2025 Haidong Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in March)

The Qilian Range stretches for hundreds of kilometers, like a natural Great Wall, separating the Tibetan Plateau from the Gobi Desert and China’s Loess Plateau. With peaks close to 6000 meters, it is an alpine wilderness where, if you’re lucky, you can catch a glimpse of the “ghost cat”, the elusive Snow Leopard. Mount Huabao, with its five peaks that rise just shy of 4500 meters altitude, is located in the Southern Qilian Range. It is not very popular with tourists, and the secondary peaks are rarely climbed. The landscape changes from the base of the mountain, where forests and shrubbery are intersected by mountain streams, climbing higher to alpine meadows where yaks graze and wolves roam, and culminating in the highest points with glacial valleys and jagged ridges and peaks. There are no tourist paths, and information found on internet is minimal, making hiking on Mount Huabao a challenging orienteering experience, therefore a GPS backed by topo maps and a compass are essential. We started the ascent on the north side of the mountain, from a lake called Dashitan. The north side is much more demanding, with a 2500 meters relative altitude, but much more beautiful. The first part of the climb follows the course of a river that flows through an old glacial valley. On the first day we passed by a farm and climbed to 3800 meters altitude, where we set our camp for the night. A shroud of mist enveloped our tent just before we settled in, but later the sky cleared and we enjoyed a warm and pleasant night, the best I ever had at this altitude, nestled on a pass, between some rocks, with the high peaks on one side and deep valleys on the other, billions of stars and a brilliant Milky Way hanging above us. The next morning we left our camp behind and decided to do a light and fast ascent of one of the nameless high peaks. We followed a secondary ridge, avoiding the snow and rock avalanche prone glacial circles. The climb was a difficult scramble, but there was no need for technical gear and by noon we were enjoying the glorious view from 4449 meters altitude. The permanent ice and snow, that only decades ago covered the mountain year round, is now reduced to patches on the north faces. During the descent we had the chance to make some friends at 3000 meters altitude. They were a group of locals looking for Cordyceps Sinensis, colloquially called “caterpillar fungus” in English and Yartsa Gunbu in Tibetan, which literally translates as “summer grass, winter worm”. Reaching the base of the mountain we were invited to have lunch at the farm that we passed by on our way up, and again by the guard at the gate on the edge of the lake. We were full, but the local hospitality is not something that can be avoided and the only payment they accepted was a promise that we will visit them again, which we plan to do in the future. #hiking #outdoor #adventure #mountaineering

This spring, plan a spontaneous getaway to the Fairfield by Marriott Haidong, a must-stay hotel. Imagine waking up to the first rays of sunlight gently filtering through the curtains. Open them to reveal quiet streets and the bustling Ledu District, a place where ancient charm meets modern vibrancy. 🌸 Cozy Comforts in Your Room Step into your room at the Fairfield by Marriott Haidong and be captivated by the warm and inviting atmosphere. The spacious rooms are thoughtfully designed, with carefully selected furnishings. Sink into the plush king-size bed, featuring a premium SERTA mattress, for a cloud-like sleep experience. The waffle-weave bedding feels like a gentle spa treatment against your skin. 🌞 A Bountiful Breakfast to Start Your Day Each morning, the hotel offers a rich and varied Chinese and Western buffet breakfast. Savor traditional Qinghai snacks, fresh juices, coffee, and tea. We especially recommend the crisp, green vegetables, a perfect way to energize your day. 🚗 Convenient Location for Easy City Exploration Located at No. 9 Wenhua Street, Ledu District, Haidong City, the hotel is close to the highway exit, providing easy access to Ledu High-Speed Railway Station and Xining Caojiabao International Airport. If you're traveling by car, the hotel's free parking is a welcome perk. Xinle Street Bus Station and Ledu Passenger Station are just a few minutes' drive away, making it easy to explore nearby attractions. 🚶‍♀️ Recommended Nearby Attractions - Ledu Ancient City: Just a few kilometers from the hotel, this ancient city with its charming architecture and rich history will transport you back in time. - Liuwan Painted Pottery Museum: A must-see for history buffs, this museum houses a vast collection of exquisite painted pottery, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the Qinghai region. - Nanliang Ancient Capital Ruins Park: Perfect for outdoor enthusiasts, this park features expansive green spaces and historical ruins, offering a tranquil escape. Choose Fairfield by Marriott Haidong not just for its comfortable accommodations, but also for the gateway it provides to the charm of Haidong. Every moment here will be a cherished memory.

