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

How long has it been since you last gazed at a starry night sky? Amid the hustle and bustle of the city, light pollution obscures the stars, but at Jiuzhi's Daughter Bay, you can rediscover that longing for the cosmos. That's why I stayed in a glass-domed stargazing pod perched 3,800 meters atop a mountain. 🌅 This is Daughter Bay, where the Yellow River curves into its most beautiful bend—like a bride lingering wistfully before her wedding. At dawn, the first rays of sunlight drape the winding river in a golden veil, its shimmering waters contrasting with the distant green hills and grasslands. Every snapshot here is a masterpiece. By dusk, the sunset paints the sky in fiery hues, casting a warm glow over the Yellow River, serene yet majestic. 🌌 The starry sky at Daughter Bay illuminates the night with vibrant colors, each star so vivid it feels within reach. Lying inside the stargazing pod, the moment the lights go out, the panoramic glass reveals the entire cosmos—utterly magical. 🌈 If you're lucky, you might even encounter a dazzling rainbow. After a passing shower, we were blessed with not one but two rainbows arching over the grasslands and the Yellow River—a stroke of luck we’re happy to share. 🏡 Beyond the scenery, there’s a charming Tibetan-style café where you can sip afternoon tea, soak in the views of Daughter Bay, and savor a rare moment of tranquility.

In Jiuzhi, Qinghai, there is a secluded paradise called Nianbaoyuze. Like a dazzling pearl embedded in the plateau, it is a place of steep peaks and clear lakes. Legend has it that this was the ancient battlefield of King Gesar, and every inch of land is steeped in history and mythology. 🌟Travel Guide: - Transportation🚗: You can first reach Xining, then take a long-distance bus to Jiuzhi County, and then charter a car to Nianbaoyuze Scenic Area. Although the journey is long, the scenery along the way is breathtaking. - Must-visit Attractions📍: - Fairy Lake: The lake is serene, reflecting the surrounding mountains and sky. The sea of flowers on the lakeside blooms in summer, like a fairyland. - Demon Lake: More mysterious and wild than Fairy Lake, you can enjoy different geological features by hiking there. - Rigamaco: A niche and tranquil lake, perfect for travelers who want to avoid the crowds and enjoy the peace. - Best Travel Time⏰: June to August, when the grasslands are green, flowers are in full bloom, and the climate is relatively pleasant. - Equipment Recommendations🎒: - Warm clothing, as the temperature is low even at night in summer. - Sunscreen, as the UV rays are strong on the plateau. - Comfortable hiking shoes for walking in the scenic area. - Precautions⚠️: The ecosystem in the scenic area is fragile, so please travel responsibly, do not pick flowers or litter; also, be aware of altitude sickness in the plateau area and avoid strenuous exercise. Nianbaoyuze is a beautiful painting given to mankind by nature, a place of poetry and distance deep in the soul. Step into this land and let your soul be purified and comforted by the mountains and rivers.🌈

The hotel is very spacious, two large suitcases can be opened, parking is very convenient, for self-driving, the room is clean and tidy, the bed is very comfortable, the service staff is very polite, the only drawback is that there is no breakfast

Datang Baiyu Temple to Guoluo Jiuzhi Datang Baiyu Temple is located in Jiuzhi County, specifically next to Provincial Highway 101, about 40 km from the sacred site of Baiyu's eight major practice departments - Nianbaoyuze Mountain; Baiyu Temple is located at an altitude of about 3,780 m, on a plateau with magnificent scenery. The terrain is unique, resembling a treasure-spitting rat lying peacefully, a truly auspicious place where blessings gather; It is a Tibetan Buddhist Nyingma temple with a long history and rich cultural heritage.

My journey to Nianbaoyuze National Geopark, tucked away in Qinghai Province, was like stepping into a dream. Known for its stunning alpine lakes, jagged snow-capped peaks, and vibrant meadows dotted with wildflowers, this remote Tibetan paradise offers a peaceful escape into nature. The centerpiece of the park is the majestic Nianbaoyuze Mountain, revered by the local Tibetan community as a sacred site. Surrounding the mountain are breathtaking turquoise lakes like Fairy Lake, which shimmer against the rugged backdrop. As I wandered through the valleys, the serenity and natural beauty of the area left me in awe. Tibetan Culture and Stunning Views The spiritual atmosphere is palpable here, with prayer flags fluttering in the wind and small Tibetan villages nearby. Hiking through the trails, I came across nomadic herders with their yaks grazing in the fields, adding to the park’s authentic Tibetan charm. Tips for Future Travelers: • Altitude: Nianbaoyuze is located at a high elevation, so take time to acclimate and be cautious of altitude sickness. • Best Time to Visit: The ideal time to visit is from June to September, when the wildflowers are in full bloom, and the weather is mild. • Prepare for the Elements: Bring warm clothing, as temperatures can drop quickly in the mountains, even during summer. • Photography: The landscapes are incredibly photogenic—don’t forget your camera for some stunning shots of the alpine lakes and mountain vistas. 📍 Location: Nianbaoyuze National Geopark, Qinghai, China #NianbaoyuzeGeopark #TibetanHighlands #AlpineLakes #QinghaiTravel #SacredMountains #TrekkingAdventures #ExploreChina #HiddenParadise #NatureLovers #TibetanCulture #OffTheBeatenPath #TripCoinsRewards

