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

I'm speechless 😶 about this place... it's impossible to describe with words Are You Ready???? Let's go!!!!! Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, located in the southeastern corner of Qinghai Province, China, covers an area of approximately 76,312 square kilometers (29,464 square miles). The prefecture is known for its stunning landscapes, including the Amne Machin mountain range and the sources of the Yellow River. The capital city is Maqên County. 📍Address: Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province, China 🇨🇳 Getting there: The prefecture can be accessed via road from Xining, the provincial capital. Travel times typically range from 8 to 10 hours by bus or car. 💰Average Price per Person: Entry fees for the prefecture are generally not required; however, specific attractions may charge fees that vary based on location. 💞Reasons to Recommend: 1. Cultural Richness: Experience the vibrant Tibetan culture through local festivals, traditional customs, and ancient monasteries. 2. Stunning Landscapes: Enjoy breathtaking views of mountains, lakes, and vast grasslands that define the region's natural beauty. 3. Biodiversity: Explore diverse ecosystems that are home to rare and endangered species. 4. Adventure Opportunities: Engage in outdoor activities such as trekking and exploring the scenic areas of the prefecture. 5. Photo Spots: Notable locations for photography include: - Amne Machin Mountain: The highest peak in Qinghai, offering dramatic views. - Gyaring Lake: A beautiful lake known for its serene environment. - Ngoring Lake: Another picturesque lake that is part of the Yellow River's source. - Rabgya Monastery: An ancient monastery showcasing Tibetan architecture. - Nianbaoyuze Mountain: A stunning area popular for hiking and photography. - Ice-Covered Areas: The region features many areas with ice formations and snow-capped peaks that provide excellent photo opportunities. Tips and Advices: Plan your visit during summer (June to August) for milder weather and vibrant landscapes. Be prepared for high altitudes; acclimatization is essential to avoid altitude sickness. Respect local customs and traditions when interacting with communities. Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture offers a unique blend of cultural heritage and natural beauty, making it a captivating destination for travelers seeking adventure and authentic experiences in one of China's most picturesque regions. It is crucial to preserve and care for these natural wonders to ensure their beauty and biodiversity are maintained for future generations. #Golop #china #tibet #qinghai #100waysoftravel #challenge #challenges #trip #tripblazers #tripmoments #travel #travelinspiration #nationalpark #mountainview #localguides

#earthdayjourney We visited the Yellow River Source Park and were deeply moved by its untouched beauty and significance. The park is where the mighty Yellow River begins its journey, surrounded by vast wetlands and snow-capped mountains. We explored the gentle trails that wind through the area, taking in the peaceful scenery and learning about the fragile ecosystem. This place is all about preserving water sources and respecting the earth’s natural lifelines. I would highly recommend this spot for anyone wanting to connect deeply with nature and understand why it’s crucial to protect our rivers 🏞️💧🌏 Address: Yellow River Source Park, Qinghai Province, Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Madoi County, China We explored the Zhaling and Eling Lakes, two stunning high-altitude freshwater lakes that left us in awe. These lakes are vital habitats for migratory birds and local wildlife. The local efforts to preserve these ecosystems through eco-tourism and limited access zones are inspiring. We spent hours watching birds, soaking in the silence, and appreciating how sustainable tourism helps protect this fragile environment. It’s a beautiful reminder of how Earth Day values can be practiced year-round 🐦🏔️♻️ Address: Zhaling and Eling Lakes, near National Highway 214, Madoi County, Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai, China We visited a small Nomadic Eco-Camp near the outskirts of Madoi, where we learned about the traditional Tibetan way of life and how it’s evolving with sustainability in mind. The camp uses solar panels, minimizes waste, and even involves visitors in preserving the grasslands. I would recommend this immersive experience to anyone who wants to travel meaningfully and support local communities. It was a journey that reminded us that living in harmony with the Earth isn’t just a concept—it’s a way of life here ⛺☀️🌿 Address: Nomadic Eco-Camp (exact GPS varies), south of Yellow River Source Park, Madoi County, Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai, China

