings to me is not that strong.

But standing by the lake and looking far away feels very nostalgic.

It is said that rapeseed flowers will be in full bloom everywhere in June and July.

It's a pity that I couldn't catch up when I went.

A little regretful.

Let’s steal a picture here to enrich the boring content. Intrusion and deletion.

#rapeseedflowers in Qinghai Lake

Continue westbound along National Highway 109,

Eighty kilometers of this national highway was built along the southern shore of Qinghai Lake.

Very suitable for sitting in the car and watching the scenery.

The speed of the car was 80 kilometers, the windows were down, and I was in a trance-like mood.

#lakesidegrassland

At 5 pm, we arrived at Heimahe Town.

We will watch the sunrise over Qinghai Lake here the next day, 🌄

Then proceed to Chaka Salt Lake.

Heima River is an important town on the Qinghai Lake Ring Road.

Most people and vehicles will choose to rest here overnight.

And this is the best place to watch the sunrise over Qinghai Lake.

Therefore, the population is dense and the infrastructure is relatively comprehensive.

#黑马河 composed the evening

#hotel room, the environment is still very surprising

Yamada Shintaobitao: When girls travel alone, there are rarely single rooms for accommodation, and they are usually standard rooms for two people. When the travel agency sets the package price, the accommodation fee will be calculated by default for two people living in a standard room. Unless you can find a roommate with whom to share a room, you will need to pay twice as much as the cost of a separate room (About 100 yuan per day). If the trip takes a long time and the number of days of accommodation is long, then a separate room will be a big expense, so Ji Mei who is not well-off can choose to share a room or travel with multiple people.

Surprisingly,

Ninety percent of the restaurants here are mainly Sichuan cuisine, 🌶️

I asked Xiaoma and found out,

The food in the Qinghai-Tibet region has been clearly arranged by the Sichuan people.

As people moved from Sichuan to Tibet, they also brought their food here.

When Tibetans eat it, ugh! I love it!

So it’s not surprising that there are Sichuan restaurants all over the streets.

Xiao Ma took a group of us,

I found a popular Qinghai local hotpot restaurant on the corner of the street.

Among the many Sichuan restaurants with signs with dazzling lights and text,

This earthenware pot shop has a dilapidated foyer and dim lighting.

It really gives people a sense of inaccessibility.

 

Be brave enough to walk in, sit down, and take your first bite...

Very fragrant warning!

The soup base is fragrant and refreshing;

Delicate taste and endless aftertaste!

Paired with spicy oil, it is a challenge to Chongqing hotpot!

Juju boy is satisfied. 🍲🍲🍲

 

#青海土火

Having enough wine and food, feeling happy;

Everyone goes back to their homes, turns off the lights and goes to sleep.

Skrrr!!!🌝

-"Day3: Sunrise over Heima River-Chaka Salt Lake-Xining"-

 

 

It's six o'clock in the morning, it's still dark.

A group of people were neatly dressed and standing by the river.

Get ready to enjoy the beautiful sunrise moment over Qinghai Lake.

It's a pity that God is not kind,

This is what the sunrise we see looks like👇🏻

Humble and humble...

 

#黑马河Sunrise

 

After the crowd dispersed,

I still choose to stay by the lake and sit on the ground,

This is my unique Moment "dog head".

The Qinghai Lake in the early morning is like God’s back garden.

The air is crisp and the breeze is gentle;

The water and grass are lush and the gulls and herons are flying.

Glancing down, I saw groups of marmots scurrying around me.

This feeling is like being in an illusory world.

#Early morning lakeside grassland

 

#There are too many prairie dogs too lazy to take pictures

After a brief rest, continue your journey to Chaka Salt Lake.

 

The further west you go, the sparser the population and the more desolate the land becomes.

Nearby is the Gobi Desert, and in the distance are mountains and rivers.

In such a scenery,

Only human beings can truly appreciate the majesty and power of nature.

#scenery along the way

Arrive at Chaka Salt Lake. 🌊

#天mirrorstele

 

We are very lucky,

This week is the first week that the Chaka Salt Lake Scenic Area is open after being closed for management.

At the same time, Chaka Salt Lake is also open to all tourists free of charge.

We were able to see the cleanest and most pristine appearance of Chaka Salt Lake.

Chaka Salt Lake is a crystalline salt lake produced by plate activities.

The salt content of the lake water is as high as 94%, making it an important salt producing area in Qinghai.

Later it was opened as a tourist attraction because of its beautiful scenery.

#large grain salt from Chaka salt field

 

# Saltsculpture

 

#Chaka Salt Lake water is very shallow

 

#The dissolved salt cave on the surface of the salt lake. It is said that many people have fallen into it.