Haidong is located in Qinghai Province. It is not only home to magnificent mountains and rivers, but also has a rich history and culture. Pack your bags and set off on a journey to this mysterious land. I. Itinerary Day 1: Explore the Tu Ethnic Culture in Huzhu Morning: Arrive in Huzhu County, Haidong, and head to the 5A-level Huzhu Tu Ethnic Park. Watch Tu ethnic song and dance performances, enjoy a traditional Tu wedding, and experience folk activities such as Anzhao Dance and Wheel Swing. Noon: Enjoy local specialties at a farmhouse near the Tu Ethnic Park, such as the Tu Eight Bowls, which include a variety of dishes such as Suhe Balls, Braised Pork, Vermicelli, and Kongguo Bread. Afternoon: Head to Beishan National Forest Park, stroll along the mountain boardwalk, enjoy the beautiful scenery of forests, canyons, and streams, and feel the charm of nature. Evening: Stay at a homestay in Beishan Scenic Area and enjoy a quiet night in the tranquil mountains and forests. Day 2: Cultural Tour of Ledu Morning: Head to Ledu District and visit Qutan Temple, known as the "Little Palace Museum on the Plateau". Admire the Ming Dynasty architecture and exquisite murals and feel the weight of history. Noon: Have lunch in Ledu City and try Qinghai's specialty noodles, such as Ga Mianpian and Paozhang Noodles. Afternoon: Head to Liuwan Painted Pottery Museum, which houses a large collection of painted pottery from the Neolithic period, and learn about the ancient painted pottery culture. Evening: Return to the city and enjoy local snacks such as Niangpi and Sweet Fermented Grains at the night market and experience the local nightlife. Day 3: Experience the Sala Ethnic Culture in Xunhua Morning: Head to Xunhua Salar Autonomous County and visit the Salar Ethnic Culture Village to learn about the history and culture of the Salar people. Noon: Enjoy Salar cuisine in Xunhua City, such as Hand-grabbed Lamb, Sanzi, and Youxiang. Afternoon: Visit Mengda Tianchi and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the alpine lake surrounded by forests, like a fairyland. Evening: Arrange your itinerary according to your return time and end your pleasant trip to Haidong. II. Transportation Guide External transportation: You can first arrive in Xining. Xining Caojiabao International Airport is close to Haidong City, and there are airport buses to and from the city. You can also take a train to various stations in Haidong City. Internal transportation: The attractions in Haidong City are scattered, so it is recommended to rent a car or charter a car for convenient and flexible travel arrangements. You can also choose local public transportation, but there are fewer buses, so plan ahead. III. Food Recommendations - Hand-grabbed Lamb: A Qinghai specialty, the meat is tender, not gamey or greasy. Sprinkle with pepper and salt and eat directly to experience the boldness of eating meat in large bites. - Niangpi: Smooth and refreshing, served with chili oil, vinegar, garlic sauce, and other seasonings, it is a must-try snack with a sour and spicy taste. - Sweet Fermented Grains: Made from fermented barley or wheat, it has a slightly sweet taste, is cool and refreshing, and has a cooling effect. IV. Notes - Altitude Sickness: Some areas in Haidong are at high altitudes, and you may experience altitude sickness when you first arrive. Prepare altitude sickness medication in advance, avoid strenuous exercise, and get plenty of rest. - Changeable Weather: The temperature difference between day and night is large, so even in summer, you need to bring warm clothing, such as a windbreaker or thick coat. - Religious Culture: Respect local religious beliefs and customs. Follow the rules when entering temples and do not take photos at will.

