XNN → YUS

Xining Valley

Aerial view of the Huangshui River valley and the expanding cityscape of Xining during the initial ascent.

Bayan Har Mountains

Dramatic snow-capped peaks that serve as the watershed between the Yellow and Yangtze River basins.

Yellow River Headwaters

Gliding over the winding, silver threads of the upper Yellow River as it carves through the high plateau.

Tibetan Steppe

Vast stretches of high-altitude grasslands dotted with black dots representing yak herds and nomad tents.

Sanjiangyuan National Park

A bird's-eye view of the 'Water Tower of Asia,' featuring a complex mosaic of wetlands and alpine meadows.

Qinghai Lake

Depending on the flight corridor, a distant but stunning view of the deep blue expanse of China's largest lake.

Kunlun Range

The northern horizon is dominated by the jagged, ancient peaks of the Kunlun mountain system.

Highland Permafrost

Unique geological patterns and frozen marshlands typical of the extreme altitudes of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

Yushu Reconstruction

As you descend into Batang Airport, view the impressively rebuilt urban center of Yushu nestled in the valley.

Gonghe Basin

A transitional landscape of semi-arid hills and high-altitude plains shortly after leaving Xining.