[2025 Gonghe Attraction] Travel Guide for Ga'rila Temple (Updated Jun)

Amidst the vast scenery of Qinghai Lake lies a breathtaking hidden gem—Gari Monastery. When the fluttering prayer flags carry the salty lake breeze to your face, you instantly understand: some landscapes are worth the tears and the long, bumpy journey to reach them. Gari, meaning "sacred land where white eagles perch" in Tibetan, is a 300-year-old Nyingma sect monastery quietly standing on the edge of a cliff, overlooking the shimmering waters of Qinghai Lake. Herders ride their horses from afar, tethering them beneath the prayer flag poles before bowing devoutly, filling this land with sacredness and tranquility. Practical Information: - Parking: Free parking is available outside the monastery, making it convenient and hassle-free. - Road Conditions: The entire route is paved, but it's a single lane, so extra caution is needed when passing other vehicles. - Admission: Currently free, allowing you to fully immerse in this pure beauty. If you yearn for a serene escape from the hustle and bustle and crave an embrace with stunning scenery, Gari Monastery will not disappoint!

Many moms dream of taking their kids to Qinghai Lake to see herds of cattle and sheep and witness the sunrise over the lake. But traveling to the plateau, especially with little ones, requires some advance preparation. Last time, we rushed into the trip and were "severely taught a lesson" by the high altitude. Here’s my tearful guide to avoiding pitfalls—every tip is a hard-earned lesson. A must-read for moms before the trip! 💔 Hard Lesson #1: Altitude Sickness Targets "Carefree" Moms! Think your kid has endless energy? Wrong! Qinghai Lake sits at 3,200+ meters above sea level, where the air is thinner. Don’t underestimate this altitude—my little one turned pale and complained of a headache as soon as we got out of the car. This scared me to death! 😭 ✅ Lifesaving Tips: ⏳ Acclimate first! Strongly recommend spending a night in Xining (about 2,200 meters) to let your child adjust before heading straight to the lake. My friend wisely arrived in Xining a day early with her kid. Due to work, I had to arrive and leave on the same day, which led to a series of headaches—literally. 💊 Pack a mini first-aid kit! Portable oxygen cans (might not be needed, but you’ll panic without them) and children’s ibuprofen suspension for fever or pain. Don’t forget lip balm! 👀 Monitor your child closely! If they’re unusually drowsy, vomiting, or breathing rapidly, head back to Xining immediately. Safety first! 💔 Hard Lesson #2: Temperature Swings + Harsh Sun = Kid’s "Torture"! Freezing at sunrise, peeling by noon! The weather at Qinghai Lake is unpredictable—a chilly breeze can leave your kid sniffling... ✅ Dressing Guide: 🧥 Layer like an onion! T-shirt + fleece + windbreaker, with a lightweight down jacket in the bag. ☀️ Sunscreen trio! High-SPF kids’ sunscreen (reapply every 2 hours!), wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses 🕶️ (the sunlight seems gentle, but the UV rays are brutal). 🌧 Carry a compact umbrella! The plateau weather changes fast. A small umbrella shields against rain and sun—and doubles as a privacy screen when nature calls in the treeless grasslands. 💔 Hard Lesson #3: Scattered Attractions = Kids Crying in the Car! Qinghai’s sights are dozens, even hundreds, of kilometers apart. Endless car rides will have your kid asking, "Are we there yet?" on repeat—every mom’s nightmare! ✅ Travel Tips: 🚗 Hire a local driver! Opt for a reliable car service with a child safety seat for comfort and safety while enjoying the views. We chose to self-drive… 🤪 🌸 The most scenic route is the West Loop Road around Qinghai Lake. Erlangjian Scenic Area was a mistake—too crowded! Instead, head to Dongge’er Viewing Platform (fewer people, stunning views, plus seagull feeding and Huang fish sightings), Gari Monastery, or the wetlands near Bird Island (watching Huang fish migrate is magical!). ⏱️ Limit to 1-2 sights per day. Give your child time to play and explore freely—that’s the real joy of travel. 💔 Hard Lesson #4: Last-Minute Food/Lodging = Disaster! In peak season, restaurants near attractions are pricey and packed! Finding kid-friendly meals is tough, and hunger strikes... Even in July/August, nights at Qinghai Lake drop below 10°C. No heating in your room? Everyone suffers! ✅ Survival Guide: 🏠 Stay along the West Loop Road! Not just for the views and photo ops, but also for sunrise access. Book early! Choose well-equipped hotels (ask about floor heating—it’s a must for the temperature swings). Oxygen-equipped lodgings are ideal for kids and elders! We stayed at Qinghai Lake Tibetan Charm Homestay—floor heating, oxygen, a private pasture, and a lakeside platform for stargazing and sunrise views. 🥣 Pack snacks! Kids’ crackers, instant porridge, and formula are lifesavers. Bring a portable electric kettle to warm meals if needed. Yak yogurt? Just a taste—too much may upset little tummies! ✨ Qinghai Lake at Its Best: With good prep, the lake rewards you with its most tender beauty. Watch your child run through golden rapeseed fields (mid-July is peak!). Feed adorable Huang fish by the clear water or snap a photo on a fluffy white yak... Every moment etches into memory, and the exhaustion melts away with their pure, joyful smiles! >📌 Mom’s Checklist: ✅ Altitude kit: Kids’ anti-altitude meds + portable oxygen ✅ All-season wardrobe: Layered clothing + top-tier sun protection ✅ Road buddy: A trusted driver (with a car seat!) ✅ Snack pack: Light bites + thermos ✅ Cozy haven: A well-booked hotel (with heating!) Qinghai Lake won’t punish prepared moms. With a little effort, it gifts you the bluest skies, softest clouds, mesmerizing waters, and your child’s carefree laughter. Go—it’s a memory to treasure forever!