How to get into Qinghai? We need a keener perspective to open the mysterious treasure box on this land. 1. The Source of Mountains and Rivers Qinghai is known as the source of mountains and rivers. On this roof of the world, the mountains are towering, steep, and magnificent. Tanggula Mountains, Bayan Har Mountains, A'nyemaqen Mountains... countless towering peaks are her hard shell, more like her unyielding spine. A'nyemaqen Mountains. Photo by Zhao Jinde. Qinghai is the source of the three rivers: the Yangtze River, the Yellow River, and the Lancang River originate here. The network of water systems is like blood vessels covering the earth, bringing vigorous vitality to the world. The source of the three rivers, where the water and sky meet. 2. National Parks Qinghai, a national park demonstration province, what a proud title! Looking across China, no other place can accommodate such a vast area of national parks. Sanjiangyuan National Park, Qilian Mountains National Park, Qinghai Lake National Park... The total area of nature reserves in the province reaches 272,900 square kilometers, and national parks account for 75.66% of the total area of nature reserves in the province. If you start your journey in Qinghai, you will definitely experience the shock and excitement that an ordinary park walk cannot bring. Starting from Sanjiangyuan, all the way southeast to Longyangxia, Kanbula Forest Park, the clear Yellow River, Lajia Ruins... If you are lucky, you might even see the snow leopard in person. Snow leopard. If not, please don't regret it. Along the way, you can enjoy the beautiful natural scenery and colorful human history. 3. Plateau Gem: Qinghai Lake This vast blue lake is known as the pearl on the plateau. Qinghai Lake in winter. It is China's largest inland lake and saltwater lake, and it is a treasure bestowed by nature. The phrase "harmony between man and nature" has a vivid embodiment here. Golden pastures by Qinghai Lake. A flock of water birds are active in the Qinghai Lake Bird Island wetland. Groups of naked carp. The annual Tour of Qinghai Lake International Road Cycling Race is a grand event for people in Qinghai to start their tour around the lake. Every summer, the world's attention will be focused here. Galloping along the lake. Dressed up to cheer for the Tour of Qinghai Lake. 4. Colorful Dreams The vastness of Qinghai lies in its vastness. Where is the beauty of Qinghai hidden? Perhaps in the paintings of nature. Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple... there is always a color that can capture your eyes and soul. Menyuan rape flower sea. Photo by Zhang Hailin. The poetic home of Longyangxia. Qarhan Salt Lake, like a jasper falling from the sky. Li Jiaxia Reservoir, the Danxia landform is as magnificent as a painting. 5. My Qinghai, My Home The beauty of Qinghai lies in its people. Han, Tibetan, Hui, Tu, Salar, Mongolian and other ethnic minorities have lived and thrived here for generations. The integration and coexistence of multi-ethnic cultures is our characteristic and our strength!

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.

#OctoberGoodDestinations2024 Donggecuo Lake is a natural attraction that looks like a fairyland, surrounded by magnificent mountains and clear waters, which makes people unable to extricate themselves. The scenery here is picturesque and it is a paradise for photography enthusiasts. 🌅 Walking into Donggecuo Lake, the lake water reflects the blue sky and white clouds, forming beautiful pictures that make people feel the magic and grandeur of nature. 🏔️ There are winding trails along the lake where visitors can stroll and enjoy the fresh air and the surrounding natural scenery. Whether it is the first ray of sunshine in the morning or the golden lake surface under the sunset, they are all enchanting moments. 🌄

From September to October 2024, I completed a self-drive tour of the Qinghai-Tibet-Xinjiang-Gansu Grand Loop. The journey took 53 days and covered 18,100 km. It included the Sanjiangyuan area, Bingchacha, Medog, the southern border area of Shannan, Qiangtang G216 Geze-Minfeng, Altay, the northwest border area, and the Hexi Corridor. I experienced sunny, cloudy, rainy, foggy, and snowy weather, dirt roads, stone roads, washboard roads, cliffside roads, canyon roads, snow-capped mountains, glaciers, deserts, lakes, mountain passes, the Ancient Tea Horse Road, Silk Road cultural relics, northwest border posts, and border guard posts. I never stopped moving forward. I will continue to prepare to visit more places and experience more of the dialogue between nature, culture, and history!

