“We went to the Qinghai natural museum in the morning and went to Qinghai normal University in the afternoon. The time was summer vacation, so there was not any student on campus, but the campus was very beautiful like Tsinghua University. We were welcomed by the university`s basketball team and played ball games together. It was fun to play together with different university`s students and it helped us to communicate with each other in the group.”

　　I now have less than 1 month to totally leave Tsinghua University, Beijing, China. I am spending wonderful enjoyable time left for me with friends including friends who I met in this trip. Probably everyone in the trip is the same with me; we always remember those days when we see each other.

　　This is absolutely one of the best trips ever, and hopefully the bond with each other will last forever. I am writing this emotional report with photos and videos which we took during the trip, and of course it spends a lot of time caring these things, not writing itself.

　　The story begins from the day before departure. I came back to Tsinghua University just before the departure day from the three-week Silk-road trip along Gangsu, Shaanxi, and Xinjiang provinces. I had a stomachache for the last half trip, probably because of unclean water and food or oily meat. On the day, I went to the office to pick up my coat which was provided to us all for the sake of saving us from serious cold weather in Qinghai.

　　I actually recognize our teacher for the first time then; we met in the interview but I was too upset then to remember her. I wrote down some contact papers and I felt a little nervous because I was still sick and the contact said we should have no illness or health problem. The coat was so expensive for me and made me think about the responsibility in this trip.

　　The night before departure, I was packing clothes, books and medicines. I went to the military hospital and bought some medicine. I also packed a cap for the sake of the strong sunlight in Qinghai. I did not prepare winter clothes except for the coat I picked that day, because I already knew the western China’s climate from my experience of the Silk-road trip. I did pack and went to bed early to prepare for the next morning with some excitement for the coming trip.

　　The morning was coming; I got up very early. And I packed again not to forget anything, and then went to northeast gate of Tsinghua University. I got on the bus and realized that I forgot the main medicine for stomachache. It is usual to forget something in trips, but I felt anxious because I thought I couldn’t make it without the medicine. Anyway the bus headed to the Beijing Airport and I fell asleep. I felt then we were not friends and just expected the nature beauty in Qinghai province. There were not so many cars on the road to the airport in the morning and it took just around 30 minutes to the destination.

　　I slept for a while on the bus, but I was still sleepy after arriving at the airport. We waited for a little bit long before boarding, I had no appetite for a cup of coffee or a hamburger. I was really not sure about what this trip was going to be and details of the program. Many of us were playing our phones during waiting time. We attracted some attention from other passengers in the airport because we have people who look different from Chinese. Actually I have never travelled with such people so far, so it was a special experience. Thinking about what was going on, the boarding time had come. I ordered the blankets to prevent from cold air on the plane. Then I had a meal during the flight, but it didn’t taste good because my taste was affected by unhealthy condition. I just ate some vegies. The flight had no problem, and smoothly landed onto Xining Airport.

　　Arriving at Xining, I had no special feeling; it looks like the normal cities in western China like Lanzhou. It took around 30 minutes to the hotel. The hotel we stayed during Xining was extremely gorgeous and super nice beyond description. Due to some uncomfortable hotels where I lived in my Silk-road trip, which might lead to my stomachache; I really appreciated I can have such a good hotel to stay in. And more, the schedule was not tight at all; the day we arrived at Xining, we just had dinner. The dishes were also very tasty including specific dished like yogurt, fruits, and yak meat. I was very happy and thankful and went to bed.

　　I let many people be anxious about my health before this trip, for example my family and my girlfriend, especially my family were very anxious because they do not live in China and do not know the custom or culture in China. After I arrived at such a nice hotel and had a super good meal, lying on a soft queen bed, called them that I am okay and definitely became well during this trip.

　　The next day, our activities were much better than I thought. The activities themselves were quite fun; the Qinghai natural museum we went was quite good and the guide was really well-trained that we foreigners could catch up. We went to the Qinghai natural museum in the morning and went to Qinghai normal University in the afternoon. The time was summer vacation, so there was not any student on campus, but the campus was very beautiful like Tsinghua University. We were welcomed by the university`s basketball team and played ball games together. It was fun to play together with different university`s students and it helped us to communicate with each other in the group. I felt the guys in Qinghai are handsome and tall, and girls in our group had same emotions. I appreciate their kind welcome and hospitality. Through playing ball games, the distance between students got closer. That day, I felt satisfied and went to bed quickly.