 

#The wind was relatively strong that day, so the legendary Sky Mirror was not very obvious.

#It’s still very happy to take photos and chat with the young ladies who are traveling with me

The entire scenic spot is quite large.

It only took three hours to get halfway through the tour.

According to Xiao Ma’s description,

It takes about one day and one night to visit the entire scenic spot.

Hmm... I still bother you.

It was already two o'clock in the afternoon when the visit ended.

Chaka Salt Lake is about 300 kilometers away from Xining city.

About five and a half hours' drive,

After discussion, the team members decided to return to Xining along the same route.

On the way, Xiao Ma learned that I majored in Korean.

So he affectionately called me "Oppa",

Then everyone in the car said "Oppa, Oppa..."

The tone is so artificial and greasy,

It made my back feel cold and goosebumps all over my body.

I wanted to jump out of the car and escape on the spot. 🙃

#On the way back, it rains from time to time

#金沙湾

 

Passing by Jinshawan, I took a souvenir here.

This was also a very popular travel destination in the past.

It was later stopped due to safety issues at entertainment facilities.

Hurrying slowly, we finally arrived in Xining before dark.

Our small team will also part ways,

Although we only had two days together,

But we will all remember each other and this journey deeply in our minds,

This is a very special experience.

Maybe after a few years,

We recall everything that happened in Qinghai in the spring of 2018,

There will still be some ripples in my heart.

Returned to the hotel where we started,

Say goodbye to Brother Ma and his teammates one by one.

They still call me "Oppa",

I smiled slightly, feeling warm in my heart. ❤️

Looking at the tail lights of the business car going away,

The feeling of hunger arises spontaneously.

I c, I am starving to death after not eating for a day... 🐷

#I’m scared to think about this amount of food...

-"Day4: Xining-Yantai"-

Today is the last day of our trip to Qinghai.

Plan to go sightseeing in Xining City,

Afterwards, we headed to the airport and took the flight back to Yan'an around 7pm.

Wake up naturally at nine o'clock in the morning,

The fatigue of the previous two days was gone.

When checking out, the landlady kindly asked the guests how they had rested.

Talking and laughing is really cordial.

The first stop is the central square.

It is located in the center of Xining, on the east bank of Huangshui River. It is one of the landmarks of Xining.

Xining’s financial, commercial and political center is concentrated here.

It is also a leisure and entertainment center for Xining citizens.

 

#xininglandmark

 

#There are still a lot of tourists visiting

 

While walking around, I heard someone discussing Nanshan Park.

I had a question mark on my face. Is it possible that Xining also has a Nanshan Park? !

People from Yantai expressed surprise and surprise.

A search on the map revealed that is not far away and can be reached within a short walk.

And you can overlook the panoramic view of Xining from the top of the mountain.

Make a decision immediately and head to Nanshan Park!

 

Although the distance is not far,

But it’s still hard to climb all the way uphill and with an altitude of nearly 3,000 meters.

I was panting so hard that I attracted passers-by’s glances.

I'm fine, I can do it... 💦

#The path up the mountain

#Only after seeing this plaque did I know that this mountain is called Phoenix Mountain

 

#西宁市 panorama

 

It was already one o'clock in the afternoon when we came down from the mountain.

I was hungry and ready to go down the mountain to Mojia Street to find something to eat.

 

Mojia Street is located on the south side of East Street in the city center.

It is a famous snack and specialty street in Xining.

Most of Qinghai specialty snacks can be found here.

However, I don’t recommend the specialty supermarket inside, as they all seem to be cheap.

 

#Mojiajie

 

#Yogurt, sheep intestine noodles, sweet glutinous rice (stuffed highland barley) milk tea

 

Leaving Mojia Street,

Wandering in the streets of Xining,

There's not much time left,

I want to use my last two hours to say goodbye to this city.

 

#Dongguan Mosque during the day

 

Thinking of my first arrival in Xining a few days ago,

Feeling strange and uneasy about everything around me,

Seeing the solemn expressions of the Hui people, they didn't dare to take another look.

And now, walking leisurely on the streets of Xining,

Only then did I realize that Xining is actually a very lovely city.

Huangshui from Qilian nourishes this land,

Just like fresh blood flowing in the bodies of Xining people,

They are optimistic, diligent and simple,

Have the pursuit and yearning for a better life;

The sunshine from the snowy plateau shines on the city,

What shines through is the excellent character of Xining people.

They are at home all over the world and are hospitable.

This makes the city extremely inclusive.

The meaning of travel is not where you have been;

It’s about how many people I met and how many stories happened.

This kind of trip is truly soulful and profound.

Qinghai is very good and will come back again.

 

#西宁太阳🌇