Donggecuona Lake, the most beautiful color in autumn. Donggecuona Lake, one of the three lakes in Guoluo Prefecture, is breathtakingly beautiful in autumn. Compared with August, the colors of autumn are even more beautiful. From Delingha to Maqin, it is still a joy to see from afar. Navigation: From Maqin to Delingha, navigate to Donggecuona Lake on Gaode Maps (currently, do not add "scenic area"), after getting off the expressway, there is a section of national highway, the road condition is good, you can drive to the lake.

🏕️ On the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the snow and ice meltwater from the Bayan Har Mountains slowly gathers in the narrow basin at the foot of the mountain. The snow is flying, and it passes through the star sea in the wilderness. On the top of the mountain, you can see the rushing river, and on the top of the peaks, you can feel the strong wind. ✅This is the source of the Yellow River described in ancient books. ✅The source of the Yellow River, which has been running for thousands of miles, is actually a small spring. The source of the Yellow River is a magnificent poem written by nature. ✅The surging water flow, from the initial weakness to the convergence into a magnificent river, can't help but marvel at the miracle of life.

Qinghai Trip 35 On June 29, 2024, at 08:45 Beijing time, the team of the Kokoxili Exploration Tour visited the Ling Gesar Cultural Expo Park located in Maduo County, Guoluo Prefecture, Qinghai Province. This place is one of the important origins of the Tibetan heroic epic 'Gesar'. The Expo Park is themed around King Gesar, with a bronze statue of his horse racing at the entrance. Inside the park, there are numerous sculptures and relief display walls, grand and magnificent, exquisite and colorful. Gesar is a part of local traditional folk literature in Tibet, Qinghai, Gansu, Sichuan, Yunnan, Inner Mongolia, and Xinjiang regions, and is one of the world's intangible cultural heritages. The Gesar culture mainly depicts the heroic deeds of King Gesar of the Lion Kingdom, who led the Ling Kingdom army to fight bravely, subdue demons, support the weak, and save lives, bringing peace to the people and returning to heaven in his later years. The epic integrates mythology, traditional folk songs, proverbs, and sayings, showcasing a majestic and colorful artistic style.

The Niutou Monument is about 90 kilometers away from Maqin County, with the last forty kilometers being unpaved roads. The total driving time is roughly two and a half hours. Although bumpy, it's all worth it when you stand on the summit of Mount Cuori Gaze, leaning against the Niutou Monument and overlooking Eling Lake The dirt road up the mountain is quite winding, with nine turns and eighteen bends, as specifically shown in Figure 7 navigation image. Fortunately, the slope of the mountain is gentle, so it's not too difficult if you're careful. Standing next to this rough, resolute, and majestic monument, you can feel the thrill and happiness of touching the source of our mother river. Overlooking the outrageously beautiful Eling Lake, the weather after the rain clears up, under the contrast of the blue sky and white clouds, the lake reflects a dazzling array of colors due to different depths and other reasons, under the sunlight, making it endlessly fascinating and longing To see Zhaling Lake, you need to cross over three or four more hills on the other side, but you can only see a corner of it. How much further you need to go to see the whole picture, I do not know During the trip, I also saw a lama walking on the mountaintop, exuding a sense of solemnity, devotion, and vastness; not far away on the hillside, a Tibetan woman sat casually on the ground, letting the breeze mixed with raindrops blow freely, quite comfortable The entire area of the two lakes and one monument is part of the Yellow River Park of the Sanjiangyuan National Nature Reserve. Due to ecological protection considerations, it is not open to the public and lacks any tourist facilities, preserving its pristine state. We were able to enter because of work reasons. The scenery is indeed stunningly beautiful, no wonder the uninhabited areas are so attractive, after all, the more remote and poorer the place, the more beautiful the scenery However, the inconvenience of transportation, serious altitude sickness, and lack of supporting facilities are also quite troublesome. It's better to leave this pure land in peace.

