Road condition: paved, light traffic, a dozen hills, each with a gentle gradient
Distance: 76 kilometers
Elevation: 3100一3200 m
After an early breakfast, we will verify our equipment, then strike off westward towards Qinghai Lake, accompanied by our support vehicle. The morning's scenery will be that of endless grasslands, punctuated here and there by evidence of an ever-encroaching desert – areas of dry, scruffy terrain dotted with occasional sand dunes. We will choose a scenic place to eat our packed lunches, carried by the support vehicle. Later, in the afternoon, and after several uphill and downhill sections, we will suddenly see the Lake, shining on the western horizon like a ribbon of shimmering silk! On our descent, the landscape will be totally different. As we start to cycle towards the lush sea of grass, with its interwoven patches of summer flowers, we can imagine ourselves cycling out onto a living, vibrant painting, created by Nature herself. Still, distances are deceiving at this altitude, and only after another 20km of riding will we actually arrive at the end-point of our long day – the Qinghai Lake fishing base. Our 3-star hotel is close to the lake and our much-anticipated dinner of delicious local fish, taken fresh from the cold salt water, will be second to none!
Overnight in Qinghai Lake hotel.

Road condition: paved; heavy traffic, but flat for the first 25km; several small uphill sections for the remainder
Distance: 85 kilometers
Time: 6-7 hrs
Elevation: 3200一3300 m
Early risers will be able to see the sun start to illuminate one of the most beautiful landscapes in western China. Qinghai Lake is set on a high plateau, with the Tibetan mountains in the distance. On their first morning, visitors like to wander along the shore before breakfast, enthralled by the high-altitude tranquility of the lake itself, which stretches endlessly to the horizon. After a nourishing breakfast, we will start our clockwise ride around Qinghai Lake. Our morning's ride will first follow the fairly-busy national road, but even so, in June and July, the wild rapeseed flowers are in bloom, blanketing the landscape with shades of yellow and gold. There is little civilization around most of the lake, so we will stop in a quiet spot along the way to enjoy our picnic lunch and to allow us to recharge our energy with toast, ham，fruits and chocolate. In the afternoon, our path will lead us away from the traffic, onto a quiet road alongside the lake. We will cycle in an area of peaceful tranquility until we reach our stay for the night, a rustic, but comfortable, Tent Hostel, situated just by the lake.
Overnight Tent Hostel (public toilet) or similar.

Road condition: paved, light traffic, flat or downhill for the most of the time
Distance: 72km
Elevation: 3200一3300 m
Time: 6hrs
This is the day for photographers! And at the end of the day, when we reach the western end of the lake, we will be tempted to simply stay and take pictures! We will leave our tented camp in the morning, and as we cycle along in the soft morning light, the pastoral scene will include un-tethered cows, sheep, horses, and even yaks, nonchalantly munching on clumps of ripe, lush grass. White yurts, similar to those seen in Inner Mongolia, typically dot the landscape. Our morning will be punctuated by several "photo stops", each one registering an unforgettable scene in our own memory, as well as in the camera's. (Astute photographers may catch an occasional anachronism – shaggy black yaks surrounding a white yurt with a satellite dish perched on the roof.) We will make a small detour away from the water to enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in the small village of Shinaigai, after which we'll head back to the lakeshore to see one of the highlights of the trip – Bird Island! It's been said that if Qinghai Lake were the crown of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, then Bird Island is the jewel in the crown! Although the name is singular, there are actually 2 islands, and even these two can barely hold the birds that return to nest, year after year. Qinghai Lake is located at the crossroads of several bird migration routes across Asia. In April of each year, as the ice melts across the Qinghai-Tibet plateau, thousands of birds from southern China, Myanmar, Bangladesh, and the Indian subcontinent arrive to lay and hatch their eggs. Over 20 species have been noted, including Bar-headed Geese, Ruddy Shelducks, Brown-headed Gulls, cormorants, egrets, and sandpipers. Stately Griffon Vultures glide overhead, minivets frequent the scrubby bushes, and Mongolian Larks sing from the grasses. Even the rare Black-necked Crane and an occasional swan have been seen! The flat ground, mild temperature, proximity to abundant fish, and safety from predators support thousands of nests (and eggs), right on the ground! In June and July, as the young begin to fly, the sky is black with flying birds. Bird Island is one of the wonders of the Tibetan plateau, a photographer's challenge, but an ornithologist's delight. This special site, with so many birds, so close, and normally only associated with remote mountain cliffs, attracts many visitors during the summer months.
Overnight in Bird Island Hotel or similar.

Road condition: paved; heavy traffic for the most of the day; first section is 10km, varying between flat and uphill; the rest of the road is flat and/or downhill
Distance: 65 km
Elevation: 3300一3100 m
Time: 5-6hrs
After breakfast, we will make an unhurried walk from our hotel to visit the Shatuo lamasery, home to the Red Hat branch of Tibetan Buddhism. Its first building was constructed in 1665, but there have been several additions. The buildings now include a 300-square-meter prayer hall,18 rooms and dorms for monks, and a mansion for the living Buddha. After our visit (about 1 hours), we will start our cycling tour again along the west bank of the lake for another 25km, then we will ride on the National road again and bike to Quanji, where we will have lunch and also visit the local market to buy fruit. In the afternoon, ride to Gangcha, where we will relax a bit and take a shower before wandering around this little Tibetan town with its various ethnic groups. After supper, we will be able to relax and enjoy an amazing sunset over the seemingly-endless lake.
Overnight in a local hostel in Gangcha.

Road condition: paved, several uphill and downhill sections
Distance: 87 km
Elevation: 3300一3100 m
Time: 6-7 hrs
This morning we will be up before dawn to see a bit of Gangcha itself, with its traditional yurts, beautiful prayer flags, and mysterious praying stones. Then we will make an early start on our bikes, leaving Qinghai Lake behind us, as we head back toward Xihai. On the way, we will encounter several small villages where we will see the authentic buildings and day-to-day activities of the local people. After a picnic lunch, we will again pass through the most beautiful natural grazing grounds outside of Xihan before our arrival in the late afternoon. That night we will enjoy a feast in a local restaurant to celebrate our great accomplishment of doing a "race" around Qinghai Lake!
Overnight in 4-star hotel.

After a relaxing morning, we will drive back to Xining, where we will transfer to the airport to catch our outbound plane.
The end of our amazing highland cycling tour.