Gangca

Things to do in Gangca

Search attractions or local attractions & tours
Search

Explore top experiences

Top 10 attractions in Gangca

View all Attractions
Qinghai Lake
No. 10 of Best Things to Do in Gansu-Qinghai Area

Qinghai Lake

8
4.5/5
7.6k reviews
Qinghai Lake is called "Qinghai Lake" in Tibetan (meaning "blue sea"). Located in the northeastern part of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, within Qinghai Province, it is formed byQilian MountainsDatong Mountain,Riyue Mountain and South Qinghai MountainFormed by fault subsidence, it is one of China's largest inland lakes and the origin of Qinghai Province's name. The lake covers a vast area, with a circumference of approx. 360 km. Its waters are boundless, azure, and ethereal. Surrounded by mountains, the lakeshore blends into expansive grasslands. Qinghai Lake boasts spectacular views and numerous attractions, making it a key destination in Qinghai. Natural environment: Qinghai Lake features a plateau continental climate with abundant sunlight and intense radiation. Winters are cold, summers are cool, warm seasons are brief, and cold seasons are prolonged. Spring brings frequent strong winds and sandstorms. Rainfall is scarce, concentrated in the warm season, with distinct wet and dry periods. This climate creates unique beauty in each season. The lake's color shifts with weather and light, sometimes displaying multiple hues in a single day. Scenery varies by season, with the ideal visiting period from April to August. July and August are particularly stunning, as vast rapeseed fields bloom along the shore, their golden yellow contrasting beautifully with the endless blue waters. In addition, when Qinghai Lake is frozen for thousands of miles in winter, you can also experience a different kind of natural grandeur. Historical legend: It is said that over 1,000 years ago, the Tang Dynasty and Tibet formed a marriage alliance, with Princess Wencheng marrying the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo. Before her departure, the Tang emperor gave her a sun-moon treasure mirror that could reflect images of her hometown. On the journey, the princess missed her hometown and took out the mirror, indeed seeing the long-lost Chang'an. Tears welled up in her eyes. However, she suddenly remembered her mission and resolutely threw the mirror away. Unexpectedly, when it hit the ground, a golden light flashed, and it transformed into Qinghai Lake. Attraction introduction: Some attractions have been developed around Qinghai Lake. South of the lake is the main attraction, Qinghai Lake Erlangjian scenic area, where you can take a boat tour. East of the lake lies the famousRiyue Mountain and Daotang Riveretc.; to the north there areJinyintan and the atomic cityand other attractions. In addition, when touring around Qinghai Lake, nearby attractions such as those west of the lake are usually included.Chaka Salt Lake, Hubei'sRapeseed flowers in MenyuanEtc. Ways to explore: You can visit just one side of Qinghai Lake or take a circular tour around it. Most travelers choose the south side for a simple lake view, where the grassland is lush and the scenery is stunning. For a circular tour, you can take a private charter from Xining and travel clockwise, which is also the direction local Tibetans follow for their lake pilgrimage.Gonghe · 88.7km from Gangca
Shengquan Bay Scenic Area of Qinghai Lake
No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Qinghai Lake

Shengquan Bay Scenic Area of Qinghai Lake

6.2
4.6/5
286 reviews
Shengquan Bay Scenic Area of Qinghai Lake, located on the northern shore of Qinghai Lake, is a masterpiece of geological formation and glacial activity. With its magnificent and rugged cliffs reaching vertical heights of dozens of meters, it creates a striking contrast against the azure waters of Qinghai Lake, offering a unique landscape. As one of the core attractions of Qinghai Lake, Holy Spring Bay not only boasts captivating natural scenery but also serves as a vital habitat for diverse wildlife, holding significant ecological value. Nearby, visitors can explore rich historical and cultural relics, providing a multifaceted travel experience.Gangca · 31.2km from downtown
Qinghai Lake Fairy Bay
No. 3 of Best Things to Do in Qinghai Lake

