Bird Island

Birds seem to be the pet of almost all nature lovers. Maybe you have been enchanted by the sweet singing of birds in the dense forest. Or perhaps a feeling of adoration will fill your heart when you see birds flying freely in the sky? Then, what would you feel like when you sight flocks of wild birds spreading their wings over the broad lake? Here, on Bird Island, which is renowned as the kingdom and paradise of birds, you can savor this wondrous world yourself. Bird Island, which lies northwest of Qinghai Lake, one of the most beautiful lakes in China, is connected to the bank on one side whilst the others are surrounded by water. It encompasses two islands, one is Haixi Pi in the east, and in the west is the Haixi Shan, which is four times smaller than the former island but is where most of the birds of the lake congregate. When the spring and summer come, many birds fly from faraway mountains and deserts to breed here. In the noisiest months of April and May, their numbers can amount to ten thousand, 80% to 90% of which stop on the Haixi Shan and lay eggs there. With eggs interspersed all over the island, Haixi Shan is also called 'Egg Island'. Then why does the island attract so many birds? Because it has a flat physiognomy and mild climate, and is close to the water, which produces rich float grasses and fishes. The environment here is also very quiet, so it is a natural space for the birds to reproduce and inhabit. With the enticing natural scenery and so many beautiful wildfowl, Bird Island has been a must for many tourists traveling in Qinghai. The island has been listed as a national natural reserve mainly for the protection of birds here, but also provides an excellent place for the travelers and birdwatchers to visit. Travel tips: Transportation to the island is very convenient; you can travel by a sight seeing bus from Xining Railway Station, Qinghai Province at the cost of RMB 35, or by a coach from the Xining Coach Station, 250 m. (0.16 miles) south of the railway station, at the cost of RMB 25. As to the accommodation, the island is equipped with a hotel and restaurant as well as tent hostels and other entertainment facilities in the south.

Qinghai Lake

From ancient times to the present, whenever people mention Qinghai Lake they think of 'green lake', 'blue sea' or 'fairyland', because of the marvelous natural beauty reflected on it. As to the area, it is the largest inland and salt water lake in China. It is no exaggeration to say that Qinghai Lake is a miracle that is endowed by a deity. Outside, he circles the lake with four continuous mountains and extends broad grassland at the foot of them. Inside, like a master baker, he decorated the water with many little islands. All these natural attractions come together perfectly to form a Xanadu on earth to win many tourists' favor. Shaped like an ellipse, Qinhai Lake lies northwest of the imposing Qinghai Altiplano, 150 km. (93.21 miles) away from Xining in Qinghai Province. It reaches 28.71 m. (77.79 feet) at the deepest point but averages 19 meters (62.34 feet) overall. With an altitude of 3, 195 m. (10, 482.28 feet) high, the climate surrounding the lake is very cool. Even in the middle of the summer, the average temperature in the daytime is about 15C (59 F), which is why it is often selected as a summer resort. The lake offers year-round pleasure. Many prefer when it is a green and lively world. The mountains and grassland wear a green blanket with herds of cattle and sheep dispersed over the grassland. The bank is connected with stretching farmlands, which is prospering with blooming rape flowers and rolling with wheat waves, sending blasts of fragrance to the lake. The water of the lake is also very limpid, which reflects the pretty green mountains in the deep like a mirror. The color changes with time and varies in different depth of the lake, which produces a sense of mystery, hence the name 'Seven-Colored Lake'. As a result of the teeming fish on the lake, the mouth of the nearby river has a yellow color to it as the fish float close to the surface. Many birds are also attracted to this beautiful lake and bountiful surroundings, resulting in this place being a kingdom for birds' watchers. When the cold winter comes, the world becomes a bit quieter and duller, but the glamour of Qinghai Lake doesn't diminish much. At this time, the leaf-yellow mountains put on a new suit of clothes as they become blanketed with new-fallen snow. The snow and ice covered surface of the lake shines brightly in the sun, adding another degree of beauty to the lake. The famous 'Icy Fish' are very easy to catch at this time because they are confined by the ice. An interesting fact is that when a hole is dug in the ice, it is easy to trick the fish out of the water. The famous spots here are Haixin Shan (Hill of the Sea Heart), Shadao (Sand Island) and Niaodao (Bird Island), which are all islands in the lake. Each has their own wonders. Haixin Shan, also called 'Immortal Hill', has temples, lucid springs and green grassland on the island. It is said that Emperor Yang of Sui Dynasty (581-618) had particularly ordained officials to raise horses here. Shadao is famous for its sand scenery, which is also a good place for swimming. Niaodao is the kingdom of birds, which can amount to more than 10 thousand in the summer. Qinghai Lake is really a good place for travelers. Apart from embracing the heavenly beauty here, you can either stroll on the grass or ride on a yak, climb the sand hill or visiting the historic remains left on the Tang-Tubo ancient road or the Silk Road. If you are more sociable, the hospitable local people will warmly welcome you as you visit their homes and enjoy a taste of the Tibetan life. In addition, tents and various delicious foods are provided for the tourists in the pastures.

