Short Introduction to Qinghai Local Culture: History, Nation, Diet, Heritage, etc.

Qinghai Province, located in the western part of China and the northeastern part of the Tibetan Plateau, is named after Qinghai Lake, the largest inland saltwater lake in China. The province is home to various ethnic groups, including Han, Tibetan, Hui, and Mongolian. Qinghai is the source of the Yangtze, Yellow, and Lancang rivers, earning it the title of the "Source of Rivers" and the honorary name of the "Water Tower of China".

Qinghai is one of the birthplaces and key origins of ancient Chinese civilization, as well as a vital source of Chinese culture. The province is traversed by the ancient Silk Road, the Tang-Tibetan Ancient Road, and the Tea-Horse Road, which have contributed to the development of a multi-ethnic culture centered around the Kunlun culture.

Brief History

Qinghai Lake

Tens of thousands of years ago, ancient humans began to thrive and reproduce in Qinghai. During the Shang and Zhou-Qin dynasties, Qinghai was referred to as the "Xirong Qiang Land" and had close ties with the Qin Dynasty.

The establishment of Qinghai Lake dates back to the Han Dynasty. In 61 BC, the Western Han army advanced to the vicinity of Qinghai Lake. In 4 AD, Wang Mang established the Xihai Commandery in what is now Haiyan County, expanding the administrative control of the Han Dynasty to include the Qinghai Lake area.

During the Eastern Jin period, the Xianbei people's power grew, and they established local feudal regimes in Ledu and Xiping, controlling tens of thousands of Qiang and Hu tribes. Later, the Tuyuhun Kingdom, founded by a branch of the Xianbei, opened up East-West trade routes, making Xining a key transportation hub.

In the Tang Dynasty, Tuyuhun became a vassal state of the Tang. In the mid-6th century, the Tubo (Tibetan) Empire occupied Tuyuhun’s territory, bringing Qinghai under Tubo rule. The Tang and Tubo engaged in frequent battles, and eventually, Songtsen Gampo, the Tubo king, called for peace and married Tang princesses, central Chinese culture began to flourish in Qinghai. Finally, Qinghai became a crucial route connecting Lhasa and Chang'an, forming part of the Tang-Tibetan Ancient Road.

By the end of the Tang Dynasty, Tubo control over Qinghai was overthrown, and the region saw the rise of many small tribes in the vast pastoral areas, leading to a fragmented political landscape. Prior to the Yuan Dynasty, successive Chinese dynasties considered the western Qinghai pastoral areas as "dependency".

In the 13th century, Genghis Khan returned from Central Asia and led his army to conquer Xining, with the Mongols entering Qinghai. During this period, Qinghai's nomadic tribes enjoyed stability, and under Genghis Khan's support, Tibetan Buddhism gradually flourished in the region, with many monasteries being established.

After the establishment of the Ming Dynasty, the government promoted the barter system of tea for horses to strengthen national defense and control the Qiang and Rong tribes. The Mongols in Qinghai settled around Qinghai Lake, the Qaidam Basin, and the Yellow River bend, flourishing in livestock and power.

During the Qing Dynasty, the Fifth Dalai Lama traveled to Beijing to pay respects to the Emperor and was granted a golden tablet and seal by the government, officially recognizing the Dalai Lama's status. After the Qing Emperor Yongzheng pacified Xining, paving the way for the eventual establishment of Qinghai as a province.

Ethnic Minority

The Tibetan people are the largest ethnic group in Qinghai, with a deep love for the vast grasslands. They love horses, know horses, are skilled riders, and are brave and strong, embodying a spirit of valor and martial prowess. From the portable, durable, and easily assembled cowhide tents to their rough, hearty, and joyful folk dances, all of their traditions can be traced back to their nomadic way of life, moving with the water and grass.

The Hui people of Qinghai are descendants of traders who came along the Silk Road from countries like Arabia and Persia. They are a hardworking, brave, and intelligent people, known for their business acumen. Islam plays a dominant role in Hui culture, forming an essential part of Qinghai's diverse cultural landscape. Their culinary skills are exceptional, with beef and mutton as main ingredients, and they can create hundreds of delicious dishes.

The Tu (Monguor) people mainly live in the northern part of the Huangshui River and along the Yellow River in eastern Qinghai. They have a close relationship with the Mongols and are known for their ability to sing and dance, with unique folk arts such as the Anzhao dance and the wheel dance. Their rich oral literature and songs are an integral part of their culture.

The Salar people live along the Yellow River in eastern Qinghai and have their own language. Over time, they have merged with ethnic groups like the Han, Tibetan, and Hui. They are known for their hospitality, respect for formality, and skills in commerce, gardening, timbering, and leatherworking. One of their notable skills is rafting on the turbulent Yellow River, a technique they have perfected over the years.

The Mongols of Qinghai are one of the most integrated Mongol groups, known for their grassland culture and nomadic lifestyle. They practice Tibetan Buddhism while also retaining traditional Mongol sports like wrestling, horse racing, archery, as well as musical arts like playing the morin khuur (horsehead fiddle) and singing long tunes.

Special Festivals

Horse Racing Festival

The Lamp Lighting Festival (Galdan Namchot) is held on October 25th to commemorate the death anniversary of Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. On this day, Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in Qinghai and Tibetan households light butter lamps in their prayer halls, while people engage in prayers, circumambulations, and kowtows, lasting for five to seven days.

The Regong June Festival (Klu Rol Festival), which has a history of over 1,400 years, is a large-scale sacrificial performance unique to Tibetan and Tu ethnic villages. Held every year from the 17th to the 25th day of the lunar sixth month, people of all ages, dressed in their best clothes, gather along the Longwu River to perform rituals such as worshiping and welcoming gods, praying, bidding farewell to gods, and dragon dances.

