|
|
| |
|
| Brief Introduction
of Qinghai |
Qinghai
Province is located in the northeastern part of the Qinghai-Tibet
Plateau. It has rich tourist resources, including Qinghai Lake,
the largest inland salt lake in China, the well known Bird Island
in the, northwest of Qinghai Lake, the Nature Reserve in Xunhua,
Kumbum Monastery, one of the six largest monasteries of the
Ge-lug-pa Sect of Tibetan Buddhism, Liuwan Ancient Tombs, the
largest and best preserved tombs in ancient China, Qutan Temple
built some 500 years ago, Qaidam Basin, one of the four largest
basins in China, and other places of interest, such as Dulan
International Hunting Ground, Kanbula National Park, and Wufeng
and Laoye mountains. Qinghai Province is one of the five largest
pasturelands in China. The galloping horses, numerous yaks,
snow-white sheep, and herdsmen's tents form a beautiful, tranquil
landscape on the boundless pastureland. Qinghai is very proud
that the world famous Changjiang (Yangtze) and Huanghe (Yellow)
rivers descend from its territory. The spectacular view at the
source of the Changjiang River is the serac forest stretching
five kilometers. The magnificent scene at the source of the
Huanghe River is lakes and streams crisscrossing the green grasslands.
In ECO-tour China'99, Qinghai will offer more chances to display
its beautiful scenery.
Qinghai Province is attractive not only for its beautiful scenery
but also for its colorful local customs. The Tibetans, the Huis,
the Mongolians, the Manchus, the Tus, and the Salars, who are
diligent, bold and unconstrained, and talented singers and dancers
mainly inhabit it.
In recent years, Qinghai Tourism Administration has opened more
routes, including Trekking on the Roof of the World from Xining
to Lhasa, the South Silk Road from Xining to Dunhuang, and the
Ancient Road from Xining to the Yushu Tibet Autonomous Prefecture,
in addition to other special-interest tourist routes, such as
the Natural Landscape, the National Park, the Bird Island, and
Mountaineering. |
| Brief Introduction of Xining |
Xining, located in the eastern
part, is the capital of Qinghai Province as well as the center
of politics, economy, culture, and communications. In 121 B.C.,
the Han stationed troops in the Huangshui River valley, and
General Huo Qubing (140117 B.C.) established the military base
named Xipingting. In 1104, the third year of Emperor Chongning
of the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127), Xipingting was renamed
Xining, which was first recorded The year 1929 witnessed the
founding of Qinghai Province, and Xining was made the capital
seat.
With the continental highland semi-dry climate, Xining has neither
cold winter nor hot summer, and the annual mean temperature
is 6.5c, making the city an ideal summer resort. Xining has
an area of 400 square kilometers and a population of 1 million,
23 percent of whom are minority peoples, including Hui, Tibetan,
Mongolian, Manchu, Tus, and Salar. |
|
 |
| Qinghai / Xining Sightseeing Highlights |
[Dongguan Mosque]
Situated on Dongguan Boulevard in downtown Xining, Dongguan
Mosque is one of the four largest mosques in northwest China.
The main hall of the mosque, 1,102 square meters in area, is
large enough to hold 3,000 people. It was built in the style
of palace in ancient China, accompanied by two-story buildings
on both sides. In front of the main hall is a 30,000-square
meter square laid with slab stones. Every Friday, the Mosque
receives 10, 000 Moslems who come to worship. |
[Beichan Temple]
Also known as Tuloushan, Beichan Temple is located on the North
Hill in Xining. A Taoist temple, Beichan was first built during
the Northern Wei period (386-534) on the hillside, topping dangerous
rocks and bottoming a deep valley. The red crags on the hillside
have been eroded, shaping like a Buddha. In the temple, there
are nine grottoes and 18 caves, with painted patterns of sunken
panels, murals, and statues of Buddha. The architectural structure
of the two-story main building is unique and exquisite. The
cable car at the foot leads to the top of the hill, where people
can enjoy a panoramic view of the city of Xining. |
[Qutan Monastery]
Located in Qutan Town, Ledu County, 80 kilometers from Xining,
Qutan Monastery was built during the reign of Emperor Hongwu
of the Ming Dynasty. Qutan Monastery is units understate protection,
and it is famous for the Ming-style buildings, precious relics,
and valuable murals of the Ming and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties.
