Skating 365km above 3200m in Tibet
Lake Qinghai
The lake is a saline and alkaline lake. It is the largest lake in China with a size of 4,317 square km and an average depth of 21m. The lake is situated in a hollow of the Tibetan plateau at 3.205m above sea level. The closest big city is Xining at 100km. The lake has been circumambulated by mainly Tibetan Buddhist pilgrims, especially every Horse Year of the 12-year cycle. The pilgrims reported that it took 18 days on horseback and 23 days walking |
From Canton to the Lake
The Qinghai lake is very far from Canton where the skaters lived. So the trip started with a train ride from Canton to Xining. This trip took more than 33 hours. Then we were still not at the lake. We rented a bus for the luggage during the tour and for the trip of 100km from Xining to the lake.. After a good night sleep and some instructions about the trip we went to the lake to make our first beautiful pictures of the lake. These skates had still quite some kilometers ahead of them along the lake. |
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Day 1
On the first day the plan was to skate 79 km from Xihai Town to Er Langjian through a country side with some hills which required some strength but also some skills to skate downhill.
On the first day the plan was to skate 79 km from Xihai Town to Er Langjian through a country side with some hills which required some strength but also some skills to skate downhill.
After getting up and eat and drinking something, we did some warming up for the trip. Maybe we started a bit too fast given the altitude we were skating. Therefore we made a couple of breaks to relax. Reaching the lake we made a longer break at a memorial arch. A photo shows how enthusiast we were. After that we had to go up and down some hills. Two of us fell going down but fortunately it was not too bad. We went on through the nice country side and saw our first yak and deer along the side of the road. Getting closer to the final destination we had to skate at the side of a lot of traffic. Fortunately no accidents occurred and we safely reach our destination while the sun went down beautifully.
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Day 2
Today we planned to skate 73 km to Heima River where we would watch the sunrise the next day
Today we planned to skate 73 km to Heima River where we would watch the sunrise the next day
We got together at 8 o´clock. Everyone felt sore and exhausted because of our first day skating on unusual high altitude. Bing´s eye began to swell, stung by a wasp yesterday. It looked funny but he couldn´t help laughing about it.
As usual we started again with the warming up. After that we skated on a small path along the lake. After having some fun along the border of the lake, we went on to our next stop passing different animals. We stopped in a tent camp for the night. A storm was coming up and two beautiful rainbows appeared at the horizon. In this incredible scene we went to the town for our supper. |
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Day 3
This day we had to skate only 58 km because we had planned some sightseeing. We got up at 5 o´clock to have a look at the sunrise in Heima River. You can´t believe how beautiful it was with all those swans and birds wandering in the sunshine. Then we went by car to the Caka lake, that is completely covered by salt. One can smell the salty air getting close. We walked on the salt cover and made of course some pictures and videos.
This day we had to skate only 58 km because we had planned some sightseeing. We got up at 5 o´clock to have a look at the sunrise in Heima River. You can´t believe how beautiful it was with all those swans and birds wandering in the sunshine. Then we went by car to the Caka lake, that is completely covered by salt. One can smell the salty air getting close. We walked on the salt cover and made of course some pictures and videos.
When it was time to skate again it was raining. To my surprise, everyone decided to skate on in the rain even though they understand that it would be difficult. There was also a lot of traffic. Worse was that half way the wind increased so much that we had to hug together in order not to be separated from each other. Luckily it didn’t last long.
The last part of the day, we were fortunately to go down a long way with high speed, for some a bit too fast. In the end, with the help of some local people, we all reached happily our final destination for this day. |
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Day 4
This day we had to skate 68 km. This part was a bit boring because the road was farther away from the lake.
This day we had to skate 68 km. This part was a bit boring because the road was farther away from the lake.
After the necessary preparation of the skates, the usual warming up and a visit to the doctor we started to skate the 68 km of this day. At the first part the land was very flat and the views endless. For some of us this was too much. Others got help from a friend on a bicycle.
In the end we all arrived in Gangcha at 16.30 and still had time to enjoy the special attractions of this town known for their special Tibetan curiosities. We spend some extra time looking at these interesting sites. |
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The significant tower at the center of the town is very interesting: the tower has 4 different faces with different expressions at its four sides. The big fish painted on the wall means ”Safety and happiness” in the Chinese culture. The Tibetan Temple was peaceful with few tourists that day. The beautiful graffiti on the big rock, in Tibetan letters, indicate blessings too. For me this was the first time to visit a Tibetan temple. Also, we found some other Tibetan cultural elements in this town, gods and ghosts standing on the corners of the buildings.
The Lake Qinghai is a popular place for cyclists and skaters. At the top floor of our hostel, we found different flags of other teams who had been there before. Of course, the next thing we did was hanging one flag of us there too.
The Lake Qinghai is a popular place for cyclists and skaters. At the top floor of our hostel, we found different flags of other teams who had been there before. Of course, the next thing we did was hanging one flag of us there too.
Day 5
This day we had to skate the last 86 km to come to the end of our trip of 365 kilometers. The town to reach was Xihai Town, the town where we also started our skating trip.
This day we had to skate the last 86 km to come to the end of our trip of 365 kilometers. The town to reach was Xihai Town, the town where we also started our skating trip.
For some of us climbing up the hills again was a bit too much after 4 days of skating. They looked for help by hanging behind cars while going up some long slopes. Going down we were more willing to do it ourselves. With our destination closer and closer, everyone got more excited! A few more braveness and some nice fast skating, passing a herd of sheep and a nuclear plant, we arrived the endpoint of our long trip. All received a certificate as memory of this nice tour. |
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The final party
It will be clear that we did not went back without a big party. Below you can see how much we enjoyed to have participated in this trip.
It will be clear that we did not went back without a big party. Below you can see how much we enjoyed to have participated in this trip.
Congratulations 丹莹、小楼、柳柳、媚媚、阿杰、胡广、雀巢、大旗、海姬、辅建、宇涛、瓜瓜、小远远、兵哥、超超、本正、程宇、有强、Yoyo