How to get to Qinghai Lake from Zhangye
As the largest inland saltwater lake in China, Qinghai Lake attracts a large number of tourists every year. There are a variety of transportation options to choose from from Zhangye to Qinghai Lake. This article will give you a detailed introduction to the route, transportation methods, time and cost from Zhangye to Qinghai Lake, helping you plan a perfect trip.
1. Comparison of transportation modes

From Zhangye to Qinghai Lake, you can mainly reach it by self-driving, long-distance bus and train + bus combination. The following is a detailed comparison of each method:
| Transportation | route | Time consuming | Cost (estimate) | Advantages and Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Self drive | Zhangye→G227 National Highway→Xining→G109 National Highway→Qinghai Lake | About 6-7 hours | Gas fee + toll is about 500 yuan | Free and flexible, you can stay along the way; but you need to pay attention to plateau driving safety |
| long distance bus | Zhangye Bus Station→Xining Bus Station→Qinghai Lake Scenic Area Bus | About 8-9 hours | Bus ticket 150 yuan + scenic spot bus 50 yuan | Economical and affordable; but requires transfer and takes a long time |
| Train+Bus | Zhangye Station→Xining Station→Qinghai Lake Scenic Area Bus | About 7-8 hours | Train ticket 100 yuan + bus 50 yuan | High level of comfort; but tickets need to be purchased in advance |
2. Detailed route description
1. Self-driving route
Departing from Zhangye, drive south along the G227 National Highway, passing through Minle and Qilian, and finally arrive in Xining. After departing from Xining, drive west along the G109 National Highway and you will reach the Qinghai Lake Scenic Area in about 2 hours. The whole journey is about 400 kilometers, and the road conditions are good, but you need to pay attention to the weather changes in the plateau area.
2. Long-distance bus routes
Take a bus from Zhangye Bus Station to Xining Bus Station, the journey takes about 5 hours. After arriving in Xining, transfer to the tourist bus to Qinghai Lake Scenic Area, which takes about 2 hours. It is recommended to check the flight time in advance to avoid delaying the trip.
3. Train + bus route
Take the train from Zhangye Station to Xining Station, which takes about 4 hours. After arriving in Xining, you can take a tourist bus to Qinghai Lake near the train station, which takes about 2 hours. There are many trains, which is suitable for tourists with flexible time.
3. Itinerary suggestions
1.Best time to travel: June to September is the best tourist season in Qinghai Lake, with pleasant weather and rapeseed flowers in full bloom.
2.Prevention of altitude sickness: Qinghai Lake is about 3,200 meters above sea level. It is recommended to prepare anti-altitude reaction drugs in advance and avoid strenuous exercise.
3.Accommodation recommendations: There are many accommodation spots around Qinghai Lake, such as Heimahe Township, Erlangjian Scenic Area, etc. It is recommended to book in advance.
4. Hot Topics and Hot Content
Among the hot topics on the Internet recently, the ecological protection and tourism development of Qinghai Lake have become the focus of attention. The following is the hot content in the past 10 days:
| hot topics | Main content | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Qinghai Lake Ecological Protection | The water level of Qinghai Lake continues to rise and the ecological environment improves | Xinhua News Agency |
| New travel regulations | Qinghai Lake Scenic Spot introduces flow restriction measures to protect fragile ecology | CCTV News |
| Self-driving travel recommendations | The self-driving route from Zhangye to Qinghai Lake was selected as one of the "Top Ten Most Beautiful Roads in China" | travel magazine |
5. Summary
The journey from Zhangye to Qinghai Lake is full of natural scenery and cultural experiences. Whether you choose self-driving, bus or train + bus combination, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way. I hope the detailed guide in this article can help you plan your trip smoothly and enjoy an unforgettable trip to Qinghai Lake!
check the details
check the details