Traverse the vast grasslands and deserts that were once part of the old Silk Road, enjoy the spectacular Tibetan plateau, pass through a myriad of snow-capped mountain ranges and glide along the rim of the pristine, mineral-rich Cuona and Qinghai Lakes.
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Beijing
Site of the 2008 summer Olympics, Beijing is the political, cultural and historical epicenter of China. Home to national treasures such as the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace, this vibrant city boasts cutting edge architecture, traditional courtyard homes, placid lakes and world class dining and entertainment.
Xining
Steeped in history, Xining was one of the best known cities on the ancient Silk Road. It is home to the 450 year old Ta'er Monastery set amid ancient hillside temples on the outskirts of Xining. Known as Kumbun in Tibetan, Ta'er Monastery blends Han and Tibetan architecture and stands out for its distinctive ethnic style and Buddhist sculptures which are considered unique works of art.
Qinghai Lake
China's largest inland salt-water lake sits 3,200 meters above sea level, and is a site of wild, colorful, beauty. In this natural landscape, golden yellows of oil seed rape fields and majestic green mountains are the back drop to the glacial blue waters of this sacred salt lake. It is a destination for sportsmen, nature lovers and Tibetan pilgrims alike.
Delingha
Delingha is home to over 19 nationalities who hold a variety of cultural festivals and traditional sporting events throughout the year. Just outside the city, you can discover the beautiful Keluke and Tuosu Lakes, also known as the twin lakes, fringed by a bountiful bed of green reeds amid an otherwise desolate landscape.
Golmud
The third biggest city on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Golmud is isolated by the Kunlun Mountains, vast grasslands and Chaerhan Lake. Chaerhan Lake is a vision of rolling green water and salt castles, and it was formed during the intense geological activity that gave rise to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
Tibetan Plateau
Bordered by the Kunlun Range, the Qilian Range and the Gobi Desert, the 4,500 kilometer high Tibetan Plateau is popularly known as 'the roof of the world'. Traversing this vast plateau, which ranks among the most breathtaking high-altitude regions in the world, you’ll cross wild grasslands, glide around the edges of pristine lakes and be surrounded by snow-capped peaks.
Yuzhu Mountain
Rising majestically from the Tibetan plateau Yuzhu Mountain is the centerpiece of the Kunlun range. This snow-capped jewel with year-round glacial formations seemingly punctures the cloudless blue sky. To the southwest you can observe Kekexili, an area of 100 rivers reputed as the 'Kingdom of Animals' where endangered Tibetan antelope, yaks and other rare wildlife are known to roam.
Tangula Pass
The summit on the Qinghai-Tibet railway is the highest train station on earth. From here you can take in sweeping views of the Tangula mountain range which averages 6,000 meters, as well as awe-inspiring glacial mountains that surround local nomads herding their yak over vast plains.
Cuona Lake
At 4,594 meters, this is the highest freshwater lake in the world. Regarded as sacred by the Tibetans, it is called “Heavenly Lake”, and is a destination for pilgrims who come to walk its perimeter. Endlessly crystal clear, the lake supports wild life that can be found in the nearby Qiangtang Nature Reserve. During winter, the frozen waters refract the sunlight in a dazzling kaleidoscope, while herds of Tibetan yak graze on the lakeshore.
