Qinghai Lake is China’s largest inland salt lake. Along its southern shore, the Qinghai Lake No. 1 Highway runs for 121.3 kilometers as a scenic corridor road. Together, the lake and road offer a distinctive glimpse of Qinghai’s landscape; elsewhere, highland nature, river sources and cultural sites shape the region in their own unique ways.
Highland Nature Through the Seasons
In Hoh Xil, alpine grasslands and meadows around the lake basins are important calving grounds for Tibetan antelope populations from across the plateau. At the beginning of every summer, tens of thousands of female Tibetan antelopes travel hundreds of kilometers from their wintering grounds in the west, north and east to the lake basins to give birth. Here, the landscape and the recurring natural cycle of the year are closely connected.
Sanjiangyuan National Park offers another perspective. It protects the headwaters of the Yangtze, Yellow and Lancang rivers and covers 190,700 square kilometers. Its landscapes range from glaciers and snow-capped mountains to high-altitude wetlands, deserts and Gobi terrain, as well as alpine grasslands and meadows. This diversity makes clear that Qinghai’s natural environment is shaped not only by its lakes, but also by a wide range of highland landscapes.
Monasteries, Art and Traditions
Ta’er Monastery brings together religious history and distinctive architecture. It is one of the six major monasteries of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism and the birthplace of its founder, Tsongkhapa. The palace-like complex combines Tibetan and Han Chinese architectural styles. The monastery is also known for its artistic “three treasures”: butter sculptures, murals and appliqué embroidery. Its architecture and crafts offer different ways to experience this place.
Regong art offers another perspective on Tibetan Buddhist art. It includes thangka, murals, appliqué embroidery and sculpture, and is regarded as an important school of art. The Regong June Festival is another distinctive cultural event. It takes place every year from the 17th to the 25th day of the sixth lunar month, alternating between 24 Tibetan and Tu villages along the Longwu River. In 2006, the festival was added to the national list of intangible cultural heritage; its history stretches back 1,400 years. Check the exact calendar date before your trip, as the timing follows the lunar calendar.
Atomic City offers a different historical perspective. It is located on the Jinyintan Grassland in Xihai Town, in Haiyan County, Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai. China’s first atomic weapons research base was located here; Atomic City is its former site. The Atomic City Memorial Museum provides a comprehensive account of the development of China’s atomic energy science and nuclear industry. This focus differs markedly from Qinghai’s religious and artistic themes.
Reflections at Chaka Salt Lake
The Chaka Salt Lake scenic area is located in Chaka Town, Wulan County, Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. Its striking reflections define a landscape known as China’s “Mirror of the Sky.” The area includes a 4,714 m² museum that brings together cultural interpretation, sightseeing, science education and hands-on experiences. The salt lake’s reflective effect thus sits alongside cultural and scientific interpretation within the same scenic area.
Discover more destinations: Xining, Haixi, Hainan, Yushu, Haidong, Haibei, Golog, Huangnan.
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