Getting to Amnye Machen requires significant commitment. The nearest town of substance, Maqin, is connected to Xining by bus — the journey takes roughly 10 to 12 hours on high-altitude roads and costs around 100 yuan. Buses depart from Xining's Nanchuan West Bus Terminal; there is typically one departure daily in the morning. Check current schedules locally as they change seasonally.
The faster option is hiring a vehicle from Xining or Xining's outskirts, which cuts the journey somewhat and allows stops along the Plateau. A private car from Xining to Maqin should cost in the range of 800 to 1,200 yuan one-way depending on negotiation. There are also irregular shared minibuses from towns within Golog Prefecture. Once in Maqin, hiring a local car or arranging a guide with pack yaks is the standard approach to reaching the kora trailheads.