[2025 Maqin Attraction] Travel Guide for Animaqing Xue Mountain (Updated Apr)

When it comes to the four major sacred mountains in Tibet, people will think of Meili and Gang Rinpoche. But this time I came to A'ni Maqing Mountain, many people have never set foot on it. If you think this is Tibet, you are wrong. Actually, this is Guoluo in Qinghai❗️ - 🏔How to get there ✈️The general transportation is to fly to Xining, and then fly to Guoluo. 📍Navigate to 'Maqin County Snow Mountain No. 1 Tunnel', you can stop briefly, the snow mountain is within reach, and the glacier is under the snow mountain, but it is said that it has retreated 80 meters since the observation due to global warming! 📍Navigate to 'Weigele Dangxiong', you can walk closer to watch the sacred mountain, but the road along the way is particularly difficult to walk, all are rubble+curves+big pits, easy to get carsick and altitude sickness. - For Tibetans, the sacred mountain carries their faith. For me, it is already very lucky to be able to stand at the foot of the mountain and look up. - 📍Location: A'ni Maqing Mountain, Guoluo, Qinghai 📷Time: September 2023 🏔Altitude: Main peak 6282m

In April, kissed by the snow light of Animaqin, Qinghai Maqin rushed to Chengdu and Chongqing with the thousand-year-old story and the gift of the plateau~❣️ . ✨"Glacier Yellow River·Holy Mountain Maqin" 4️⃣.1️⃣3️⃣ in Chengdu Kuanzhai Alley, 4️⃣.1️⃣6️⃣ in Chongqing Nanping Wanda Plaza, "Greetings from Animaqing Snow Mountain" promotion meeting will unveil the secret veil🎭 The warm-up dance performed the Tibetan style, the glaciers and the Yellow River danced together in the promotional video, and in the stories told by the leaders and guests, the Gesar epic spanned thousands of years. The most delightful thing on the scene is to take a bite of the wild and fresh aroma of yak jerky, smell the snowy breath of handmade Tibetan incense, hold a thangka and feel the faith flowing from the tip of the pen. The intangible black pottery is rough and gentle, and the Tibetan honey is sweet like holding the sunshine of the snow mountain in your mouth. The purity of the direct supply from the production area will give you the illusion of being in the snow mountain meadow. . The "Secret Realm Light and Shadow Corridor" hides three stunning exhibition areas: the "Holy Land of Snow Mountains" where Animaqing pierces the clouds, the "Cultural Treasures" where the fiery eyes of Gesar rappers are captured, and the "Ecological Wonders" where Tibetan wild donkeys and prayer flags appear in the same frame. The 60 photographs are like doors to any place, making you fascinated even before you set foot in Maqin. . This spring, let Machen’s glaciers, epics and handcrafts bloom like a plateau flower amid the fireworks of Sichuan and Chongqing. Come meet us, put the greetings from the snow mountain into your stomach and take them home~💌

Location: Donggecuona Lake, Madoi County, Golog Prefecture How to get there: Take the JiuMa Expressway and DeMa Expressway from Maqin County and exit at Huashixia Town. How to enter: Make a reservation in advance. [Activities Overview] ✅ Ani Maqing, the "Sacred Mountain of Tibet" Location: Maqin County, Golog Prefecture Activities: Participate in a煨桑 (incense burning) ceremony with local herders and conduct snowline monitoring with conservationists. ✅ Nianbaoyuze, the "Garden of the Gods" Location: Jiuzhi County, Golog Prefecture Activities: Embark on ecological expeditions through hiking and horseback riding, witnessing the magnificent remains of Quaternary glaciers and diverse wildlife. ✅ Donggecuona Lake, the "Home of Snow Leopards" Location: Madoi County, Golog Prefecture Activities: Explore snow leopard habitats, search for animal tracks, and enjoy a light hike on the plateau to discover the survival wisdom of alpine plants. ✅ Dulan, the "Hidden Paradise for Wildlife Viewing" Location: Dulan County, Haixi Prefecture Activities: Spend a full day observing the three major feline species: snow leopards, Pallas's cats, and lynxes. 🍴Food Recommendations Yak Hot Pot: Fresh yak meat, warm and delicious. Tibetan Tsampa: A staple food on the plateau, offering a strong sense of fullness. Butter Tea: A traditional Tibetan beverage, essential for combating altitude sickness. 📅Recommended Travel Time Best time to visit: June-September, with mild weather, clear lake water, and the most beautiful scenery. Winter specialties: December-February, the lake freezes over, presenting picturesque snowy landscapes, ideal for capturing minimalist scenery.

