Qinghai
Qinghai is in the northeastern part of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and its
name comes from Qinghai Lake, the largest inland lake in China. The
Yangtze, the Yellow and Lancang Rivers all have their origins there,
so Qinghai is also known as the birthplace of rivers. Qinghai is over
9,842 feet above sea level. It is rich in tourist resources and possesses
an ideal ecological environment. The people of the region have a unique
religious culture and traditional folk customs, which also makes Qinghai
a fascinating destination.
In the remote past, there was a branch line of the ancient Silk Road
which stretched west from Lanzhou in Gansu to Qinghai,
through Xining,
Golmud, and then north to Dunhuang, finally converging with the main
road. Along the Silk Road in Qinghai main scenic spots include Qinghai
Lake and Birds Island, the Salt Lake and the famous Ta'er Lamasery.
Xining
Located on the northeastern part of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Xining
is the provincial capital of Qinghai. It is the hub of Lanzhu-Qinghai
and Qinghai-Tibet Railways, and sits astride the main route to the
hinterland of Qinghai and Tibet. Xining is 7,463 feet above sea level
and is a typical example of a plateau city.
Qinghai Lake
Qinghai Lake is 10,482 feet above sea level, covering an area of 1,621
square miles. It is the largest inland salt-water lake in China. Birds
Island, Haixin Hill and Sand Island are also very attractive spots
to visit.
Ta'er Lamasery
Located at the southwestern corner of the Lusha'er Town in Huangzhong
County, Ta'er Lamasery was first built in the 39th year of the reign
of Jiajing in the Ming Dynasty. It is one of the six temples of Gelugpa
Sect of Tibetan Buddhism and the birthplace of Tsongkapa,
who was the founder of Gelugpa Sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Ta'er
Lamasery is a combination of Tibetan and Han architectural styles,
and it was built to suit the topography, sitting perfectly on the
slopes of the mountain. Every year four Great Prayer Festivals are
held on the 15th day of the first month of the Chinese lunar calendar.
Beautiful religious legends and mysterious stories of the three spectaculars
of Ta'er Lamasery are the butter sculptures, mural paintings and embroidery.
