Xianmi National Forest Park

Xianmi National Forest Park

Xianmi National Forest Park is a national-level forest park.

Xianmi National Forest Park is located in the Xianmi Forest Farm, which boasts the largest forested area in Qinghai Province. In 1996, it was designated as a provincial-level forest park by the Qinghai Provincial Forestry Bureau. In 2003, it was approved as Xianmi National Forest Park by the State Forestry Administration. It lies in the northeastern part of Menyuan Hui Autonomous County, Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province, 30 kilometers from the county seat, Haomen Town, and 108 kilometers from the provincial capital, Xining City. To the north, it borders the Xiyanghe Forest Farm of Sunan County, Gansu Province; to the east, it neighbors Tianzhu County, Gansu Province; to the south, it connects with the Beishan National Forest Park in Huzhu County, Qinghai Province; and to the west, it adjoins Dongchuan Town of the same county. The park spans across three townships within the county—Dongchuan, Xianmi, and Zhugu.

The park is situated along an auxiliary route of the ancient Silk Road, enjoying a unique geographical location, pleasant summer climate, and beautiful natural ecology. Within the park, there is a rich ethnic culture, abundant historical heritage, and a harmonious blend of natural scenery and cultural landscapes, making it an exceptionally advantageous destination for forest tourism. Covering a total area of 148,000 hectares, the park is home to a diverse range of species and is divided into five major scenic areas: Ganglong Grottoes, Rhododendron Sea, Plum Blossom Valley, Donghai Grand Canyon, and Five-Colored Divine Lake. The forest coverage rate reaches 56.1%. The forested area features a wide variety of plant species, numbering over a thousand, including 12 species of trees from 5 genera and 4 families, mainly consisting of Qinghai spruce, Qilian juniper, white birch, purple birch, and mountain poplar. There are also over 60 species of shrubs from 18 genera and 10 families, primarily including rhododendron, Potentilla fruticosa, silverweed, barberry, and sea buckthorn. Herbaceous plants and ferns comprise more than 900 species from 211 genera and 4 families. Wildlife in the park mainly includes snow leopards, brown bears, red deer, blue sheep, blue eared pheasants, and marmots. Nestled in the heart of the Qilian Mountains and influenced by the Liulongling and Dabanshan mountain ranges as well as the Datong River, the park boasts unique natural geographical conditions, diverse ecosystems, and a rich array of biological, geomorphological, hydrological, celestial, and cultural landscapes. It is the largest primeval forest area in Qinghai Province. This mysterious land presents a perfect fusion of natural grandeur and gentleness, as well as artistic diversity and purity. As you explore deeper, you’ll encounter mysterious glaciers and snow-capped peaks, majestic and imposing mountain ranges, vibrant earth tones, ancient and vigorous primeval forests, vast and colorful alpine meadows, picturesque alpine lakes, deep and perilous valleys, and swift, turbulent streams and rivers. The area is also rich in cultural heritage, including the long-standing Tibetan Buddhism, the profound Huare culture, and the simple yet unique local customs—all of which are captivating and leave visitors enchanted and reluctant to leave. The park provides ideal conditions for eco-tourism and for people seeking to reconnect with nature and immerse themselves in borderland culture. It serves as a perfect destination for sightseeing, leisure, vacationing, science education, mountaineering and exploration, as well as recreational fitness activities.

The Forestry and Environmental Protection Bureau of Menyuan County, Qinghai Province, is the supervisory authority of Xianmi National Forest Park and is responsible for overseeing and guiding its development and construction. Based on the state-owned Xianmi Forest Farm in Menyuan, the Xianmi National Forest Park Management Office was established. It operates under the direct leadership and management of the Xianmi Forest Farm and is specifically responsible for the park’s tourism development and operational management. The Xianmi Forest Farm and the Forest Park share the same staff but operate under two different names, with the Forest Park maintaining independent accounting.