Here is a travel guide to Animaqing Mountain: Preparation - Documents: Bring your ID card and other valid documents. If you are eligible for discounts, bring your student ID, senior citizen card, etc. - Clothing: Prepare warm clothing such as down jackets, windbreakers, thermal underwear, hats, scarves, gloves, and snow boots to protect against the cold in the snowy mountain area. - Items: Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, lip balm, moisturizing skincare products, a thermos, rain gear, high-calorie snacks, and common medications such as anti-altitude sickness medicine, cold medicine, stomach medicine, and motion sickness medicine. Transportation - Self-driving: Depart from Xining and drive along the Jingzang Expressway, Xihe Expressway, and Dema Expressway. You can park and enjoy the snow mountain before the Snow Mountain No. 1 Tunnel. You can also depart from Maqin County and head to the scenic area via Xueshan Township or Xia Dawu Township. - Car rental: Rent a car in Maqin County to Xueshan Township or Xia Dawu Township, costing around CNY 800–1,000. - Public transportation: There are three buses from Xining to Dawu Town in Maqin County every day, departing at 8:45 am, 9:15 am, and 6 pm. The journey takes about 8 hours. Transfer to another bus in Maqin County. Accommodation - Maqin County: There are many accommodation options, such as Xigang Aviation Hotel, offering good accommodation conditions and services. - Xueshan Township: Close to the snow mountain, such as the accommodation above the post office in Xueshan Township, with affordable prices but relatively simple conditions. - Xia Dawu Township: There is an accommodation with a dry toilet and container form, costing CNY 100 per room. You can see the snow mountain when you go out. Attractions - Halong Glacier: The longest and largest glacier in the Yellow River Basin, 7.7 km long, covering an area of 24 square kilometers, with a vertical height difference of 1,800 meters. It can be seen from the Dema Expressway. - Zhihaidai Pass: You can see Dangxiong Glacier, which is close to the glacier, allowing you to admire the grandeur of the glacier up close. - Xingxiu Sea: The Yellow River enters the Xingxiu Sea Basin, forming lakes and water bodies of different sizes, resembling stars in the sky. Notes - Altitude sickness prevention: The average altitude of the scenic area is over 4,000 meters. Take anti-altitude sickness medicine in advance, avoid strenuous exercise during the trip, and prepare oxygen tanks. - Respect culture: Animaqing Mountain is one of the Four Sacred Mountains of Tibetan Buddhism. Respect local religious beliefs and cultural customs, and do not damage the environment or disturb the lives of local residents. - Road conditions: Some sections have poor road conditions, such as the unpaved road between Xueshan Township and Xia Dawu Township. Drive carefully, and adjust your itinerary in case of bad weather.

Animaqing Mountain is located in the northwest of Maqin County, Guoluo Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province, in the hinterland of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. It is part of the middle branch of the eastern section of the Kunlun Mountains, about 200 kilometers long and 60 kilometers wide. The main peak, Maqing Gangri, is 6,282 meters above sea level, covered with snow and glaciers all year round. The natural landscape here is magnificent and unique, with the Yellow River winding around its southeast side, forming a unique geographical feature. Animaqing Mountain has a continental plateau climate, and the best time to visit is from mid-June to mid-August each year. During this period, the climate is relatively pleasant, suitable for outdoor activities and sightseeing. Transportation: From Xining, you can choose to drive along the S101 Xijiu Highway to Maqin County. You will pass through Guide and other places along the way, with a total distance of about 350 kilometers. After entering Maqin County, you can continue to drive to Dawu Town, which is at a high altitude, so you need to pay attention to altitude sickness. Accommodation: There are several accommodation options in Maqin County, such as West Hotel, Gesar Hotel, etc., with reasonable prices and high cost performance. Main attractions: Animaqing Mountain Geological Park: The park has Yin-Yang Kehe Scenic Area, Qinglonggou Scenic Area, etc., mainly featuring Quaternary glaciers, glacial landforms, and alpine karst landscapes, supplemented by Tibetan Buddhist culture. Laga Temple: Located in Maqin County, it is a historic Tibetan Gelugpa temple with magnificent architecture and many believers. Gesar King Legend: Maqin County is the hometown of the Tibetan hero Gesar King, and there are many cultural relics and legends related to Gesar King here. Hiking and Adventure: There are many hiking routes around Animaqing Mountain, such as navigating to the entrance of Snow Mountain No. 1 Tunnel and hiking about three kilometers to Zhihai Dai Pass, where prayer flags flutter and the scenery is picturesque. However, you need to pay attention to the intensity and safety of plateau hiking. Photography and Shooting: Bring a drone and camera to capture the magnificent scenery of Animaqing Mountain and the beautiful moments of glacier meltwater. Especially when flying a drone on a small slope next to the bay-style rest area, the view is excellent.

