Qinghai Province is a sparking jewel set on the northwest plateau of China, wherein theYangtze River, the Yellow River as well as the Mekong River take their source. The scenicquality of Qinghai's widely varying landscape is superb and enticing, offering from the rangesof gleaming mountains with glacier-capped peaks over 6000 meters high to the gobi desertdunes of Qaidam, from lush ranchland to the sapphire-like lakes of vast area, all this hascreated a land of marvel, mystery and diversity.
Qinghai Lake is a photographer and artist's paradise of mirrored pastel sunrises, azure beautyin midday and the indigo blues of sunset. The Bird Island on the western tip hosts hundreds ofthousand migrate birds, hovering over the sky or diving into the water. Great Lamasery ofKumbum (Taer Lamasery), still one of the living and the most important for believers, was builtin 1560. With Tsongkhapa, who found the Yellow sect of lamas and was born in here, allsolemn religious celebrations observed here to his honor. The excellent collection in Kumbumare an eyeful of classic Chinese-Tibetan architecture which has been preserved in bestcondition for centuries and its three typical Tibetan Supreme Arts developed by Kumbum'slama artists, that is evident in Yak Butter Sculpture, Frescoes and Embossed Embroidery.
The Qaidam, once been prosperous as the ancient Silk Road stretching across much of itslength, is an idea place for expedition. You can explore the 'end of the World', mystic 'LostCity' of which had been described by Peter Fleming in his news from Tartary and discover thebeauty of dazzling salt lakes.
The Mengda Botanical Reserve in Qinghai present a unique combination of plants and naturalstone sculpture. A wide variety of trees, shrubs and flowers from native to sub-tropicalblazes a rich exuberance of color. With its famed pond-Heavenly Lake, waterfalls and visiblewildlife, it is an idea for rambling and camping.
Along the Yellow River down to the southeast of Qinghai, Tongren has been familiarized as theHome of Tibetan Culture and Art. "Regong Art", originated in this place, mainly reflect TibetanBuddhist culture. This unique Tibetan culture legacy include painting, frescoes, thangkas,sculpture and architecture. Handing down from generation to generation, almost every manhere inherits the occupation as an artisan. These are just a few of the diamond attractions ofQinghai Province, the Qutan monastery, Bichan Daoist Temple, Great Donguan Mosque, andother scenic spots and historical sites still await you to explore.
Notes:
1. Yangtze River 長江
2. Mekong River 湄公河(瀾滄江)
3. the gobi desert 戈壁灘