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There are few people living along the Qinghai-Tibet Highway. The goods and materials are both poor along the way. But most of the tourists would like to have a self-driving experience or riding to Tibet as the road condition along the Qinghai-Tibet Highway is relatively better than Sichuan-Tibet Highway. There are almost asphalt roads with few dangerous situations. Therefore the tourism along the way has been promoted quickly and developed well. The cost of the food and accommodation, etc, is higher than Sichuan-Tibet Highway.
The section of Qinghai-Tibet Highway, Xining to Lhasa is approximately 1917 kilometers long. The route is along the No. 109 National Road, Xining-Dulan-Golmud-Ando-Ngari-Dangxong-Yampachen-Lhasa. If you have enough time, you could depart from Xining, which takes you about 15-22 days on the way. If your time is budget, you could depart from Golmud, which takes you about 8-15 days.
It is approximately 133 kilometers far from Xining to Qinghai Lake Fishing Ground. There are lots of cars along the Qinghai-Tibet Highway. Please be careful. Huangyuan is located at the exit of Xining-Daotang River Highway. The road condition is fine. There are some up hills on the way. Tonight we will overnight nearby Qinghai Lake.
It is approximately 100 kilometers far from Qinghai Lake Fishing Ground to Heima River. The sunrise of Qinghai Lake is beautiful. It is unique experience to enjoy the sunrise scenery on the plateau. You may meet many tourists on the way. You'd better have lunch in Jiangxi Valley and then spend one night in Traffic Hostel in Heima River.
It is approximately 80 kilometers far from Heima River to Chaka. You'd better get up earlier if you would like to pick up the car today. The buses are irregularly operated between the Chaka to Golmud. The regular buses are operated from Chaka to Dulan. If you could reach Chaka at 5 pm around, you may have a chance to get the bus to Dulan. It saves 1 day.
After passing through the Rubber Mountain, you will get into Qaidam Basin and the sceneries on both sides changed to yellow. We finally enter to Dulan Desert.
It is approximately 130 kilometers far from Chaka to Dulan. Wongnaixiu Mountain is situated about 20 kilometers away from Chaka. The mountain is 3672 meters high. There is an upslope about 12 kilometers away from Wongnaixiu Mountain. The narrow mountain pass is situated on the upslope. There are some Tibetan tents available on both sides of the road. You may have lunch here and buy some stuff.
You can buy the train tickets to Golmud in Dulan.
Please enjoy reading Strategies of Riding a Bicycle along Qinghai-Tibet Highway – Challenge Route next. It introduces the route from the 5th day to the 11th day.