There are many sacred mountains in Tibet, but the most famous ones may be the four sacred mountains in Tibet 🏔 (Gang Rinpoche, Meili Snow Mountain, Amnye Machen, Gaduo Jowo). So the snow mountain Amnye Machen is as famous as Gang Rinpoche. It has an altitude of 6,282 meters and is covered with snow all year round❄️. It is a holy place for many Tibetan compatriots to worship, especially in the Year of the Horse, many people come to worship 🏔. Where to see it🚩The Amnye Machen Snow Mountain is located in Machen County, Golog Prefecture, Qinghai Province. It is one of the local landmarks. Starting from Dawu Township in Machen and going to Xueshan Township, there is a parking spot on the Dema Expressway where you can clearly see the snow mountain. What to see 🚩The snow-capped mountains are very majestic and shocking. There is a large Halon Glacier here, which can be seen right next to the highway. There are also alpine meadows in summer. It is especially beautiful if there are blue sky and white clouds. Notes: 1. The altitude here is over 4,000 meters, which is a high altitude area. Please walk slowly to prevent altitude sickness. 2⃣The ultraviolet rays are strong in high altitude areas, so be sure to take precautions against the sun. 3⃣If you want to get close to the snow-capped mountains, you must drive an off-road vehicle with four-wheel drive or above.

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.

Animaqing in Guoluo, Qinghai, Gang Rinpoche in Tibet, Meili Snow Mountain in Yunnan, and Gado Juewo in Yushu, Qinghai, are known as the 'Four Sacred Mountains of Tibetan Buddhism'. As a Sichuanese who loves to travel to the northwest, I see Animaqing almost every year. ❤Recommendation: Many people choose to leave the province via Guangyuan when going from Sichuan to Qinghai or Xinjiang. In fact, taking the Dema Expressway (Delingha, Qinghai - Maerkang, Sichuan) through Aba County in Aba Prefecture and Jiuzhi County in Guoluo Prefecture to Qinghai, especially to the Gobi area in Haixi, is shorter in time, closer in distance, less crowded, and has great scenery. The key is that you can see Animaqing, one of the four sacred mountains, and the Dongji Cuo Na Lake formed by the melting water of Animaqing. You will also pass by the twin sisters of Nianbaoyuze - Lianbaoyeze. 📍Detailed address: The parking area at the entrance of the No. 1 tunnel of the snow mountain nearest to Dawu Town, Maqin County. 💰Average consumption: 0 ⏳Play time: More than 0.5h 📝Tips: ①The parking area cannot be occupied for a long time ②The altitude of the expressway in Guoluo Prefecture is relatively high, 3500+ ③The expressway fee is slightly higher ④Sometimes you will encounter roads with frozen soil subsidence, which are quite bumpy.

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)

On the way from Dari to Animaqing, I met a lot of interesting people. Since I arrived at the county last night too late, I went out a little later today. Its sunny, and Im used to the sun. Snowy mountains. Along the way, there are snow and dry grass blending hills. This kind of mountain we call him Zebra Mountain~ When the locals and monks are taking pictures, the locals and monks have been watching us from a distance, and they are taking a photo~ its a long Panshan Road, Su Shushu said, as long as There will be surprises when you get to the top of the mountain. Uncle Su said that you can't be wrong.