Also known as the Lesser Forbidden City, the pattern of the
building complex resembles that of the Forbidden City in Beijing,
with chapels, halls, pavilions, gallery of murals, Buddhist
pagodas, and drum towers scattered symmetrically on both sides
of the axis. The mural gallery with an area of 360 square meters
has a collection of huge painted murals, vividly depicting the
life of Sakyamuni. The colors of the murals are still bright
after experiencing 600 years of wind and rain. |
[Tu Village]
Located in Weiyuan Town, the seat of the Tu Autonomous County
of Huzhu, 30 kilometers from Xining, the Tu Village has more
than 100 families with over 500 inhabitants. The villagers speak
their own language, and have their own tradition and culture.
They are talented singers and dancers. The Tu women are good
as embroidery, and their clothes are joined together with pieces
of cloth in blue, black, yellow, white, and red, embodying the
sky, the earth, harvest, good luck, and enthusiasm. Hence, the
county is known as Home of the Rainbow. |
[Liuwan Tombs]
The Liuwan Tombs, located in Liuwan Village, Gaomiao Town of
Ledu County, 80km from Xining, is the largest tombs of primitive
China, which are well preserved. The tombs cover an area of
110,000 square meters. The re are more than 1,500 tombs with
30, 000 relics unearthed belonging to the cultures of Majiayao,
Machang, Qijia, and Xindian. The buried articles are mainly
production tools. Such as axe, chisel, and knife, as well as
pottery articles for daily use. Among the relics unearthed,
the painted pottery statue is the most valuable, and has been
listed as one of the state-level relics. |
[Beishan National
Park]
Seventy kilometers northeast of the Tu Autonomous County of
Huzhu, 100 kilometers from Xining, the Beishan National Park
has more than 1,000 species of plants and 100 species of wild
animals. Consisting of five parts, the park boasts over 30 scenic
spots, such as the Maple Leaves at Daban, the Snow View at Yuanpu,
the Ancient Pines at Qinggang, and the Frog and Rain at Shilong.
There are well-equipped tourist servic- facilities, such as
a guesthouse, the Mountain Village at Shilong, a Tent Hotel,
a restaurant, and a dance hall. |
[Gun-lung Monastery]
Located 30 kilometers east of the Tu Autonomous County of Huzhu,
65 kilometers from Xining, Gun-lung Monastery was established
in 1604, the 32nd year during the reign of Emperor Wanli of
the Ming Dynasty. The monastery was first run by Geyser (Rgyalsras),
the Seventh Living Buddha, and is now run by the 13th Living
Buddha. The Qing emperor granted the living Buddha the title
of Hutuktu, who have enjoyed high position. Religious activities,
such as dance karma (mchams), and displaying the image of Buddha,
are held during the 14th and 15th days of the first month on
Tibetan calendar. Another grand traditional religious activity
is held during the 7th and 9th days of the sixth month to commemorate
Sakyamuni. |
[Taer Monastery (Kumburm
Monastery)]
Located in Huangzhong County, 26 kilometers from Xining, Kumbum
Monastery was built during the reign of Emperor Jiaqing of the
Ming Dynasty (13681644). Covering an area of 40 hectares, the
monastery is an ancient building complex in the Han style, consisting
of halls, chapels, the temporary dwelling place of the Panchen
Lamas, and rooms for monks. It is under national protection
because it is the birthplace of Tsongkhapa, founder of the Ge-lug-pa
(or Yellow) Sect and one of the six largest monasteries for
the Ge-lug-pa Sect of Lamaism in China. The monastery has a
rich collection of relics. Every year, four grand religious
activities are held here between the 14th and the 15th day of
the first month and the fourth month, the 7th and the 8th day
of the sixth month, and the 22nd and the 23rd day of the ninth
month, on lunar calendar. |
![[Mt. Riyue & Daotang River]](images/cityguide/xining/Mt. Riyue.jpg) [Mt.
Riyue & Daotang River]
The mountain was known as Chilling Range in ancient China. Legend
has it that in the Tang Dynasty, Emperor Taizong granted Princess
Wencheng a mirror named the Sun and the Moon before she married
King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet. The mirror was said to see Chang'an,
then capital, and her relatives. When she passed through Chilling
Range, the princess threw the Sun and the Moon onto the mountain.
Hence the name. To commemorate Princess Wencheng, the local
people built two pavilions named the Sun and the Moon respectively.