Ta'er Monastery

As the religious activity center of both monks and followers of the Yellow Hat Sect (also named Gelugpa Sect, a branch of Tibetan Buddhism), the Ta'er Monastery (Kumbum Monastery) is located in Huangzhong County, Qinghai Province, 25 kilometers (about 16 miles) away from the capital city of Qinghai Province - Xining. In order to commemorate Tsong Khapa (1357-1419), founder of the Yellow Hat Sect, the Ta'er Monastery was built in 1577 more than 150 years after his death. Now the Ta'er Monastery is considered a sacred place in China. In the Tibetan language, Ta'er Monastery is called 'gongben', which means '10,000 figures of Buddha'. During its long 400 years of history, it has gradually become a place of interest for its distinct ethnic color and native style. The whole area covers more than 144 thousand square meters (about 36 acres) with mountains surrounding it. It has 9,300 rooms and 52 halls. Just judging from these figures, you can imagine what a splendid place it is. The Ta'er Monastery is a group of fine buildings in a combination of both the Han and Tibetan styles of architecture on the mountain slopes. It has lofty temples and halls rising one upon another. The palace buildings, Buddhist halls, sleeping quarters, as well as the courtyards echo each other and thus enhance the beauty of the whole area. Among so many buildings, the Great Hall of the Golden Roof and the Great Hall of Meditation are the main parts. As the center core building, the Great Hall of the Golden Roof is in the middle of the monastery. Its colorful gates, which are different in length, are carved into various flower patterns and painted with multifarious fresh colors. The surfaces of the walls are covered with green ceramic tiles and embedded with countless pearls, agates, and gems, making the whole hall sparkle. Inside the hall, there is a silver tower built to commemorate Tsong Khapa. This tower is also embedded with many kinds of jewels and wrapped with ten layers of pure white Hada (raw silk fabric presented to exalted guests to express purity, honesty and respect) to show its grandness. In front of the tower golden and silver lights and old flasks are displayed with more than 5,000 small golden figures of Buddha surrounding them, which enhance the stateliness of the Tsong Khapa's statue in the shrine. In the ark behind the hall, the treasures of the Yellow Hat Sect are stored. They are considered very precious relics of the Ta'er Monastery. The Great Hall of Meditation is the authoritative institution for the religious organization of the monastery. It is the biggest structure and lies rightly in front of the Great Hall of the Golden Roof. Long and short pillars are carved with beautiful patterns and swathed with colorful felts on which there are embroideries and long narrow flags for decoration. Hanging from all four walls, there are lively and unique pictures of the story of Buddhism and religious life. A pure gold tower stands in the hall that contains the ashes of Tsong Khapa. The Ta'er Monastery is rich in fascinating arts. The famous butter sculptures, the barbolas, and the murals are considered to be the three most unique arts of superb craftsmanship.