Dalijia Pass is located in Xunhua Salar Autonomous County, Haidong City, Qinghai Province. It is the boundary pass between Xunhua County in Qinghai and Linxia County in Gansu, and the S310 highway pass from Xunhua County to Linxia County. It not only has magnificent natural scenery, but is also suitable for hiking and camping. Here is a detailed guide to Dalijia Pass: 1. Basic Information ● Location: Xunhua Salar Autonomous County, Haidong City, Qinghai Province ● Altitude: 3,601 meters ● Highest Peak: Dalijia Mountain, 4,635 meters ● Transportation: Depart from Linxia County, take the highway for a while, then turn to the old road and go up to reach the destination. 2. Hiking Routes Dalijia Pass is a popular destination for hiking enthusiasts, with a variety of hiking routes. Here are some recommended hiking routes: ● Main Peak Route: Start from Dalijia Pass, go southwest along the prayer flag slope and the arrow platform, go up the valley between the two mountains to the boulder formation, pass the boulder formation and continue along the valley, go up the steep slope to the mountain ridge, go up the north slope to the main peak, then go along the ridge to the boulder formation, go down the stone slope to the valley, and then return to the pass along the original route. ● One-day Route: From Dalijia Pass to Baishiya, Ganjia Township, Xiahe County, the whole journey is 27.7 kilometers, taking 15 hours and 36 minutes, with an average altitude of 4,000 meters, suitable for high-altitude and high-intensity one-day crossing. 3. Main Attractions ● Wushan Pool: Located on the northeast side of the main peak of Dalijia, it is a holy lake on the plateau, with clear water, surrounded by snow-capped mountains and grasslands, and the scenery is very magnificent. ● Dalijia Mountain: The highest peak is 4,635 meters above sea level, the highest peak in Hezuo, and part of the Xiqing Mountains. 4. Precautions ● High Altitude Precautions: Dalijia Pass is at a high altitude, so keep warm, avoid strenuous exercise, and prevent altitude sickness. ● Safety Tips: The traffic conditions in winter are poor, and traffic accidents are prone to occur. There is no mobile phone signal along the way, so it is recommended not to pass through Dalijia Mountain unless necessary. ● Environmental Awareness: Respect the customs of the tourist destination, protect the ecological environment, and carry garbage bags with you. 5. Best Travel Time ● Summer: July and August are the best time for hiking and camping, with suitable climate and beautiful scenery. ● Winter: Although the temperature is low in winter, the snow scenery is magnificent, suitable for hiking enthusiasts who like challenges. Dalijia Pass is not only a place with beautiful natural scenery, but also an excellent place to test hiking and physical fitness. Whether you choose to climb the main peak or cross the pass in one day, you can experience different scenery and challenges.

💞Detailed travel guide for Sasolma Village: 📍Sassoma Village is located in Xiongxian Tibetan Township, Hualong Hui Autonomous County, Haidong City, Qinghai Province. It is located at the intersection of Haidong City, Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, and Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. The Yellow River flows through here. It is famous for its majestic mountains, dense woods, and clear Yellow River water, forming a picturesque scenery. [Station] Transportation Self-driving: Sasolma Village has become a popular destination for self-driving tours because of its beautiful natural scenery. Starting from Xining and driving to Sasolma Village, you can enjoy the autumn scenery along the way and feel the tranquility and beauty of nature. ⏰ Recommended travel time 🍂Autumn: The scenery in Qinghai in October is pleasant everywhere, and the autumn scenery in Shasuoma Village is particularly beautiful. The dyed forests, blue sky and white clouds form an intoxicating natural picture. Therefore, autumn is the best time to enjoy autumn. [SnowMountain] Recommended attractions [Mountain] Peak Viewing Point: Standing at the best viewing point on the top of Sasolma Village, you can overlook the lake in the distance and use your camera to record the beautiful scenery in front of you. [Scenic] Bank of the Yellow River: The bank of the Yellow River in Sasolma Village attracts many tourists to check in. The air here is fresh and the environment is peaceful. [Gym]Activity experience 🚶‍♀️Hiking: Visitors can hike in the mountains, feel the beauty of fallen leaves, and overlook the Yellow River. [Camping] Camping: Self-driving autumn camping continues to be popular. You can choose a flat place to sit down and camp, stay away from the hustle and bustle of the city, and enjoy the beauty of nature. [IceCream] Food recommendations 🍞Grass buns: Driving on the country roads around Xining, you can taste freshly baked straw buns with an attractive golden skin. 🍟Potatoes: The villagers in the fields are celebrating the harvest of potatoes. When the new potatoes are cooked and the lid is opened, the fragrance of the potatoes hits the nostrils. 📝Notes ✅Environmental protection: While enjoying the beauty of nature, please pay attention to protecting the environment and do not litter. ✅Safety: When engaging in outdoor activities such as hiking or camping, please pay attention to personal safety, especially near water bodies such as the banks of the Yellow River. 💞I hope this guide can help you better plan your trip to Sasolma Village and enjoy the natural beauty of this Bishuidan Mountain.

