Qinghai
From ChinaTravelGuide
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[edit] Overview
Qinghai is located in the remote Northwest China, bordering Gansu on the northeast, the Xinjiang on the northwest, Sichuan on the southeast, and Tibet on the southwest. Occupying an area of 721,000 km2, Qinghai is China's fourth largest province. The area is sparsely populated (ranked 30th with a population of 5,390,000).
Qinghai is known for its magnificent natural scenery and numerous scenic spots with historical significance. Group of ancient tombs, temples, rock paintings, and ancient castle dot the landscape of Qinghai, and offer a glimpse of what Qinghai gives.
Qinghai has a large minority population. Han Chinese, Tibetans, Tu, Hui, Salar, and Mongols have maintained a unique and colorful ethnic traditions, customs and practices.
[edit] History
Qinghai was only set up as a province in 1928.
[edit] Video
| Qinghai |
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| Qinghai is known for its magnificent natural scenery and numerous scenic spots with historical significance. |
[edit] Geography
Named after the Qinghai Lake, the largest lake in China, Qinghai is located at northeast side of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The area stretches about 1200 km from north to south, and 800 km from east to west, for a total area about 720km2. The average altitude is over 3000 m above the sea level.
The territory is covered by high mountains, rugged terrains, rivers and lakes. Kunlun Mountains cut right through the middle of Qinghai from east to west. Tanggula Mountains lies in the south, and Qilian Mountains stand in the north. The area is covered by vast undulating grassland. The arid Qaidam Basin, 560 km (350 mile) long and 160 km (100 mile) wide, is sandwiched between two branches of the Kunlun mountain range.
The two biggest rivers in China, Yangtze River and the Yellow River originate in Qinghai.
[edit] Cities
| • Golmud (格尔木 ) | • Xining (西宁) |
[edit] Other Places
[edit] Attractions
- The Great Mosque of Xining (清真大寺).
- North Mountain Temple (北山寺).
- Qinghai Lake, with an area of 4,573 km, is China's largest saltwater lake. The lake is located on the Qinghai-Tibet plateau, 3,620m above the sea level, twice the height of Mount Taishan, and twice the size of another famous lake in China, Taihu Lake. The surrounding area is made up of stunning rolling grasslands and home to the famous Bird Island.
- Ta Er Lamasery, or the Kumbum Monastery (塔尔寺), is located about 27 km to the southwest of Xining]. It is one of six Yellow Hat Sect monasteries.
- Mengda Forest Reserve (孟达林区), covering an area of 20 hectares, is known as the Xishuangbanna on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
[edit] Culture
[edit] Language
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[edit] Notables
[edit] Ethnic Groups
[edit] Colleges and Universities
[edit] Area and Postal Codes
| City | Area Code | Postal Code | City | Area Code | Postal Code | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golmud (格尔木 ) | 0979 | 816000 | Xining (西宁) | 971 | 810000 |