At the northwestern foot of the mountain a river runs westward.
Hence its name. It is said that the river water was tears of
Princess Wencheng who suffered from homesick. Worried that someday
the river would have reached Chang'an if it runs eastward, the
princess prayed for turning its flow back. God was deeply moved
and changed the flow of the river. |
[KoKonor]
Located in northeast Qinghai Province, 150 kilometers from Xining,
Qinghai Lake covers an area of 4,500 square kilometers, 3,200
meters above sea level. It is the largest inland salt lake in
China, and is famous for alepidote, fresh, tender, which grows
500 grams 10 years. In summer time, flowers blossom along the
lakeside inhabited by the Tibetans. |
 [Birds
Island]
Located in the northwestern corner of Qinghai Lake, the island,
less than 1 square kilometer, is a natural habitat of more than
100,000 migrant birds, including bar-headed geese, ruddy shel-ducks,
cormorants, swans, and brown-headed gulls from southern China
and the Indian Ocean. May and June are (he best time for admiring
the birds. The flying birds blot out the sky and cover the sun,
forming a splendid view on the island. |
[ChaKa Salt Lake]
The Caka (meaning the sea of salt in Mongolian language) Salt
Lake cocers and area of 105 square kilometers, and is a tyical
chloride salt lake. The salt from Caka are sold in 20 provinces
and cities, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, as well as in Japan and
Nepal, and the Middle East. Tourists can take the train to
the salt farm, watching the mining of salt, and admiring various
salt crystals in the shape of pearls, corals, snowflakes,
and mushrooms. |
[The Salt Bridge]
The world-known Charhan Salt Lake vocers an area of 5, 868 square
kms with 6 billion tons of mineral deposits. It leads the way
in China in the deposits of potassium, magnesium, lithium, and
sodium, and is the largest peopoldite producer in the country.
The Qingha-Tiber Highway, the highest of its kind in the worl,
runs through the salt lake. The colorful world of salt forms
a unique view on the highland, lake, attracting visitors from
all parts of the world. The lake has been prestigest as the
King of Salt Lake. The Salt Bridge, 60kms north of the downtown
area, stretches 32 kms, spanning over the salkt lake. Entirely
laid with salt, the bridge is straight, flat, and smooth. |
[Kanbula National
Park]
Located in northwestern Jainca County, 131 kms from Xining,
the Kanbula National Park covers an area of 39.17 square kms.
This scenic spot consists of hills, eroded hillock, and small
basins among mountains, with 50 tourist attractions, of which
Danxia landformation, Buddhist temples,, and Liujia Gorge Power
Station are the hightlights. It is an ideal place for sightseeing,
worshipping, and summer resort. |
[Mengda Heavenly
Pond]
Located in the east of Jishi Town, Xunhua County, 150 kms from
Xining, the pond covers and area of 20hectares, and is 30meters
in depth. The pond is surranded by ancient trees of 550 species,
including spruce and Huashan pines. Among the dense forest,
there are rare animals and birds, such as blue sheep and snow
cocks. An ideal health resort, the place has become a state
nature reserve. |
[Former Residence
of the Tenth Pancen Lama]
Located southwest of Jishi Town in the Salar Autonomous Couty
of Xunhua, the Foer Residence of the Tenth Pancen Lama is a
compound building complex with one-story houses in the south
and three-story structures in Tibetan style. These buildings
are brightly painted, elegant, grandeur and luxuriously decorated.
In the north are chapels, which enshrines the dead of the Panchen
Lama. |
[Longbaotan Nature
Reserve]
Located 80 kilometers northwest of Jiegu Town, the Longbaotan
Nature Reserve is a long narrow basin hemmed in by mountains,
with an area of 100 square kilometers. Yi Qu, a tributary of
the Tongtian River, runs through the basin, forming five lakes
with numerous springs. The crisscrossing lakes and marshes cut
the area into sandbanks and small "islands." The advantageous
natural condition makes it an ideal home for birds and aquatic
animals and plants. The black-necked cranes are finder good
protection and are held a holy bird bringing good luck and happiness.