Hongshuiquan Mosque is located in Hongshuiquan Village, Hongshuiquan Hui Ethnic Township, Ping'an District, Haidong City, Qinghai Province. This mosque has a long history and a unique architectural style. Its exquisite brick carvings, wood carvings, and colored drawings are breathtaking. The architectural layout of the temple is rigorous and magnificent. As soon as you enter the gate, you can feel a solemn atmosphere. Hongshuiquan Mosque is not only an important place for religious activities, but also a treasure of local architectural art. It has witnessed the changes of the times and the inheritance of ethnic culture, attracting many tourists and scholars to visit and study. Its unique architectural style and profound cultural heritage show the perfect integration of Islamic culture and traditional Chinese culture.

Qinghai Haidong Ping'an Yi Yuanjia Village One-Day Tour Guide 🌿 Spring Outing Qinghai Tour (Haidong Ping'an Yi Hehuang Folk Culture Experience Place—Yuanjia Village) One-Day Tour Guide 🚆 Transportation: For a slow trip, choose Chengdu—Xining (it takes more than 10 hours to sleep, then transfer to a bus to Ping'an District Bus 🚌 (to Ping'an District Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital 🏥 cost 💰 8 yuan) transfer to a bus with Yuanjia Village/Ping'an Yi Hehuang Folk Experience Place cost 💰 2 yuan, commuting time is about 1.5 hours) Airplane ✈️: Chengdu—Xining (about 1.5 hours) arrive at the airport (take a taxi directly to the town, cost 💰 about 30 yuan) Beautiful Qinghai, good air, comfortable weather. Suitable for loop travel, this time checking in at a characteristic town, CCTV recommended Ping'an Yi Hehuang Folk Culture Experience Place—Yuanjia Village. There are many special snacks inside, and special cultural and tourism halls (be sure to go upstairs to have a look, there are many special old objects). You must go to the Hui Street to experience it, there are many Hui special snacks, fried potato cakes, fried oil cakes, spicy lamb hooves, fried cold noodles, beef ramen, lamb intestine noodles, sour and spicy noodles, lamb scorpion vermicelli, leek boxes, steamed cakes, biangbiang noodles, jiaotuan, stuffed meat, potato liangpi, fried chicken legs and other delicacies. You must try what you haven't eaten. If there are many people, you can go to the nearby Great Unity to eat firewood chicken! Then experience it, check in and experience the characteristic style streets, Tibetan-style buildings (red houses, yellow houses, very special and photogenic) At the entrance is a characteristic building, which feels like the old building style of Shanghai Beach but combined with the local Tibetan style. Quite unique. (Entering the first gate, you can also see many white pigeons, you can take pictures and take photos, and you can also buy pigeon food for feeding. Very interactive experience, 🈶 food 🕊 will stay on you. Close interaction experience! Then on the left hand side of the entrance is the characteristic yellow house, a characteristic silver shop (Yang Qinghe Silver Building) with very beautiful silver jewelry, a different characteristic style, silver jewelry lovers can take a look! Continue walking inside is the Hui snack street, many delicacies, you can check in and experience it! (It's not big inside, you can come out after a round, so half a day is enough for playing, very sufficient)

Ping'an Post Station has been a place of strategic importance with convenient transportation since ancient times. It was a focal point of contention between the Han and Qiang peoples, with three large-scale battles during the Eastern Han Dynasty. The area, known as Ping'an District in Haidong City, has been historically referred to as the 'City of Blood and Tears.' People longed for peace, hence the name Ping'an (meaning 'peace'). Now, it has become a tourist town with many Tibetan-style buildings and numerous local snacks, all run by local residents. It's quite nice to take a leisurely stroll and explore.