Nianbaoyuze is hidden in Jiuzhi County, Guoluo Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province, adjacent to Aba County, Sichuan. Located in the eastern section of the Bayan Har Mountains, its main peak stands proudly at 5369 meters. The mountain range stretches 40 kilometers long and 25 kilometers wide, surrounded by numerous peaks over 4000 meters. The cliffs here are steep, and the glaciers are majestic, like a poetic masterpiece of the earth. Hundreds of alpine lakes are scattered among them, like pearls left by fairies. The Fairy Lake is gentle, and the Demon Lake is enchanting, both infinitely poetic, making it a perfect sanctuary for the soul. ♥ Scenic Area Situation: To protect and restore the natural ecological environment of the Sanjiangyuan area, the Qinghai Provincial Tourism Bureau permanently closed Nianbaoyuze in April 2018. While appreciating the natural beauty, people should also pay attention to environmental protection, so that beautiful places can continue to exist. Although Nianbaoyuze is permanently closed, you can still take photos of this heavenly garden by starting from Jiuzhi County and traveling along the edge of S101. ♥ Other Options: For similar natural landscapes, you can consider visiting the Lianbaoyeze Scenic Area in Aba County, Sichuan. Lianbaoyeze, like Nianbaoyuze, belongs to a branch of the Bayan Har Mountains. Its Chinese name means 'Dignified Jade Peak,' and it is also known as Stone Mountain by locals. The peaks here are magnificent and magical, and the lakes are clear and blue.

Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, with its capital in Maqin County, is located in the southeastern part of Qinghai Province, China. It borders Gannan Prefecture and Huangnan Prefecture to the east, Aba Autonomous Prefecture and Garze Prefecture to the south, is adjacent to Yushu Prefecture to the west, and is bordered by Haixi Prefecture and Hainan Prefecture to the north; it is situated at the junction of the Amdo and Kham cultures, and is an important part of the Silk Road's Henan Route and the ancient Tang-Tibetan Road. It is the homeland of China's Gesar culture and a typical microcosm of the natural and cultural resources of the Tibetan Plateau. The average elevation of Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture is over 4,200 meters, characterized by a plateau continental climate. Within the territory of Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, there are peaks such as Amne Machin and Nyenbo Yurtse; there are the sacred lakes of Zharinamco and Eling, formerly known as Lake Bo, and their historical stories of Tibetan-Han intermarriage; there are famous ancient temples and cultural landscapes such as Ragya, Baiyu, and Chalang.

From Seda to Jiuzhi, along G345 into Baiyu Township, Jiuzhi County, over the Longge Mountain Pass at an altitude of 4398 meters. From here you can overlook the Guoluo God Mountain of Nianbao Yuzhe, a series of ancient mountain ranges that are the watershed of the Yangtze and Yellow rivers. Dozens of kilometers of snow-capped mountains are spread out like a scroll, a vast landscape, mountains outside the mountains, connected into a piece, the outline of the mountain ridge is either soft and graceful, or jagged, like a fairy naked between heaven and earth, without decoration but already beautiful. The clouds are undulating between the snow-capped mountains, where the clouds are, the sky shows a pure blue background, like the hand of a god, stroking the curve of the mountain ridge, heaven and earth! - The most beautiful scenery is always on the road. Arriving at the entrance of the Nianbao Yuzhe Scenic Area, a deserted and abandoned visitor center, a road-blocking car parked at the gate, a roadblock set up, and a closed notice board. It was already past three in the afternoon, the clouds were covering, the weather was getting darker, and it started to snow. Leaving for Jiuzhi County, the snow was getting bigger and bigger, and after driving slowly for an hour and a half, we safely arrived at the snow-covered Jiuzhi County Zhisong Qingduo Town.

The Ningyou Juenang Temple in Jiuzhi County used to be called the Ningyou Juenang Temple in Zhiqiong Songduo Town, Jiuzhi County, originally built in 1993. The scale is relatively large, and the temple is built along the river, which is very imposing. The buildings are scattered from the middle of the mountain and arranged downwards. It is very convenient to visit, and you can quickly enter and exit by walking or driving. There are fewer tourists usually, and the overall environment is very quiet.

Snowy pure land, mysterious Golog. Golog in Qinghai is a mysterious paradise on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Snow-capped mountains and grasslands, herds of cattle and sheep, the distant blue sky, the beautiful scenery along the way, and the hospitable Tibetan friends can soothe the soul. Nearby attractions: Animaqing Snow Mountain|One of the snowy sacred mountains, the main peak is 6282 meters high Nianbao Yuzhe|The place where the gods live, winding in Golog Upper reaches of the Yellow River|The place where it flows twice, with nine bends and eighteen turns Baizha Temple|A gathering place for Tibetan stone carving art Vast Maqin Grassland Getangyaqi Hotel, located in the midst of snow-capped mountains and grasslands, where you can encounter local humanistic customs and plateau snow scenes as soon as you step out. Quality and comfortable accommodation space, exquisite and rich dining experience, is a rare experience on the snow-capped plateau thousands of kilometers away from the city. First floor space: The No.1 quality Western restaurant in Golog, Qinghai; Rich drinks + stylish coffee shop; Second and third floor space 18 guest rooms (double rooms, standard rooms, parent-child rooms); meet various customer accommodation needs (including breakfast) Hotel address: Maqin County, Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province (opposite the special police team)