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Qinghai, known as the "Pearl of the Plateau", has a rich natural and cultural landscape. Recommend the top 10 must-see attractions in Qinghai: Qinghai Lake, Taer Temple, Chaka Salt Lake, Cambra National Park, Zhuoer Mountain, Nianbao Yuze, Menyuan Rape Flower Sea, Qilian Zhuoer Mountain, Ulan Harihatu National Forest Park and Yushu Longbaotan National Nature Reserve. Come to Qinghai and explore the mystery and beauty of the plateau.
Qinghai, located in the western plateau of China, is known as the "Pearl of the Plateau". The beautiful scenery and abundant natural resources here attract countless tourists to explore. When traveling in Qinghai, many enchanting attractions are waiting to be discovered. Below, we will recommend the top ten must-see attractions in Qinghai.
Qinghai Lake is the largest inland lake in China and the highest saltwater lake in the world. The blue waves of the lake are rippling and contrast with the blue sky. Here, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the lake and mountains, and you can also ride around the lake to feel the tranquility and mystery of the plateau lake.
Kumbum Monastery, also called Ta’er Temple in Chinese, is the birthplace of the Tsongkhapa, founder of Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism (Yellow Hat Sect), and one of the top six Gelug monasteries of Tibetan Buddhism in China. With a long history, the noble statues and remarkable “Three Arts”, this temple is honored as “the Second Lumbini Garden” for worldwide worshippers and the most-known landmark site for travelers.
About 151km to the west of Qinghai Lake, Chaka Salt Lake is a beautiful oval-shaped lake known for its reflective salt lake bed. It is a key salt mine in Qinghai with abundant salt resources. With the crystal blue water, white salt crust, and surrounding snow-capped mountains, the heavenly scene attracts millions of visitors and photographers to come every year. The scenic sites around the lake include Chaka Salt Lake Scenic Area and new developed Sky No.1 in the western lakeside.
Rongwo Monastery (Longwu Monastery) is an ancient Tibetan Buddhist monastery with a history of over 700 years. Rongwo Monastery play a very important role during the history of Tibetan Buddhism in northwestern China. Many famous Buddhist masters, scholars lived and studied Buddhism here. Till now, it is one of the three influential Buddhist monasteries in Amdo Tibetan Region together with Labrang Temple in Gansu and Kumbum Monastery in Qinghai.
The architecture of Rongwo Monastery combines the Tibetan and traditional Chinese style. The 11 meters tall statue of Tsongkhapa is a big highlight of this monastery. Many pilgrims prostrate and pray in front of him. Famous Regong art, the traditional folk art including Thangka, murals, embroidery, religious sculpture and many other kinds of painting arts, is originated in Rongwo Monastery. In the Main Assembly Hall, you can enjoy a glorious mural of all the mountain gods that Regong people believe. It is also available to watch scripture-debating in the monastery in the afternoon. If you visit in some special festivals or big days, many grand religious activities can be enjoyed as well, like the New Year Prayer Fair.
Amne Machin is one of the Four Sacred Tibetan Buddhist Mountains in China and is of great importance to Tibetan. It is a mountain less traveled by tourists, therefore, it remains its primitive features. Apart from the majestic snow mountains, there are also grasslands and beautiful lakes. It is also a paradise for wild animals and plants.
Hoh Xil Nature Reserve is one of China's national nature reserves with the highest elevation, largest area, and the richest wildlife resource. It is also one of the best-preserved regions in the world in its original state. Combining the alpine desert and plateau wetland, Hoh Xil Nature Reserve occupies a pivotal position in the ecological environment of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and even China, Asia and the world. In 2017, UNESCO listed Hoh Xil Nature Reserve in the World Nature Heritage Sites because of the precious natural treasures.
In order to protect the reserve, tourists are not permitted to go deep into the area but it is available to drive along the highway nearby. You will see the highly-soaring snow mountains, feel the boundlessness of grassland and meet Tibetan antelope as well as many other rich wildlife resources such as wild yak, wild donkey, white-lipped deer, brown bear, etc. By the way, trains to Lhasa also pass through Hoh Xil Nature Reserve.
Qarhan Salt Lake collectively refers to four consecutive sections of Bieletan, Buerxun, Qarhan and Hobuxun from west to east. Literally means the king of the salt lake in Mongol, it is one of the richest salt reserves in the world. Besides, it is also the largest salt lake in China and second-largest inland salt lake in the world, covering a whole area of 5,856 square kilometers. Just like Chaka Salt Lake, Qarhan Salt Lake is also formed due to the changes of the crust and rise of the terrain.
The sight of Qarhan Salt Lake is incredibly splendid with transparent and glowing green water and white salt crystals on the bank. On a sunny day, the surrounding scenery, sky and white clouds are reflected in the lake, giving a great opportunity to photograph. Many architectures in Qarhan Salt Lake are made of salt, and the most famous one is the Great Salt Bridge. Don't miss Salt Lake Museum where you can take a glimpse of the development and utilization of salt as well as many salt products with interesting shape.
Amne Machin Snow Mountain is one of the Four Greatest Mountains in Tibet Buddhism together with Mount Kailash in Ngari (Tibet), Meli Snow Mountian in Shangri-La (Yunnan) and Gaduojuewu Mountain in Yushu (Qinghai). It is the largest mountain at the source of the Yellow River. Machen Kangri, the main peak of the mountain, reaches a height of 6,282 meters, Besides, there are 17 other peaks above 5,000 meters, which are surrounded by clouds and mist all year round. You are able to admire the high grassland, glacial lakes, wide forest and mountains valleys as you get to this mountain. In winter, the whole area is covered by thick snow. When summer comes, green grass, wild flowers as well as flocks of yaks and sheep can be found everywhere. It is also available to see some Tibetan nomads in their traditional clothes.
Except for natural view, several monasteries lie at the foot of Amne Machin, including Guri Gompa and White Stupa. As a god mountain, Amne Machin has attracted numerous Buddhist pilgrims from far away. The worshippers believe that going around Amne Machin means rebirth into this human world again. They always spend several days walking or more days prostrating themselves to circumambulate the mountain. Some travelers also take a physically demanding trek around this mountain in seven to nine days.
Dongguan Mosque, also called Dongguan Great Mosque or Dongguan Muslim Grand Mosque, is the largest and oldest mosque in Qinghai Province. It was built during Ming Dynasty when the emperor Hongwu was on his throne. As one of the “four great mosques in China”, Dongguan Great Mosque is the holy home to millions of Muslims in China. There are many Muslim disciples worshipping and attending Muslim event here. If you are an architecture lover, this mosque is a great place for you to discover. Dongguan Great Mosque is a combination of traditional Chinese garden building and typical Muslim buildings. At the same time, you will find some spectacular design in some corner of this mosque. Travelers will always be attracted by its architecture at the first sight of the main entrance. As you walk into the mosque, architectural designs will give you a great visual delight.
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