Qinghai Lake, this jade on the plateau, has become a holy land in the hearts of countless travelers with its vast and boundless lake surface and refreshing scenery. Here is a carefully planned route around Qinghai Lake for you, allowing you to enjoy the natural beauty of Qinghai Lake without stepping into paid scenic areas. 🚗 **Recommended Route Around Qinghai Lake**: 1. **Depart from Xining**: Start from Haihu New District, drive about 1 hour and 45 minutes, 132 kilometers, and embark on your exploration journey of Qinghai Lake. 2. **Rapeseed Flower Sea**: July is the best season for rapeseed flowers to bloom. Drive for 1 hour and 15 minutes, 74 kilometers, and immerse yourself in the golden sea of flowers. 3. **Heimahe Town**: The town is full of restaurants, making it a good place for lunch, or you can choose to prepare a simple meal in Xining and enjoy the fun of a roadside picnic. 4. **West Road Around the Lake**: Drive for 20 minutes, 17 kilometers, along this coastal road, you will be healed by the blue of Qinghai Lake and the grasslands full of cattle and sheep. 5. **Garila Monastery**: Drive for 1 hour and 10 minutes, 83 kilometers, visit this Tibetan Buddhist monastery, overlook the vast grasslands from a high place, and feel the shock of the soul. 6. **Compassionate Eye Gratitude Tower**: Drive for 25 minutes, 26 kilometers, to see the charm of this iconic building. 7. **Hargai Town**: Drive for 2 hours and 30 minutes, 152 kilometers, this Tibetan town will add a touch of authenticity to your journey. 8. **Return to Xining**: After finishing the day's journey, don't forget to arrive at the car return point half an hour in advance to ensure a smooth return. ⏰ **Time Planning**: The whole journey takes about 8 hours by car. Including sightseeing and rest time, it is recommended to reserve 11-12 hours to fully enjoy every moment of the trip. 🔍 **Travel Tips**: - **Travel Mode**: Choose to rent a car or cycle according to your itinerary. If time permits, cycling allows you to experience the scenery along the way more deeply. - **Weather Changes**: Plateau weather is changeable, please pay attention to the weather forecast before traveling and make corresponding preparations. - **Warm Measures**: Even in summer, the nights on the plateau can be cold. Bring a warm coat just in case. - **Public Hygiene**: Public toilets along the way are relatively convenient, but it is recommended to follow the principle of "entering the toilet when you see it" to avoid inconvenience during the journey. - **Scenic Spot Selection**: Some scenic spots around Qinghai Lake may charge fees. If you prefer natural exploration, you can choose to avoid these places. The beauty of Qinghai Lake does not lie in the tickets of the scenic spots, but in the vast world and the free heart. Follow this route, and you will discover the most authentic and moving side of Qinghai Lake, making its magnificent scenery an eternal memory in your heart.

⛱️Must-visit attractions: 1️⃣ Qinghai Lake Fishery to Erlangjian Section: The rapeseed flower fields are here, with the sea of flowers and the lake in the same frame, perfect for photos. 2️⃣ Luohe Yakou (Nanshan) Viewing Platform: A ten-minute drive from Erlangjian, offering a panoramic view of Qinghai Lake. 3️⃣ Huanhu West Road: Some sections of the road are close to the lake, with higher terrain, making it a great spot to watch the sunrise over the sacred lake. Such as Heima River, Donggeer Viewing Platform, Garila Temple, and the Cliff. 💗Other tips: Make sure to take personal wind and sun protection measures, drive carefully if you are on a self-driving trip, and protect the environment.