Riyue Mountain

Situated 40 kilometers (25 miles) from southwest of Huangyuan County in Xining, Riyue (Sun and Moon) Mountain marks the boundary between the eastern agricultural area and the western pastoral area of Qinghai Province. From the top of the mountain there is a superb panorama of the beautiful landscape - both prairie and farmland. It is 3,520 meters (11,549 feet) above the sea level and is believed to be the only road to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Born with the name of Chi (Red) Ridge, the Riyue Mountain had been an important thoroughfare to western China for many years and a crucial link between Han and Zang (Tibetan) people. There is a legend concerning the mountain: In the Tang Dynasty (618-907), the emperor gave in marriage his daughter, Princess Wencheng, to the leader of Tibet, Songtsen Gampo to improve the relationship between the two nations. When the princess reached this mountain and took a break, she felt a surge of homesickness. She took out the precious Riyue Mirror given to her by her father because she was told that it would show her hometown while yearning for her home. But she resolutely threw down the mirror so as not to miss her country any more, and continued her journey to the west. The mirror was broken in two pieces shaped like the moon and sun. From then, the mountain got its name, Riyue Mountain. Highlights The Daotang (backflowing) River springs from the west of the Riyue Mountain flowing west to the Qinghai Lake (the largest inland salt lake in China). Again there is a well-known legend concerning the Princess Wencheng. When she passed by the mountain, her tears of homesickness dropped and became the Daotang (Backflowing) River. Its flow westward symbolizes the princess’s resolution to never return. In fact, it is the only river flowing from the east to the west in China. The Ri (Sun) Pavilion and the Yue (Moon) Pavilion were built on each side of the mountain pass in memory of Princess Wencheng. Vivid murals are painted to re-create the scene when the princess enters Tibet and her life there. In the twin pavilions, the Yue Pavilion particularly depicts the great pomp of the cultural communication Princess Wencheng brought to Tibet, including crop seeds, technology, medicine, and Buddhism. It was she who brought civilization to Tibet. The period from June to September is the best time to travel there with verdant grasses, wild flowers and tents on the slopes of the mountain providing the crowning touch to its plateau landscape.

Northern Buddhist Temple

Northern Buddhist Temple covers an area of 28,000 square meters (about 6.9 acres) and it leans against Northern Mountain (also called Tulou Mountain) in a northern suburb of Xining City, hence the name Northern Mountain Temple. Featuring Buddhist architecture and Taoist architecture styles it is renowned by its name 'A Bright Pearl on the Southern Path of the Silk Road. Northern Buddhist Temple was constructed in Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534) and it is the earliest example of religious architecture in Qinghai Province. It was built based on a natural faultage on the mountainside according to Danxia Landscape featuring stone alternating between softness and hardness. Looking up you can see the crag and looking down you can see the cleft. Only the temple hangs in the middle, hence its other name Xuankong Temple (Hanging Temple). It is the second largest Xuankong Temple in China. There are a total of 99 caverns with four layers including a single cave and cave groups inside Northern Buddhist Temple arraying from west to east. Residents call them the 'nine grottos and eighteen cavities'. They are connected by a plank road, which is built along a cliff, a small bridge, and a wandering corridor. Inside the caverns we can see frescos and sculptures carved on the wall. It is recorded that when Buddhism prevailed at the time, people were made to paint Zaojing design (a kind of decoration in the coping of the cavern) and the artistic frescos of Buddhism. These lifelike pictures comprise the contents of historical legend, fable, Buddhist ceremony and the chief of Buddhism. Inside some of the cave groups there are precious Tibetan Buddhism frescos. The temple is reputed as 'Xiping (the former Xining) Mogao Caves' and ranked as a National Key Protection Unit of Historical Relics. In the middle part of Northern Mountain there were two huge figures of Buddha called 'Lutian Jingang' (Dorje in the open air). One has already collapsed but the other is still well preserved. The remaining one is more than 30 meters (about 98 feet) high and from afar we can clearly see his head, body, legs and facial features. This figure of Buddha was carved by many of his believers based on the original sculpt and form, and to some degree it reflects the artistic style of the Tang Dynasty. At the top of Northern Mountain there stands a pagoda called Ningshou Pagoda, which is solid inside and is built of dark green brick. It has a hexagonal surface, five layers and turned up angles. When rainy days come, standing at Ningshou Pagoda you can see temples, groups of caverns and pagodas appear and hide alternately in the cloud and mist bringing us a sense of poetic and artistic imagery. This is an indistinct and boundless landscape renowned for its name 'Misty Rain of Northern Mountain' which belongs to one of Top Eight Scenic Spots in Xining City. At the foot of Northern Mountain there is a temple called 'Lingguan Hall' which was once ruined by war and rebuilt in 1915. There is Mountain Gate, Wing-Rooms at both sides, a Horizontal Plaque on which the character 'Lingguan Hall' is written hanging in the center of the hall. It is said that two apprentices of a renowned Buddhist were buried at the west foot of the mountain which local residents called 'Buddhist Tomb'. Since the Qing Dynasty whenever the Chongyang Festival (Double Ninth Festival) came, the civilians in succession went up the Northern Mountain to scatter paper on which was imprinted the Chinese character of '鹿' (deer) and '马' (horse) to worship the Buddha to imprecate safety and luck. Especially in recent years a great number of people gather together in Northern Buddhist Temple, which is decorated with lanterns and streamers in the evening of Chongyang Festival.