Qinghai Lake Fairy Bay

5.1
4.2/5
190 reviews
The Fairy Bay Attraction of ​​Qinghai Lake is located on the north bank of Qinghai Lake. It integrates plateau wetlands, lake and mountain scenery, sea sacrifice ceremony, Tibetan customs and myths and legends. Fairy Bay Attraction is the hometown of the national second-class protected animal, the swan, where thousands of swans live in autumn and winter. Li Shangyin, a poet in the Tang Dynasty, once wrote a poem: "The Queen Mother of the Jade Pool opens her window, and the song of the yellow bamboo moves the earth with sorrow." This poem tells us that the Queen Mother of the West has been unable to wait for the arrival of her lover, and now only the incarnations of the swan fairies fly here every year, adding a bit of spirituality to Qinghai Lake in winter. The name of Fairy Bay also comes from this. From June to October every year, Fairy Bay Wetland blooms flowers of different colors in different seasons, forming a sea of flowers, like a carpet woven by nature.Gangca · 14.5km from downtown
Qinghai Lake - Bird Island Scenic Area (Not open to the public)

Qinghai Lake - Bird Island Scenic Area (Not open to the public)

3.5
4.7/5
535 reviews
Bird Island of Qinghai Lake is west of Qinghai Lake around Huanhuxi Road. It consists of two islands. The large one is called Haixipi and the small one is called Haixishan. They are the key scenic spots for viewing Qinghai Lake. Haixipi Island is a large, densely planted island with many cormorant nests on the eastern rock wall, like a castle of bird nests. Haixishan is full of eggs during the spawning season, so it is also known as Egg Island.Gangca · 45.8km from downtown
Quanji Township Guanyutai

Quanji Township Guanyutai

3.1
4.8/5
14 reviews
Gangca · 22.4km from downtown
Huangyu Homeland

Huangyu Homeland

3.1
3.7/5
3 reviews
The Shaliu River Huangyu Home Scenic Area in Gangcha County was rated as a national 4A-level scenic spot in December 2017. It is also the core support for Gangcha County to successfully create a national full-region tourism demonstration area in 2020. From June to July every year, it is the time when the Huang fish in Qinghai Lake swim upstream to fertilize and ovulate. When thousands of yellow fish begin to swim and pass through the shallows, the dorsal fins of the yellow fish will emerge from the water. From a distance, it looks like a magnificent scene of thousands of sails competing. When these yellow fish find a suitable place and time to spawn, the place where they spawn will form a unique landscape of "half river with clear water and half river with fish" in the dozens of miles of river.Gangca · 1.3km from downtown
Buha River

Buha River

3
The Buha River originates from the Gang'erxueheli Ice Peak in the Shule Nanshan, features a significant elevation drop, rapid currents, and a meandering riverbed with riverbanks covered in shrubs, and serves as the primary water source flowing into Qinghai Lake.Gangca · 48.2km from downtown
Hargai Town Przewalski's Gazelle Science Education Base

Hargai Town Przewalski's Gazelle Science Education Base

2.8
5.0/5
1 reviews
Go to the science museum to learn about Przewalski's gazelle; climb the observation tower to observe the Przewalski's gazelle; when night falls, you can also stay in a starry room... There is an "Antelope Town" in Gangcha County, Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture on the north shore of Qinghai Lake ” - Hargai. There is a Przewalski's gazelle science education base in the town, which is a window for tourists to learn about Przewalski's gazelle.Gangca · 28.4km from downtown
Cangyang Jiacuo Cultural Square

Cangyang Jiacuo Cultural Square

2.6
4.6/5
8 reviews
Cangyang Jiacuo Cultural Square was built to commemorate the renowned poet Cangyang Jiacuo, and the stone tablets in the square recount his remarkable life and many of his well-known love poems.Gangca · 1.1km from downtown
Zhangye Colorful Danxia Scenic Spot
No. 7 of Best Things to Do in Northwestern District of China

