With the increasing appeal of Qinghai as a tourist destination, Xining has capitalized on its position as a crossroads between east and west, establishing itself as a vital base for self-drive travelers in Qinghai—where they can refuel, take a break, resupply, and gear up for the next leg of their journey. According to statistics, in 2018, Xining hosted 1.453 million self-drive vehicles from outside the province and welcomed 5.086 million self-drive tourists.
Local tourism operators noted that the northwestern region, located deep inland and encompassing provinces and autonomous regions such as Shaanxi, Gansu, Ningxia, Qinghai, and Xinjiang, boasts diverse natural landscapes across its vast area of approximately 3.1 million square kilometers. It is home to globally renowned attractions like the Terracotta Army, Dunhuang, Shapotou, Qinghai Lake, and Kanas. However, these sites are often far apart, and during peak seasons, the shortage of vehicles and accommodations becomes particularly acute.
To further expand the scale of self-drive tourism, Xining in Qinghai, Qinghai Lake scenic area, and domestic automobile companies jointly launched the “Discover Northwest RV Educational Tour Season” self-drive tour project today (the 12th). Centered around RVs, the initiative offers diverse experiences including self-driving, camping, and educational travel, while leveraging the flexibility of road trips to reach other northwestern provinces and enhance visitors’ overall experience.