🌈Attraction Features: An ancient city in the area, a stop where Princess Wencheng stayed on her way to get married. ⛪️ It has local style, many local specialty foods, as well as general city foods, and also a children's playground and a petting zoo! There are two rows of big bells at the main entrance that you can ring freely, which is a paid and queued activity in the south! After entering the main gate, you can feed the 🕊 for 3 yuan per bag of feed! 🎟️Ticket Information: Free admission, charges for amusement activities

Qutan Temple (qú tán sì), located 21 kilometers south of Ledu District, Haidong City, Qinghai Province, at the entrance of Maquangou, faces the Qutan River, backs against the Luohan Mountain, north to Songhua Top, and south to Zhaobei Mountain. In Tibetan, it is called 'Zhuocang Lakang Guodandai', also known as 'Zhuocang Duojieqiang', meaning 'Zhuocang Vajradhara Temple', which was founded in the 25th year of the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty (1392), and is a Gelug sect monastery of Tibetan Buddhism. The temple is famous for its precious cultural relics and huge colorful murals. Qutan Temple is a typical early Ming Dynasty official architectural complex. Historically, Qutan Temple had jurisdiction over thirteen temples. Qutan Temple is the second batch of national key cultural relics protection units, and it is the most completely preserved and largest Ming Dynasty temple architecture in the northwest region of China.

Qutan Temple in Ledu, Qinghai, is a famous Tibetan Buddhist monastery and also the most completely preserved Ming Dynasty architectural complex in the northwest region. 'Qutan' is a Sanskrit word meaning 'Buddha'. ⛰【Travel Tips】 📍Detailed Address: At the entrance of Maquangou, 21 kilometers south of Ledu County 🚗Transportation Tips: Take the long-distance bus from Xining Bus Station (opposite the train station) to Ledu, about 80 kilometers away, with a journey time of around 60 minutes. 🕙Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday, all day, 09:00-17:00, no entry after 17:00 💰Ticket Price: 50 RMB per person 🌟Highlights: 1. The architectural style is quite different from most Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in Qinghai; it resembles more the Han Buddhist monasteries in the inland, earning it the nickname 'Little Forbidden City of Qinghai'. 2. It is divided into three courtyards: front, middle, and back, arranged along a central axis, successively featuring the Mountain Gate, Vajra Hall, Qutan Temple Hall, Baoguang Hall, Longguo Hall, and other major halls. Symmetrically on both sides of the halls, there are Stele Pavilions, small Bell and Drum Towers, cloisters, pagodas, subsidiary halls, scripture halls, and large Bell and Drum Towers. 3. The interior murals are over 600 years old, exquisitely brilliant, and worth appreciating 📌Little Tips: 1. Respect the temple etiquette, no loud noises or littering. 2. It is recommended to drive by oneself as the location is somewhat remote.

Haedong Qutan Temple Qutan Temple, 71 kilometers away from Xining, is located on the Qutan River. It is the most complete Tibetan Gelug sect temple in the Ming Dynasty in the northwest. The main hall is built after the Hall of Supreme Harmony in the Forbidden City. The monument "Long Live the Emperor" erected in the hall remains to this day. It seems to be enough to highlight its status. The most attractive thing is the murals in the temple. Many of the murals are very similar to the Renaissance composition style of the same period. Perhaps they were influenced by the fact that the northwest is at the intersection of Eastern and Western cultures. Judging from the overall architectural pattern, it has the regulations of a typical Chinese temple, which also proves its important historical significance in Sino-Tibetan culture, religious culture, and Eastern and Western exchange cultures. If you have already visited all the traditional tourist attractions in Qinghai and Tibet in the northwest, then this niche Qutan Temple should be your new choice.