Zhangye Colorful Danxia Scenic Spot

8.7
4.7/5
36.2k reviews
Zhangye Colorful Danxia Scenic Spot is located in Linze and Sunan counties at the northern foot of Qilian Mountain. The attraction is 40 km east of Zhangye city and 20 km north of Linze county. Covering a total area of 50 sq km with 4 sq km accessible to visitors, it's currently recognized as a UNESCO Global Geopark and a national 5A-level tourist attraction. The attraction features seven viewing spots, including Colorful Cloud Sea, Colorful Fairyland, Colorful Splendor, Colorful Rainbow Glow, Crouching Tiger Gorge, Colorful Ao River, and Wanxiang Earth Forest Valley, along with over 30 scenic views such as Dragon Playing with Fire (colorful hills), Monkey Gazing at the Sea, Turtle Asking the Sky, Golden Toad Seeking the Way, Giant Scallop, Colorful Screen, Sleeping Beauty, and Crouching Tiger. It is a highly integrated area of colorful hills and Danxia landforms. The colorful hills amaze visitors with their vibrant hues, intricate layered patterns, majestic scale, and breathtaking vistas. The Danxia landform area of Wanxiang Earth Forest Valley features towering peaks resembling a forest, with a harmonious yet dramatic arrangement of sparse and dense formations. These extraordinary shapes, carved by nature's artistry, combine grandeur, peril, wonder, elegance, and serenity in one spectacular landscape. After being promoted to a national 5A-level attraction and global geopark, Zhangye Colorful Danxia Scenic Spot aims to become an international travel destination. By deeply exploring and optimizing regional cultural resources, the scenic spot will leverage its unique tourism assets and cultural heritage to transform into a western China-based international resort with scientific research appeal. Centered around colorful hills and Danxia landforms, it highlights the aesthetic and scientific value of geological resources while prioritizing their protection and development. The composite attraction primarily offers geological sightseeing and recreation, complemented by cultural experiences, folk customs, and leisure vacations.China · Zhangye

Experiences you can't miss in Gangca

Featured Day tours in Gangca

View all Day tours
Private group tour | Qinghai Lake + Chaka Salt Lake + Riyue Mountain day trip | Charted transfer/entrance fees included
󱌍
3.5/5
· 2 reviews· 26 booked
Duration: 11 hrs
English
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
Book now for tomorrow
FromDKK 859.33
Qinghai Lake Chartered tour (Departing from Xining)
󱌍
5.0/5
· 2 reviews
Duration: 3 hrs
English
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
Book now for tomorrow
9% off
Limited-time sale
FromDKK 313.35DKK 348.16
One-day tour from Xining to Qinghai Lake and Chaka Salt Lake: Encounter the sapphire of the plateau, stroll on the sky mirror
󱌍
FromDKK 377.34
Depart from Xining: Qinghai Lake Day Tour with Private Car & Tickets Included [Flexible Departure Time!]
󱌍
FromDKK 681.5
One-day tour from Xining to Qinghai Lake and Chaka Salt Lake: Azure waves of Qinghai Lake, the sky mirror of Chaka
󱌍
Duration: 13.5 hrs
English
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
Book now for tomorrow
FromDKK 445.95
Xining to Chaka · Qinghai Lake salt lake private 1-day tour | Qinghai Lake · Xiangpi Mountain · Sky mirror
󱌍
FromDKK 1,816.95

Free things to do in Gangca

What travellers say about Gangca

user-avatar
leowxp22 October 2026
4.0
A trip to Qinghai will definitely include Qinghai Lake in the itinerary. The lake is vast, with a loop of over 300 kilometers. There's an annual cycling race around the lake, so the ecological environment and water quality are well-preserved. The officially developed area is Erlangjian, where there are many accommodations. The cliffs and Fairy Bay are on the opposite side. Heimahe is famous for its sunrise views. While passing by, I saw many new guesthouses still under construction; the accommodations there were previously quite basic. Due to weather conditions, our original itinerary for the lake loop was changed. We'll save the cliffs for another time. It's relatively close to Xining. The weather improved slightly when we arrived at Erlangjian. I took a peek at the lake from the viewing platform.

