Best Places to Visit in Qinghai: Xining, Golmud, Qilian, and Delingha

Xining’s bustling urban life, Geermu’s plateau scenery, Qilian’s mountains and pastures, and Delingha’s vast Gobi desert—each place has its own unique charm. Whether you prefer the vibrancy of city life or the pristine beauty of nature, these destinations will fulfill your travel desires and allow you to experience a different side of Qinghai. Following are the best places to visit in Qinghai.

Top 1: Xining

The dazzling gem of the plateau, with its blue skies and clear waters, where mountains and rivers coexist in harmony. Xining, a modern city nestled in the heart of the plateau, is traversed by the Huangshui River.

Xining City, meaning "peaceful western frontier", alias "Xiadu", is the capital of Qinghai, located in the eastern part of the province in a valley basin along the middle reaches of the Huangshui River. As the eastern gateway to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Xining has always been a key hub on the ancient "Silk Road" southern route and the "Tang-Bo Ancient Road". Historically, it has been an important transportation in the northwest, earning the titles of "The Throat of the Qinghai and Tibet", and is also one of the world’s highest-altitude cities.

Wandering through the streets and alleys of Xining, the solemnity of the Dongguan Mosque and the grandeur of Kumbum Monastery showcase the city's rich religious and cultural heritage. The Danxia landforms of Beichan Temple are awe-inspiring, while the magnificent scenery of Riyue Mountain feels as though you can touch the pulse of history. Not far from the city is Qinghai Lake, with its vast emerald waters blending seamlessly with the sky, often called one of "China’s Most Beautiful Lakes". Standing by its shores, with snow-capped mountains in the distance and herds of cattle and sheep nearby, your soul feels as if it has been purified by the tranquility of the landscape.

Top 2: Golmud

The source of the Yangtze River nourishes the plants and creatures here, that is Golmud, the enchanting and magnificent Salt Lake City of China.

Golmud, a city under the administration of Haixi Mongol and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Qinghai, is located in the central-western part of the province, in the heart of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The terrain within the city’s jurisdiction is complex, generally divided into the basin plateau and the northern foothills of the Tanggula Mountains, with a total area of 119,263 square kilometers. "Golmud" in Mongolian means "the place with dense rivers". Historically, Golmud was an important station along the southern route of the ancient Silk Road, with the path of Wang Zhaojun’s journey into the frontier passing through here.

Here, there are the Kunlun Mountains, known as the "Ancestor of All Mountains", the Chaqihan Salt Lake, dubbed the "Thousand Feet of Salt Bridge", and the Hoh Xil, called as the "Forbidden Zone of Life". This is the homeland of the Tibetan antelope, the paradise of Tibetan wild donkeys, and the haven of wild yaks. With unique natural landscapes, such as glaciers, snowy peaks, wetland grasslands, desert poplar forests, and yardang landforms, Golmud is an ideal destination for appreciating plateau scenery, observing wildlife, and engaging in mountaineering and exploration.

Top 3: Qilian

When mentioning the Qilian Mountains, many people will think of the Hexi Corridor and the Silk Road, and also recall the young warrior god of the Han Dynasty, Huo Qubing.

Qilian County, under the administration of Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Qinghai, is located in the northeastern part of Qinghai. It is named after its position in the heart of the Qilian Mountains and is often referred to as the "Northern Gate" of Qinghai. It borders the Hexi Corridor to the north and connects to the Qinghai Lake passage to the south，marking the boundary between the northwest's grassland and desert landscapes.

Qilian is derived from the ancient Xiongnu language, where the Xiongnu referred to the sky as "Qilian", meaning the "heavenly mountains". The Qilian Mountains are thus known as the "Heavenly Mountains". The entire Qilian County is nestled between the sacred peaks of Amidoṅso Mountain and Zhuo’er Mountain, with beautiful rivers and mountains. It serves as a natural barrier in northern Qinghai, and the southern route of the Silk Road passes through this area. Everywhere you look, the red of the Danxia landforms, the yellow of the rapeseed flower fields, and the varying shades of green create a stunning contrast with the steep and rugged mountain peaks.

Top 4: Delingha

In the vast Gobi Desert of the northwest, there lies a tranquil little town. Though remote and far from the world, many people make the arduous journey to this place, just to catch a glimpse of the small city called Delingha.

Delingha, whose name means "Golden World" in Mongolian, is a city under the administration of Haixi Mongol and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Qinghai, located in the northern part of the province, on the northeastern edge of the Qaidam Basin, and at the southeastern foothills of the Zongwulong Mountain.

Delingha is vast in area, with breathtaking views of the Qilian Mountains and the Qaidam Basin, offering the grand and expansive landscape unique to the northwest. To the north of Delingha stands Cypress Mountain, majestic and towering, with ancient cypress trees flourishing. Tuosu Lake and Ke Luke Lake, one to the north and one to the south, one salty and one fresh, quietly sit to the east of the Qaidam Basin. Further east, the Da Qaidam Emerald Lake shimmers with emerald-colored waves, resembling a "Sky Mirror" in the form of jade.

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