The Liubayuan Village, known as the hometown of Chinese colored pottery, is located in Ledu District, Haidong City. Walking into the museum's lobby, hundreds of colored pottery pieces are displayed on the walls on both sides, which is very shocking and highlights the richness and brilliance of the Huangshui culture. The museum has not been open for long, the place is large, and the exhibition level is relatively modern, but the glass of the display cabinet and the light source are really average, which greatly affects the viewing effect. The placement of the exhibit labels is also not very professional. The 24 paintings of the Wanli Waterway Daochangjuan, which are the treasures of the museum, have no identification in the center of the lobby on the first floor. Some cultural relics in the exhibition hall are marked with triangular signs directly in front of the exhibits, which obstructs the line of sight. The main exhibits are still various types of colored pottery from the Majiayao culture, but I personally feel that the overall viewing effect is worse than that of the Linxia Museum. Let's talk about a few cultural relics that left a deep impression. The human head colored pottery pot, the facial features are very clear, the pattern lines are smooth, and it is very joyful; the golden pot in picture 9, the label is written as a golden pot, but it is so big and this color, it doesn't look like gold at all; picture 10 uses a whole wall to display various kinds of liquor in Qinghai area, and I found that I haven't drunk any of them; I didn't pay much attention to the stirrups in picture 11 at first, it was after reading the tweets of previous reviewers that I found this problem, it is currently recognized that stirrups first appeared in the Western Jin Dynasty, and they were single-sided, here directly made a pair, marked as Han Dynasty, it really makes people a little confused. In addition, there is a bowl of noodles that has traveled through four thousand years in the exhibition hall, claiming to be the first noodle in the world. Noodles can be weathered and preserved for four thousand years, which is really amazing. Although this is a new museum, the overall feeling is not very good. If you pass by here on your way to Qutan Temple, it's okay to take a look, but it's not worth it to come here specially.

On October 13, 2023, at 10:50 am, we arrived at the Liuwan Painted Pottery Museum in Haidong City. The Liuwan Painted Pottery Museum in Qinghai, located near the Liuwan site in Liuwan Village, Ledu District, Haidong City, Qinghai Province, covers a total area of 5830 square meters, with an exhibition hall area of 1500 square meters. It is a social science archaeology themed museum and also the largest museum in China that mainly displays painted pottery culture. The collections in the museum are divided into pottery, bone tools, stone tools, jade articles, and decorations. Most of the collections in the Liuwan Painted Pottery Museum in Qinghai were unearthed from the Liuwan Cemetery in Qinghai. The painted pottery unearthed is famous for its shape, decoration, and composition in Chinese painted pottery culture. Painted pottery accounts for half of the collections in the museum, and the number of painted pottery relics in the museum is second to none in China. According to the China Museum Yearbook, there are nearly 17,000 pieces of pottery, 932 pieces of stone tools, 76 pieces of bone tools, 18,246 pieces of decorations, and 1,366 other pieces in the Liuwan Painted Pottery Museum in Qinghai. As of the end of 2019, the number of collections in the museum reached 38,648 pieces/sets, with 267 pieces/sets of precious cultural relics. The painted pottery relics mainly include four types of ancient cultural types such as the semi-mountain type and the horse factory type of the Majiayao culture in the late Neolithic period more than 5700 years ago, and the Qijia culture and the Xindian culture, such as the naked human figure painted pottery pot, painted pottery boots, human head painted pottery pot, handle pot, frog pattern painted pottery pot, owl face pot and bone knives, forks, spoons and a large number of polished stone tools of the Neolithic Age, reflecting the unprecedented prosperity of painted pottery art in the plateau area from the late Neolithic Age to the Bronze Age. In September 2018, the Liuwan Painted Pottery Museum in Qinghai was designated as a national second-level museum. In May 2020, the Liuwan Painted Pottery Museum in Qinghai was selected as the 'Top Ten Boutique' award list of the '17th (2019) National Museum Top Ten Exhibition Boutique Promotion Activity', and the 'River Source Human Prehistoric Civilization - Qinghai Liuwan Painted Pottery Exhibition' promoted by the museum won the Excellence Award. This museum should not have many people usually. When we entered the exhibition hall, the security guard also took a few photos of us visiting the exhibition hall. We didn't understand the painted pottery, so we just took a quick look. But Xiaomengmeng was very interested in these painted pottery and the production process. She asked her mother to take her around several times and still reluctantly left. Until we arrived in Yuncheng, she still asked her mother when we would go to see that painted pottery again. At 11:20 am, we left the Liuwan Painted Pottery Museum, returned to Minhe County along the original road, turned into the G6 Beijing-Tibet Expressway, and drove to Lanzhou.