Qinghai Lake

user-avatar
Anonymous user22 August 2026
5.0
The cliff should be a fantastic attraction. We went on a sunny day, and the lake water was a vibrant blue. The sunlight reflecting off it created different colors depending on the direction from which it shone. Later, some clouds appeared, so we quickly left. However, as we walked, we noticed sunlight shining through the clouds, creating a Tyndall effect that actually made the lake even more beautiful – definitely worth the trip!

Shengquan Bay Scenic Area of Qinghai Lake

user-avatar
M47***6621 May 2026
5.0
The scenic area wasn't crowded. It's a quick drive from Gangcha County after exiting the highway. The area isn't large, but the infrastructure is good, and there are shuttle buses. The lake is fantastic, the altar for worshipping the sea is large, and the grasslands are expansive, suitable for camping. The stream flowing into the lake offers the spectacular sight of naked carp migrating. Charging stations are very convenient.

Qinghai Lake Fairy Bay

user-avatar
风雨大漠客196924 June 2025
4.0
This is a bird's paradise and a paradise on earth. It is located on the west side of the Qinghai Lake Ring Road in the northwest corner of Qinghai Lake, in the delta where the Buha River flows into the sea, and belongs to Gangcha County, Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. It consists of two islands, one large and one small. It is said that there are 227 species of birds in Qinghai Lake. There are hundreds of thousands of them. Generally, April to June is the best viewing period. But who has ever thought about the feelings of the fish: Why do I give birth to so many birds? You really have nothing to do with birds!

Qinghai Lake - Bird Island Scenic Area (Not open to the public)

user-avatar
976432819530 January 2018
5.0
It is a very unique scenic spot, but it is not well known. When I went there last year, there was no entrance fee. I guess they will have to charge it next year or the year after next. It is just on the edge of Gangcha County, very close to the main road.

Quanji Township Guanyutai

user-avatar
牛奶海7 July 2021
4.0
The Huangyu Homeland Former Resident Experience Area is located next to the Fancheng Tibetan City Linka on South Street, Gangcha County, Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province. It is a Huangyu migration channel that has been renovated by the state. It is like a large park and is quite fun.

Huangyu Homeland

user-avatar
_We***9918 June 2024
5.0
Learn about Przewalski's gazelle. Get to know Przewalski's gazelle.

Hargai Town Przewalski's Gazelle Science Education Base

user-avatar
wsran2 July 2021
5.0
Going around Qinghai Lake, Gangcha should be a relatively large county. Cangyang Gyatso is located in the east of Gangcha County. It seems that the name of this legendary poet is just quoted. It is not clear whether he has any other connection with this place.

Cangyang Jiacuo Cultural Square

user-avatar
M29***9626 October 2026
5.0
The Rainbow Mountains, like a palette of colors on earth, are a breathtaking masterpiece of nature, with their interwoven layers shimmering with light and color. The changing hues under the light of dawn and dusk reveal a gentle beauty amidst the grandeur. This trip was truly worthwhile and I'd love to come back again.

Zhangye Colorful Danxia Scenic Spot

Popular cities near Gangca

Frequently asked questions

What are the recommended tours and excursions in Gangca?

When choosing a tour, start with how much time you have and the kind of experience you're looking for. Trending options right now include Private group tour | Qinghai Lake + Chaka Salt Lake + Riyue Mountain day trip | Charted transfer/entrance fees included, Qinghai Lake Chartered tour (Departing from Xining), and One-day tour from Xining to Qinghai Lake and Chaka Salt Lake: Encounter the sapphire of the plateau, stroll on the sky mirror. Check the real-time availability and itinerary before you book.

As of 28 October 2026, the reference price for day tours and activities in Gangca is around DKK 313.35 – DKK 3,659.05. Rates vary by duration, group size, transport, tickets, meals, and any special admission requirements. Before you book, please confirm the billing currency and whether the price is quoted per person or per group.

Get help anytime, anywhere within 30 secondsContact customer support

Change and cancellation policies vary by attractions and tours. Please check the product details page for more information.

Ticket prices may vary between weekdays and weekends, as well as during peak and off-peak seasons. When booking with Trip.com, you can also use Trip Coins to get extra savings. For more tips on booking discounted tickets, please visit Trip.com for the latest information.