Private Day Trip to Qinghai Lake, Sun Moon Mountain & Kumbum Monastery from Xining

Tour Highlights
• Visit Qinghai Lake, the largest saline lake in China with a surface area of 4,317 km2 (1,667 sq miles)
• Hike the Sun Moon Mountain, the boundary of the Loess Plateau and Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau
• Worship Kumbum Monastery, birth place of Tsongkhapa who founded Gelukpa Sect (Yellow Hat) of Tibetan Buddhism

About This Tour
• Departure: Daily departing from Xining
• Tour Duration: Approximately 10 hours.
• Guide Languages: Chinese & English.
• Pickup Time: Between 07:00 and 10:00, choose a departure time most suitable for you.
• Pickup & Drop-off Place: Your accommodation in Xining
• Advice on Meals: Lunch is not included in this tour. We recommend having a substantial breakfast and bringing snacks in case you get hungry while sightseeing. If you'd like to experience authentic local cuisine for lunch, feel free to inform your guide, who will be happy to assist.

Tour Itinerary at a Glance
• Pick up from your accommodation in Xining
• Drive to Qinghai Lake (2 hours)
• Visit Qinghai Lake (1 hour)
• Drive to Sun Moon Mountain (45 minutes)
• Visit Sun Moon Mountain (30 minutes)
• Drive to Kumbum Monastery (90 minutes)
• Visit Kumbum Monastery (2 hours)
• Transfer back to your accommodation in Xining (30 minutes)

Price Remark
• Prices are not valid during National Day (Oct 1-7), Chinese New Year, and Labor Day (May 1-5).

Price Inclusions
• Professional English language speaking tour guide.
• Air-conditioned vehicle with an experienced driver.
• Admission tickets to sightseeing places.
• All government taxes.

Price Exclusions
• Hotel accommodation.
• Meals are excluded allowing you flexibility on menu.
• Your personal expenses.
• Travel insurance is not included. Please purchase before your trip to provide for any unforeseen circumstances.
• Gratuities to guide & driver. They are customary and would be of great encouragement and reward for quality service.

Additional Information
• Confirmation will be received at the time of booking.
• Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately.
• The itinerary is subject to change due to traffic conditions or bad weather.
• The itinerary is flexible; changes can be made upon written request from travelers.
• IMPORTANT: It is required by the government regulations that travelers must provide their name, gender, nationality, passport number and date of birth to their tour operator upon booking a tour. Failure to do so could result in being denied access or admittance to sites and attractions during sightseeing. When you book this tour, please complete all required fields at checkout. Please bring your passport with you on the tour.

Cancellation Policy
• Cancellations made 24 hours prior to the scheduled departure time will receive a 100% refund.
• Cancellations made within 24 hours of the tour's start time or after the tour begins are non-refundable.
• Cancellation request will be confirmed within 2-5 business days, with refunds issued within 14 working days.

Tailor This Tour to Meet Your Needs
• If you want to customize this itinerary, contact us via WhatsApp (+86 139 1083 0737) or email (info@GrandChinaTravel.com). We'll create a tailor-made tour package just for you.

Know Before You Go
• Keep your passport with you throughout the tour; it may be needed to buy entrance tickets.
• Pickup time, guide's name, and contact information will be confirmed via WhatsApp or email.
• Your guide will be at the meeting point, holding a GGC pickup sign with your name.
• Meals are not included; please feel free to ask your guide for recommendations.
• If you book an Airbnb, please note that door-to-door pickup and drop-off might not be provided.
• There's a 20-minute grace period for waiting. Failure to show up will result in tour cancellation & no refund.

Hotel Pickup, Transfer to Qinghai Lake
Your private guide will be holding GoGrandChina pick-up sign and waiting for you in your hotel lobby (or other appointed meeting place) at the appointed time. You will be transferred to Qinghai Lake (2 hours).

Visit Qinghai Lake
The name “Qinghai” literally means “Cyan Sea”. It is the largest lake in China and one of the largest saltwater lakes in the world. Located about 100 kilometres (62 mi) west of Xining, this colossal water-body has an average depth of between 19 to 21 metres (62-69 ft.) and covers a surface area of over 4,300 square kilometres (1,660 sq. mi). That’s over five times the size of New York City! Resting at an altitude of about 3,600 metres (11,800 ft.), there are many islands dotted across its surface, the most famous of which is Bird Island. Every year throughout April and May, many species of birds use the lake as a resting stop whilst they migrate across Asia. During peak season, over ten thousand birds can be seen perched on these small rocks, laying their eggs or chirruping their sweet songs. Considered as a sacred lake by Tibetans, Qinghai Lake is circumnavigated by Tibetan Buddhist pilgrims. It takes about 18 days on horseback and 23 days on foot to complete a full circuit according to local Tibetan Buddhists.

Lunch at Your Own Expense
Please feel free to ask your guide for suggestions and recommendations.

Drive to Sun Moon Mountain (45 minutes)

Visit Sun Moon Mountain (Riyue Mountain)
Sun Moon Mountain, known in Tibetan as Nyima Dawa La, is a mountain pass which separates Qinghai Province into a pastoral zone in the west and an agricultural zone in the east. Sun Moon Mountain was made famous due to its association with the Han-Chinese Princess Wencheng when she was en route to marry Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century. She is said to have looked in a magic mirror here with a sun-moon design which was supposed to show her family in Chang'an (today's Xian, capital city of Tang dynasty China). She only saw her own reflection and she smashed the mirror in despair. The Daotang River which, unusually in this region, flows east to west is said to have originated from the tears of the princess. Two small new concrete temples have been built on the pass with modern murals showing the royal couple and scenes of nomadic life.

Drive to Kumbum Monastery (90 minutes)

Visit Kumbum Monastery
Kumbum Monastery, also called Ta'er Temple in Chinese, is one of the great monasteries of the Gelugpa (Yellow Hat) sect of Tibetan Buddhism located 27km from Xining in the historical Tibetan region of Amdo. It was founded in 1583 on hallowed ground – the birthplace of Tsongkhapa who was the founder of the sect. It’s of enormous historical significance, and hundreds of monks still live here. Nine temples are open, each with its own characteristics. The most important is the Grand Hall of Golden Tiles, where an 11m-high chörten (Tibetan stupa) marks the spot of Tsongkhapa’s birth. You’ll see pilgrims walking circuits of the building and prostrating outside the entrance. Also worth seeking out is the Yak Butter Scripture Temple, which houses sculptures of human figures, animals and landscapes carved out of yak butter. The hall is incredibly ornate, with an interior emblazoned with colour. The monastery’s greatest claims to fame are its Three Treasures: yak butter sculptures, embroidered silk brocade, and murals. Yak butter sculptures are prepared at least three months in advance by resident monks for the grand butter sculpture show on the night of January 15th according to the Chinese lunar calendar. This art dates back over 1,300 years and involves a phenomenal degree of discipline. To prevent the butter from melting as they sculpt it, they must work in sub-zero temperatures and constantly dip their hands in freezing cold water.

Transfer Back to Your Hotel
Your guide and driver will transfer you back to your hotel (90 minutes).