Gutham Temple, located in Gutham Township, south of Ledu County, Haidong Region, Qinghai Province, is a Tibetan Buddhist temple with an official palace architectural style, known as the "Little Forbidden City". According to historical books and inscriptions, this temple was built under the background of the Ming Dynasty supporting Tibetan Buddhism to rule Tibet. During the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1399), Zhu Yuanzhang strengthened the affiliation between the Ming Dynasty and the upper leaders of Qinghai by granting the title "Gutham", with the words "Established in the 26th year of Hongwu of the Ming Dynasty" on the right. The Hongxi and Xuande periods of the Ming Dynasty expanded it successively. The temple covers an area of 27,000 square meters, with the main halls such as the Vajra Hall, Gutham Hall, Baoguang Hall, and Longguo Hall arranged in order from the mountain gate. The stele pavilion, mural gallery, bell and drum tower and other buildings on both sides form a large-scale architectural complex. Entering the mountain gate, the first thing that comes into view is the Vajra Hall, which is the front yard of the temple. Going up the stone steps, you come to the middle courtyard, where you can see the Gutham Hall and Baoguang Hall. Gutham Hall is one of the main halls of the temple, where the statues of Sakyamuni Buddha and the Eighteen Arhats are enshrined. It is an important place for believers to come and worship. The Baoguang Hall enshrines the statues of Amitayus Buddha and Medicine Buddha, and is the center of the Medicine Buddha faith in the temple. Through the middle courtyard, the back is the backyard, where buildings such as the Longguo Hall are distributed. The Longguo Hall is the largest building in the temple, about 30 meters high and covering an area of 912 square meters. It is a place for holding Dharma meetings and gatherings. The carvings of the Sumeru seat and the scenery seat in the Longguo Hall are very exquisite, among which the more than two meters high elephant drum stone seat (commonly known as the elephant back drum) is the most prominent. In addition, the murals in the Longguo Hall are also one of the precious artworks in the temple. On the east and west sides of the temple are the large and small bell towers and drum towers. The large and small bell towers and drum towers are connected by a semi-open mural gallery, forming a mural gallery that is several kilometers long. The gallery has more than 50 rooms, 28 of which are full of large color murals, with a total area of more than 360 square meters. These murals are rich in content, with various themes such as Buddhist legends, Buddha statues, and pagodas. They are exquisite in painting skills, bright in color, vivid and lifelike, and very precious. In addition to the murals, there are many precious cultural relics in the temple. The most famous is the bronze bell cast during the Xuande period of the Ming Dynasty. This bronze bell is 2.5 meters high, 1.5 meters in diameter, and weighs more than 10,000 catties. It is known as the "Ten Thousand Catties Bronze Bell". The casting process of the bronze bell is very exquisite, with auspicious patterns and sutras carved on the bell body, and the sound is loud and melodious. In addition, there are many other Buddhist artworks and cultural relics in the temple, such as Ming Dynasty wooden Buddha statues, Qing Dynasty porcelain, etc. These cultural relics and artworks show the historical and cultural heritage of Gutham Temple and are important materials for studying Chinese Buddhist culture and art. In summary, Gutham Temple is an ancient temple with a profound historical and cultural heritage, famous for its large-scale architectural complex, precious artworks and cultural relics, and beautiful natural scenery. It is one of the important representatives of Chinese Buddhist culture and art, and a tourist attraction worth visiting.