　　The next day, we visited Qinghai lake which I expected most before came to Qinghai. It took 3 hours to the lake from our hotel, but time flies like an arrow. The lake`s scenery was very beautiful beyond description. The season of birds and rape flowers has probably gone, but the water was very blue and the sounds of waves very comfortable, the path along the lake seemed like a path in heaven. Prayer flags winding aside the lake were beautiful. We usually like monotone colors like white and black in our daily life, but I felt the straight simple colors like red, yellow, blue, green used on prayer flags really suited to nature in Qinghai. The green on mountains and blue on lakes with colorful flags make me feel how the nature is majestic. Then, we Tsinghua University team, were becoming friends; we took selfies and talked well and were like a family. We fully enjoyed the Qinghai Lake for about 4 hours and went back.

　　Next day, we went to Ashigong National Geopark which is near to Xining city. It was beautiful crystal made by nature and uncountable time. The blue sky and red soil were in good contrast. Here we walked a lot in the park and played a lot like taking selfies. Then we went to Songba cultural village. This time we observed traditional Tibetan life in countryside. Every place we visited was nice and I feel they will become invaluable experiences after the trip.

　　We visited Hajong temple on day 5. The temple was built on a soft cliff on a mountain and it was told that one monk made the temple by himself to pursue the life. The temple suddenly appears in a forest and is very mysterious. That day, I also enjoyed taking photos and chatting with group members.

　　The last day in Xining, Ta Er temple, probably the biggest temple in Qinghai was full of travelers. After visiting the temple, we moved to the central area of the city and saw around the shopping street. Then we went to a mosque. The building seemed has a long history. I did see the girls of an elementary school near the mosque, and it gave me a subtle impression; I heard that in Muslim world, girls usually do not get high education, and in front of me there is a school only for girls and one girl with her mother walked around the school. After that, we, Tsinghua University group including our photographer, who was a nice Beijing guy, enjoyed hotpot together. We all enjoyed the trip a lot.

　　Next day, we left Xining and headed to next destination, Guoluo and Hainan. I remember that Hainan professional high school students are very serious to their study and work. The attitude to their own study and work really deserves respect; They did not move their eyes when we foreign strangers come into the classroom. I want to learn their concentration. For the trip in Guoluo and Hainan, every place we visited welcomed us with their heart. I also have strong impression on Yongzin which some Tibetan software engineers have created. At the end of the day, we went to the hotel which was super good as well as the one in Xining.. I again really appreciate who supported this program, and went to bed early for my health.

　　Another 3 days after that, we visited not only the dynamic nature scenery, but also developed industrial areas like solar electricity system plant and dam. I never expected such developed factory in places very far from Xining, so I was very surprised to see those modern ones. Especially the solar system development factory was nice and impressive. Through the trip we become closer and closer.

　　One morning on these days in the hotel, I walked around the hotel. I found a big square in front of the hotel and there are a lot of people. They exercised and played around the square. I have never seen people gathering in such a big square and became interested. Of course it is smaller than Tiananmen Square, but it is surely a big one. I guess there are lots of squares the same as I saw in other cities in China. The people look really fun and happy; they walk, run, skate, dance and pray. The next destination was a little far, and it actually took a long time. Before starting the trip, we went to a lake which looks very nice and is the highest place in the trip. It snowed which surprised us. Dancing while it snowed was one of best memories in the trip. The place was like another world from the world we live in today. The altitude was 4,600 meters high. After dancing there, we started driving, then on the way to the destination, we got to the Aemye Ma-chhen Range where a Tibetan sanctuary is. I met one Tibetan from Yushu area who likes Japanese, and I regret I could not talk with him about Japanese things even I am Japanese because I do not know very well about Japan.

　　The time had passed quickly. After coming back to Xining,I realized I would come back to Beijing soon. I made friends and had memories during this trip, and appreciated every support in all aspects. I do not know what has changed for me in this trip, but more than any other trip, I strongly recognize my life is mine and do whatever I want without hesitation, through the people I met and the natural scenery or some western China culture I experienced. This trip cannot be accomplished by myself even with unlimited money or time, I really appreciate the people who arranged this trip and cared for us in Qinghai too. I love Qinghai.