In the vast expanse of Western China lies a mysterious land known as the 'Water Tower of China'—Sanjiangyuan. It is the birthplace of the Yangtze, Yellow, and Lancang Rivers, where vast grasslands, meandering rivers, and towering snow-capped mountains weave together a magnificent ecological tapestry. Setting foot on this sacred land, every step is a profound appreciation of nature's beauty, and every breath is the purest conversation with the great outdoors. Must-visit attraction: Sanjiangyuan National Park • Address: Intersection area of Zaduo County, Zhiduo County, Qumalai County in Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, and Maduo County in Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province • Travel tips: Given the vastness and remoteness of the Sanjiangyuan area, it is recommended to depart from Xining, take a long-distance bus or drive to Yushu City, and then transfer to local vehicles or join a professional ecological tour group to enter the national park. Self-driving is the most flexible option, but high-altitude driving safety should be noted. Food Recommendations • Tibetan Tsampa: Roasted barley flour mixed with yak butter tea or water to form a dough, an indispensable part of experiencing Tibetan culture. • Yak meat: Grazed on the plateau, yak meat is fresh and delicious, whether stewed or grilled, it's a great source of energy. • Yogurt: Homemade Tibetan yogurt is moderately sour and sweet, rich and creamy, a delightful treat during the journey. Recommended Nearby Attractions 1. Hoh Xil Nature Reserve: A paradise for wildlife, where you may catch a glimpse of rare animals like the Tibetan antelope. 2. Nianbaoyuze: Known as 'the garden of the gods,' where snow-capped mountains, lakes, and grasslands create an incredibly beautiful landscape. 3. Qinghai Lake: China's largest saltwater lake, where in summer, the lakeside rapeseed flowers and the azure waters present an enchantingly beautiful scene. A trip to Sanjiangyuan is not only a feast for the eyes and taste buds but also a journey back to the soul. Here, you will deeply understand the true essence of harmonious coexistence between nature and humans. Every shutter click captures an unembellished ecological masterpiece. Are you ready? Let us set off together towards that distant and pristine land.

I believe 90% of people like to look abroad 👀 The sea of the Maldives, the mountains of Switzerland, the forests of Germany, the savannahs of Africa... Conversely, 99% of people can't deeply understand the description of China's 'vast territory and abundant resources, beautiful mountains and rivers' in elementary school textbooks as to what kind of scenery it is~ 🍃 This time I went to one of our own national parks—'Sanjiangyuan National Park' Situated on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, with an average altitude of 4500 meters Making it one of the world's highest, largest And most complete alpine ecological systems of natural heritage 🍃 Here we trekked all the way and witnessed Danxia landforms, snow peaks, deserts, glaciers, lakes, wetlands, and a variety of wildlife up close 🍃 ✅Wildlife paradise Sanjiangyuan area is one of the regions with the highest density of large carnivores in the world No need to go to Africa or America You can see a lot of wildlife right at your doorstep What kind of divine experience is that❓❗️ - Large herds of blue sheep, countless Tibetan hares and pikas, the massive Thorold's deer, the elusive musk deer, the Tibetan antelope with its young, the elegant black-necked crane, the running Tibetan wild ass, the expressive Tibetan fox, the adorable Tibetan gazelle, the bearded vulture, the peregrine falcon, the bar-headed goose, the ruddy shelduck, wolf packs... It's like stepping into 🏃 'Animal World' - My favorite is the Tibetan antelope's great migration every summer, the scene is truly spectacular Standing there at that moment, you can feel the wonder of nature very clearly❗️ - ✅Donggecuona Lake 'The lake surrounded by a thousand mountains', next to Qinghai's sacred mountain Animaqing A blue lake like a pool of seawater, with sunlight sprinkling on the surface✨ You can feed the black-headed gulls that nest by the lake (not afraid of people at all), and take photos 📸 that turn out great - The nearby wetlands have different colors of grass We also found traces of snow leopards in the Valley of Strange Rocks, and we followed the tracks and found a pile of snow leopard 💩 Felt a different kind of primitiveness and roughness from the traditional scenery~ 🍃 📋Strategy 🕘Best travel season: End of March - November 🎒Travel gear: Sun protection, warm clothing, windbreaker, hiking shoes/sneakers, backpack, trekking poles, water bladder, altitude sickness medication 🍃 ⚠️Tips ⭕️For observing wildlife, it is recommended to carry a long-focus camera/high-power binoculars. ⭕️At the end of the trip, you will receive a unique numbered visitor certificate, which can be used to collect stamps for a national park version 'passport', very meaningful~ ⭕️Familiarize yourself with the direction of the clock, many animals will appear while driving, and the leader will prompt the direction of the car's clock. 🍃 Due to the word limit, that's all for today's share! More stunning views of the Sanjiangyuan National Park will be updated later

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.