Dongguan Mosque

Situated in Dongguan Street, Xining City, Dongguan Mosque is the biggest mosque in Qinghai Province. It was built in 1380, and now boasts a history of more than 600 years. The Mosque is not only famous for its magnificent architecture but also as a religious education center and as the highest learning institution of Islam. Covering an area of 11,940 square meters (about 3 acres), Dongguan Mosque is built on a grand scale. Its style combines both Chinese traditional architectural art and Islamic architectural features. When traveling to the Mosque, the first thing you can see is the elegant arched door on which is written 'Dongguan Mosque'. On either side of the front door stands the Xuanli Lou (Xuanli Pavilion). The Xuanli Lou is special as the place where the Imams invite people to pray. It is 8 meters (some 26 feet) high, and consists of three floors which are hexagonal in shape. There is a square with an area of some 30,000 square meters (about 7 acres). The prayer hall is the main building in Dongguan Mosque. It covers an area of 1,136 square meters (about 0.3 acres). The whole prayer hall is resplendent and magnificent. It can hold more than 3,000 people at prayer at the same time. Since the Mosque was built, it has become an important place of worship and assembly for Muslims. When Islam's important festivals come round, tens of thousands of the Prophet's followers from every quarter come to participate in ceremonies and religious activities. On such occasions, the Mosque wears a festival mood.

Xining Laoye Mountain(laoye Shan)

Laoye Mountain is located at Qiaotou town of the Datong County, 35 kilometers south of Qinghai Xining city. The mountains are all high and steep and the scenery is beautiful. It acquires its fame because the Duke Guan temple was constructed on the mountain and there is the Duke Guan sculpture in the temple. The Limestone forms high peak grotto and canyon, the hills are steep and the cliff are precipitous. It has different scenery during the four seasons, and the vegetation growth are luxuriant; mainly consists of the spruce, willow tree, Chinese white poplar, Chinese tamarisk and many other types of bushes. The animals consist of wild cat, red fox, squirrel, marmot, snow chook and pigeon and so on. The flowers fair, pilgrimage mountain meeting and dancing and singing shows are held at the same time on the 6th of June every year attracting a lot of tourists to visit this place.

Xining Botanical Garden

Situated in the Xishan Bay of Xining, Xining Botanical Garden is a natural park with a total area of over one thousand acres. It was originally a nursery in the Xishan Forest Field and enlarged to be a botanical garden in 1980. It boasts two tourist areas, one is up the mountain, the other is down the mountain.The major terrain is mesa. Up the mountain is the forest area and has more than one thousand tree species including spruce, grease pine, ect.Lofty fir trees seem green pagodas and are erected and stretch to the sky. Thick pine forest keeps off the sky and sun.

Xining Chaoyang Park

Located at the residential areas of Chaoyang district in Xining, the park was originally a sand land and rebuilt a park in 1986. There has square pavilions archaized. Though it covers an area of less than ten square meters, fresh air, numerous flowers and grass and thick green trees make this exquisite small garden a paradise of birds and tourist attraction for visitors.The square pavilions are surrounded by greenhouse and flower garden with various species of flowers.

Qinghai Province Museum

Located in the city center of Xining, the capital of Qinghai province, Qinghai Province Museum was once the mansion of warlord Ma Bufang .In an area of some 30,000 square meters, it was listed as the key cultural relics under the protection of Qinghai province. It has a collection of Chinese ancient stoneware, bone ware, crockery, copper ware, copper stamp, Persia silver , sutra and so on for your visit.