More than en species of birds, such as the black-necked cranes,
bar-headed 3eese, and brown-headed gulls, come to breed every
March and April. |
[Four Villages of
Regong Art]
The four villages including Shangxia Wutun, Nianduhu, Gasairi,
and Guomari, in Tongren County, Tibet Autonomous Pre-fecture
of Huangnan, are known as home to Buddhist paintings and sculptures,
popular some 700 years ago. The techniques of the Regong art
have been fully used in beautifying people's life, and can be
found almost everywhere - on the walls, bricks, stones, clothes,
and buildings. |
[Mt. A'yemaqen]
The lofty A'nyemaqen Mountains is composed of 13 peaks, averaging
5,900 meters above sea level. Legend has it that there are many
mountain gods, wise, kind-hearted, who protect the local people
from evil spirits. Mt. A'nyemaqen is holding holy especially
by the Tibetan people. A'nyemaqen is also attractive for its
unique land formation, changeable climate, spectacular waterfalls,
and various species of wild animals. |
[Mt. Niaobaoyuze]
Also known as Guoluo, Nianbaoyuze Mountains is held holy by
the locals on Guoluo Grassland. It is located 40 kilometers
southwest of Jigzhi County, and is the main peak on the southeastern
section of Mt. Bayan Har. It is said that the mountain is the
birthplace of the local Tibetans. Nianbaoyuze is composed of
many peaks 4,000 meters above sea level. The main peak is located
in the southwestern monsoon zone, with an annual rainfall of
700mm, a place with the most rainfall in Qinghai. There are
360 lakes, which are famous for alepidotes. In the southeast,
there are virgin forests of pines and firs. The ravines are
home to snow leopards, brown dears, and lynxes. The weather
here is changeable. |
[Temple of Princess
Wencheng]
Located 20 kilometers from Jiegu Town of Yushu Prefecture, the
Temple of Princess Wencheng is hemmed in by mountains and streams.
It is equisitely designed. On top of the rock over the front
gate of the main hall there are nine statues of Buddha, displaying
the excellent technique of carving and painting of the Tang
Dynasty (618-907). It is said that when she passed through here
on her way to marry the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo, Princess
Wencheng was deeply moved by the hospitable local Tibetans.
She thus ordered her artisans and craftsmen to build Buddhist
pagodas and make statues of Buddha. In 710 when she passed through
the same place on her way to marry the Tibetan king Chide Zugdan,
Princess Jincheng saw the statues of Buddha and asked her craftsmen
to rebuild the temple, granting the name of the Temple of Princess
Wencheng. |
[Source of the Changjiang
River]
The Changjiang (Yangtze) River descends from the glaciers at
the northwestern foot of the snow-capped Geladandong, the main
peak of Tanggula Mountains. Twenty-one ice peaks tower 6,000
meters above sea level, forming the Tuotuo River, the origin
of the Yangtze. Standing among the forest of ice peaks, people
can enjoy the superlative craftsmanship by nature - the crystal
ice "sculptures" of towers, bridges, and mushrooms.
The best season for traveling is from June through September. |
[Source of the Huanghe
River]
The Huanghe (Yellow) River descends from Yokutsunglieh Canal
in the north, east of Mt. Yagradagze in Madoi County, and Kari
Qu in the south in Qumarleb County. The source region is 5,000
meters above sea level. The river meanders through broad grasslands,
accepting numerous springs, which empty themselves into more
than 100 pools and lakes dotted around, glistening in the sun
like stars, giving the area the name the Sea of Stars. The pools
and lakes join in a 10-meter-wide, 0.5-meter-deep stream - the
source of the river. The best season for trekking is from June
through September. |
[Mt. Kunlun]
Mt. Kunlun has been known as the Forefather of Mountains in
China. The name of the mountain can be found in many Chinese
classics, such as The Classics of Mountains and Rivers, Commentary
on the Waterways Classics, and Canonization of the Gods (or
Gods and Heroes). As legend has it, the goddess of Kunlun
is Queen Mother of the West. The adobe of immortals in many
ancient books is said to be the Heihai, or the Black Sea -
the source of the Kunlun River, 4,300 meters above sea level,
with an area of 60 square kilometers. The river region is
an ideal home to birds and wild animals, such as wild donkeys,
sheep, and brown bears. There are precious murals in Yeniugou,
or Wild Bull Ditch. Textual research shows that this is where
Taoist rites were performed during the late Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368).
Top
|
|
|
| Flight Information |
|
| Train Information |
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Tour Code |
Package Name |
Attractions |
Itinerary
&
Price |
|
| |
|
|
|
Tour Search
