About
Qinghai Province lies in western China, where the land rises high and the horizons open wide. It is a destination of high altitude and big, unhurried scenery, and for many visitors that is exactly the appeal.
The landscape
The province is known for its natural beauty, and its centrepiece is Qinghai Lake, which the facts describe as China's largest saltwater lake. Its shores and surrounding country make a good base for simply looking: wide water, open sky and the quiet that comes with distance.
Beyond the lake, the land opens into vast grasslands. These plains give the province much of its character, and travelling across them is part of the experience.
Culture
Tibetan culture thrives across the grasslands, and it is woven into daily life here. Visitors who take an interest in how people live in these high, open areas will find the region rewarding to explore.
What to keep in mind
- Altitude: the province is high, so it is worth allowing time to adjust and taking things at an easy pace.
- Distances: the landscape is vast, so plan routes with room to travel between places.
- Season: conditions on the grasslands and around the lake can vary, so check ahead before you set out.
Qinghai suits travellers who want space, natural scenery and a sense of a culture rooted in its land. If you are drawn to big skies, open grassland and a high, quiet lake, it is a place worth considering.