Overview of Qinghai Province

Qinghai Province (qīng hǎi shěng 青海省) is located in the northwest China, the northeast corner of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, which is part of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (qīng zàng gāo yuán 青藏高原). Qinghai Province, at 721,200 square kilometer, is the fourth largest province in China, following the provinces of Xinjiang, Tibet and Inner Mongolia. Qinghai has a population greater than 5.5 million, composed primarily of the Han group. However, 46% of the populations including minority ethnic groups are Tibetans, Hui, Tu, Sala and Mongolians.

Qinghai Province is a diverse and unique part of China. This magnificent Chinese province is part of what is often referred to as the “Roof of the World”. Its natural beauty and imposing vistas, as well as its diverse cultures and customs, all come together to extend an invitation for visitors from near and far to see for themselves what is available here.

Qinghai Province lies on the Northeast of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and borders upon Gansu and Xinjiang. A branch of the Silk Road goes off westward from Lanzhou (lán zhōu 兰州). Capital of Gansu Province, to Xining and Golmud in Qinghai Province, and then turns Northward to Dunhuang (dūn huáng 敦煌) to join the main Silk Road. The scenic spots and historical sites along this part of the Silk Road in Qinghai include Qinghai Lake, the Birds Island, the Salt Lake and Ta’er Monastery, etc. It’s the originating station of the Qingzang Railway, or Qinghai-Tibet Railway. All the train to Lhasa would stop in Xining to change for another sky train except the train from Beijing.