I used to hear about Yellowstone Park, Banff National Park, and Swiss National Park often because they are based on the Rocky Mountains and the Alps and the scenery is indeed beautiful. 🏞 But many people don’t know that we actually have our own national park! It is based on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the "Roof of the World", and the source of the Three Rivers. It has a vast geographical area and diverse ecology and topography! - This time I had the opportunity to come to Sanjiangyuan for an ecological imaging experience and record what I saw. - 🚶🏻‍♂️Visiting route Day 1️⃣ Take a flight to Golomaqin Airport, usually transfer in Xining-Lari Temple Day 2️⃣Maqin-Animachen-Donggecuo Lake-Maduo Day 3️⃣Maduo-Two Lakes and One Monument-Source of the Yellow River-Maduo Day 4️⃣Maduo-Animaqing-Maqin-Xining . Along this route, you can see various landforms including grasslands, lakes, glaciers, snow-capped mountains, deserts, etc., among which Animaqing is one of the four sacred mountains. The diversity of animals is also dazzling. The ones I encountered alone include Tibetan foxes, Tibetan wild donkeys, white-lipped deer, hunting falcons, buzzards, pikas, blue sheep, plateau wolves, white yaks, Tibetan antelopes, black-necked cranes, and so many more that I can’t count...but unfortunately, I didn’t encounter a snow leopard. - Of course, recording these beautiful images requires good equipment. This time I brought my Cannon EOS R5, which met my shooting needs: ✔️Full-pixel dual-core autofocus, which can detect people and animals, 20 frames/s high-speed continuous shooting, and five-level body anti-shake + lens anti-shake, so I won't miss every moment ✔️4500w pixels, even if the hand shakes and the picture is not well composed, you can crop it twice to improve the output rate ✔️With the Canon 100-500mm lens, the snow-capped mountains are within reach, and the animals are lifelike. I really didn't miss any of the scenes I wanted. - Finally, I have to praise Canon's display screen and direct output colors, which are delicate and exquisite, and you can shoot directly without making too many settings. Sanjiangyuan, see you next time~ - 📍Location: Sanjiangyuan National Park 📷Time: September 2023 🏔Altitude: 3000m-4500m

The Zaling Lake and Eling Lake at the source of the Yellow River are full of water and grass, and the smoke is vast. Here, you can see the unique wild plants of the plateau everywhere. Among them, the blue-purple flowers are the representatives of the Sanjiangyuan plants. The blue color is not only beautiful, but the more important role is that it can effectively resist the invasion of ultraviolet rays. The ecological environment in the reserve is very fragile. It is recommended not to litter at will, not to destroy the local ecological environment, and not to trample on the plants on the wetland at will when walking by the lake.

An accidental wrong choice of road, met Dorma at the top of the snow-capped mountains. Its deserted here. Several Tibetan villagers set up tents at the top of the mountain and lived in temporary homes at the foot of the snow-capped mountains. Living in such a world, there is no doubt a little loneliness, but it is equally memorable to enjoy the world's lowest and most beautiful landscape without any competition here.

Many people think that Niutoubei is the source of the Yellow River. In fact, the real source of the Yellow River is under the mountain of Bayan Kala Mountain in the southern plateau of Qinghai Province. There is only one source water outlet similar to the spring eye. Unfortunately, when we went, it was too cold...

The Yellow River Source Scenic Area is mainly composed of Eling Lake, Zhaling Lake and Niutou Monument. Zhaling Lake and Eling Lake are the two largest plateau freshwater lakes at the source of the Yellow River. The lake is more than 4,300 meters above sea level.