The Monguor Bobo Festival is a traditional sacrificial event of the Tu (Monguor) people. "Bobo" in Monguor language refers to a ritual led by a priest. The Bobo Festival is held on specific dates such as the 2nd day of the 2nd lunar month, the 3rd day of the 3rd lunar month, and the 8th day of the 4th lunar month, in many Tu villages. The main ceremonies of the Bobo Festival include erecting banners, spirit dances, soul summoning, and divination.

The Nadam Fair is an ancient traditional Mongolian festival. Held in the months of July and August, during the peak of livestock's health, this event celebrates harvests and features exciting activities such as horse racing, wrestling, archery, and captivating song and dance performances.

The Datong Mountain Pilgrimage Festival is believed to have originated in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. Every year, on the 6th day of the 6th lunar month, the grand and mysterious pilgrimage ceremony takes place, and people pray for peace, good fortune, and favorable weather. During this time, the "Flower" festival and acrobatic performances are also held.

The Yushu Horse Racing Festival is one of the most grandiose events in the western China, especially the "Grand Festival" held every three years, which attracts over 100,000 participants. Prior to the festival, people from the Yushu area set up tents along the river valleys and plains to prepare for the grand event.

Diet Style

Around 80% of Qinghai's area consists of grasslands, home to local specialties such as yak, Tibetan sheep, Qinghai Lake naked carps, caterpillar fungus, and various wild animals, wildfowls, vegetables, and fruits. Qinghai is a multi-ethnic region, so its dishes, snacks, and pastries are diverse and each has its own distinctive flavor. The cuisine of Qinghai is primarily influenced by the Han and Hui peoples, with the two groups influencing each other. Their cooking techniques and seasonings blend together, and the culinary traits of the Tibetan plateau’s nomadic culture are incorporated, forming the main flavor profile of Qinghai cuisine. While Qinghai food is largely influenced by halal cooking, there are still some distinct differences. The cooking techniques are often simple and robust, with ingredients focused on beef, lamb, and local specialties. Common cooking methods include stir-frying, braising, roasting, steaming, boiling, and stewing. The flavors are characterized by sour, spicy, and savory tastes, with influences from Northern Chinese cuisine’s purity, Sichuan cuisine’s numbing and spicy heat, and Southern Chinese cuisine’s fresh and sweet flavors. This has led to the development of a unique culinary system with distinct plateau and ethnic features.

Cultural Heritage

Butter Sculpture

Qinghai, a land that hides countless legends. The towering Kunlun Mountains, the "mother of all mountains", give birth to the waters of the Three Rivers. Here, the civilization of thousands of years has been precipitated.

From the ancient and enduring myths of Kunlun, the exquisite and rich Liuwan painted pottery, the magnificent Lajia ruins, the mysterious and colorful Qijia culture, to the highest Great Wall in China—the Ming Great Wall on the Roof of the World, the Qinghai rock paintings that traverse a thousand years of history, and the grandiose Hot Springs ancient tombs… Qinghai’s cultural heritage is scattered like stars across the land.

As the "Water Tower of China", the Three Rivers Source, it is home to the northern " ecological security barrier of Western China", the Qilian Mountains. To the northeast lies Qinghai Lake, the "largest saline lake in China", while to the west stretches the "mother of all mountains", the Kunlun Mountains. This region is also home to the world natural heritage site of Hoh Xil and the "treasure bowl" of China, the Qaidam Basin… From lush grasslands to towering snow-capped peaks, from high mountain lakes to desert Gobi, from the Devil’s City to the Mirror of the Sky, Qinghai boasts an abundance of natural heritage.

With rich Tibetan arts, splendid Tibetan thangkas, unique Tibetan opera, profound Tibetan medicine baths, and the melodious "Hua'er" folk songs of Qinghai… This land has a long history, with its ancestors leaving behind dazzling cultural relics such as the Hehuang culture and the Rebgong culture, shining like stars in the sky.

Taboos

When visiting a mosque, it is especially important to maintain good hygiene. Do not spit on the ground, litter, smoke, sing, or shout loudly. The atmosphere must be kept solemn and respectful. The main hall of the mosque is generally not open for casual entry; if you wish to enter, you must seek permission from the management.

When visiting a Buddhist temple, do not touch Buddha statues, murals, ritual instruments, or other sacred objects. Avoid gesturing or pointing at Buddha statues, making negative comments, or making loud noises. Do not take photos without permission from the staff. When spinning prayer wheels or lighting incense to worship, always move from left to right, never in reverse. It is disrespectful to touch the heads or hats of Tibetan people or monks, and papers with Tibetan writing should not be thrown away carelessly or used as toilet paper. Stones with Tibetan inscriptions should be placed in a clean area and should never be struck or broken.

In Tibetan areas, do not casually chase or harm cows or sheep marked with red, yellow, or green tags, as they are likely used in religious ceremonies. When entering a Tibetan home, do not step on the door threshold, spit in front of others, or sit with your back to the Buddha. If a Tibetan person sticks out their tongue, it is a sign of respect, not mockery.

If you see butter lamps used for Buddhist offerings in a Tibetan home, do not light them with fire for smoking or destroy the candles. Always keep the area in front of the Buddha statues clean and do not use your own utensils to draw water from water containers. Do not enter a tent and make gestures, gossip, or point fingers, and never direct your feet toward a stupa, sneeze, or speak foul language in front of sacred objects.

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