Driving up from Xining you can reach a small mountain forest area in a rural valley. It will take you about 1.0-1.5h to get there. Especially in early spring you would run into other tourists and can enjoy the awakening forest in absolute peace. After passing the gate stop your car at some of the wooden trails and take some walks. In summer the forest will be at blossom but more crowded while in early spring you can still find residual snow. There are lodges and small hotels nearby which can be booked during summer all together with restaurants. When you come before the season you need to organize yourself and driving from Xining (and back) might be the best choice. At the top of the forest you will find a beautiful temple and after registration you can walk up to the top of the temple to enjoy the stunning view over the valley and up to the white mountains. Don’t forget to push the golden prayer wheels before you go down to thanks for this nice place. On your way back you can find more trails into the nearby hills and forests. #mountain #temple #qinghai

Qinghai, the temple, the sun sets, enjoy the peace and quiet. This is a quaint temple with a history of more than 600 years. It is the only official group building in the early Ming Dynasty in Qinghai. It is called the Little Palace It is the first to see it. The elegance of the brick and wood structure and the quietness of the long years are very warm, especially in the heart. It is peace. Sunset, I am roaming in ancient civilization...

For a long time, there is a misunderstanding of the Yellow River, thinking that the Yellow River water has always been turbid, not much to see the upper reaches of the Yellow River in Qinghai, the water is very clear. The Yellow River originates from the Bayan Kala Mountains in Qinghai Province and extends over 5,000 kilometers from Shandong to the sea. Xunhua County, Qinghai Province, is a Salar Autonomous County. This ethnic minority is known for its many snacks. Into the Salar family, is a traditional wooden house, a square courtyard, all kinds of snacks are exquisitely made, the color is attractive, and it feels completely inconspicuous with the roughness of the northwest region. The ingenious Salars have long discovered the peculiar beauty of the stones on the banks of the Yellow River. These stones have been further processed into a painting that has become a craft. The Yellow River Stone Art is the pride of the people of Xunhua, and built a Yellow River Stone Art Museum. The Yellow River flows through the river, the water flow is slow and clear, and the river has developed into a park. In the summer, the amount of water increases and the water is rushing. In winter, the river is cold and cold, and there are few tourists in the park. Only a group of sheep come to the river to drink water from time to time. From the source of the Yellow River to the Hekou Town of Tuoketuo, Inner Mongolia, this section is the upper reaches of the Yellow River. The water quality is generally relatively clean. We think that the sediment of the Yellow River mainly comes from the middle reaches, where there is the famous Hukou Waterfall.

Travel to Qinghai, don't miss the local gourmet restaurant and recommend the local Xiaoyuanmen restaurant. Here is a local halal recipe. Each dish has local characteristics. It is also the first time I have tasted such a delicious meal. It is definitely an experience that should not be missed.

The temple is located at Maougoukou, 21 km south of Ledu County, Haidong City, Qinghai Province. It was built in the 25th year of Ming Hongwu (1392) and is a Tibetan Buddhist Gelugpa monastery. This is the most complete and large-scale Ming Dynasty temple building in northwestern China. The reason why this temple was preserved for more than 600 years is that it has a lot to do with the Sanluo Lama Sandan Luos pursuit of helping the Ming government to settle Qinghai. In 1392, Zhu Yuanzhang sent troops to the northern part of Qinghai to trace the remnants of the Yuan soldiers. The local Tibetans also followed the chaos and formed a chaotic situation. The Three Luo Lama wrote and convinced by virtue, so that the Tibetan tribes returned to the Ming Dynasty. . This incident not only caused the Qinghai region to end the chaos caused by the change of the dynasty, but also made Zhu Yuanzhang realize the religious power represented by the Three Lama and his role and status in Qinghai. In 1393, the Three Luo Lama went to Nanjing to pay tribute and asked for the protection and name given to his temple. In fact, it was a small Buddhist temple at that time, because the monk of the temple, Sanluo, held the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang. The emperor gave a gold plaque entitled "" and ordered the granting of a temple. The four emperors of the early Ming Dynasty (Ming Taizu, Ming Chengzu, Ming Renzong, Ming Xuanzong) successively made seven passes, and sent eunuchs to craftsmen to build the temple in 36 years.