2 days for Kumbun monastery, Qinghai Lake , Chaka Lake

Question

We have effectively only 2 full days to cover Kumbun monastery, Qinghai Lake and Chaka Lake in Sep.. Our original plan is to hire a private driver for 2 days, visit the 3 places , including 1 nite stay at the lake area before returning to Xining for train transfer to Zhangye the next day. However, looking at the distance/ travelling time, it seems a bit ambitious to cover all 3 places in 2 days. Are we better off dropping 1 place , maybe Chaka Lake as that is the furthest, and spending more time at Qinghai Lake? Also is there a better way of transferring to Zhangye from Qinghai Lake instead of back tracking to Xining? Any suggestion is appreciated.

Answer

Given that you only have 2 full days in Qinghai, trying to cover Kumbun Monastery, Qinghai Lake, and Chaka Lake is indeed very ambitious. The distances and travel times are significant: Xining to Kumbun Monastery is around 2-3 hours one way, Xining to Qinghai Lake is about 3-4 hours, and Chaka Salt Lake is roughly 4-5 hours from Xining. Adding in return trips and sightseeing time makes it very tight to fit all three destinations comfortably.

Considering this, it would be more realistic to prioritize your experience at the lakes, as these are scenic highlights of Qinghai and allow for overnight stays nearby. Kumbun Monastery is culturally interesting but can be shorter in visit time compared to the time required to travel there.

Option 1: Drop Chaka Lake, focus on Kumbun Monastery and Qinghai Lake. Spend one night near Qinghai Lake to enjoy sunset and sunrise, then return to Xining for your train to Zhangye. This reduces long driving hours and allows more relaxed sightseeing.
Option 2: Drop Kumbun Monastery, focus on Qinghai Lake and Chaka Lake. You can spend a night near Qinghai Lake and drive to Chaka Lake the next day, then return to Xining for your onward train. This maximizes scenic lake experiences.
Option 3: Attempt all three places with a very early start and long driving hours, but expect rushed visits and limited time at each spot. Only recommended if you prioritize ticking off all locations over quality time.

Regarding your question about transferring to Zhangye without backtracking to Xining, the options are limited:

There is no direct public transport from Qinghai Lake to Zhangye. Most travelers return to Xining and take the high-speed train to Zhangye, which is the most convenient and reliable option.
If you hire a private driver, you could consider asking them to drive directly from Qinghai Lake to Zhangye. The drive takes approximately 5-6 hours depending on the exact location near the lake and road conditions. This avoids returning to Xining but requires a longer day on the road.

In summary, for a 2-day trip, it is advisable to focus on two destinations rather than three to enjoy the experience without exhausting travel. Qinghai Lake is a must-see, so plan to stay nearby overnight. Either pair it with Kumbun Monastery or Chaka Lake, depending on whether you prefer cultural or scenic highlights. For transferring to Zhangye, either return to Xining for the train or negotiate a direct private car transfer to save time.

2 days for Kumbun monastery, Qinghai Lake , Chaka Lake

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