The Xining City Wall, located in Xining City, Qinghai Province, China, has largely been destroyed. In the 19th year of the Hongwu reign during the Ming Dynasty (1387), Marquis Changxing Geng Bingwen built the Xining Guard City in the northwest of the old Yuan Dynasty Xining Prefecture site, featuring four city gates and four corner towers. In the third year of the Wanli reign (1575),...
Also known as "Hongjue Temple" or "Hongjue Si." It is located at the southeastern end of Hongjue Temple Street, on the east side of South Street in present-day Xining. According to the *New Annals of Xining Prefecture*, “It is within the southern gate of the city, formerly named ‘Miaohua An.’ It was built in the 23rd year of the Hongwu era (1390) and in the 10th year of the Yongle era, an imperial decree bestowed upon it the name ‘Hongjue.’” The temple was highly regarded by the imperial court during the early Ming Dynasty…
The Golden Pagoda Temple is located within the compound at No. 35 Hongjue Temple Street, on the east side of South Street in Xining City. It was built around the Ming Dynasty. During the Qing Dynasty, it served as a subordinate pagoda to the Ta'er Monastery. In 1958, the temple still had one ancient Buddha hall and nine monks' quarters, covering approximately one mu of land, but had no resident monks. Today, only the ancient hall remains, while the rest has been demolished. In 1985, the temple was returned to the Ta'er Monastery...
The architecture of the Xining Shanxi-Shaanxi Guild Hall is a highly influential example of traditional Chinese design in the Xining area of Qinghai Province. The Shanxi-Shaanxi Guild Hall served as a gathering place for merchants from Shanxi and Shaanxi provinces to foster hometown camaraderie and worship the God of Wealth. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, Shanxi and Shaanxi merchants left their homeland to engage in business abroad. To strengthen ties, support one another, enhance hometown bonds, exchange trade information, coordinate business matters…
Heiquan Reservoir is located on the Baoku River. It is a large-scale comprehensive water conservancy hub project primarily for agricultural irrigation, with additional benefits in flood control, power generation, and environmental protection. The reservoir has a total capacity of 182 million cubic meters. "A calm lake emerges from towering gorges" is the true portrayal of Heiquan Reservoir. Its 5.34-square-kilometer water surface perfectly reflects the green mountains and valleys on both banks...
Recently, the Datong Ming Great Wall Ruins have been included in the National Great Wall Conservation Plan. The National Cultural Heritage Administration has approved the emergency reinforcement project, and preliminary design and planning work is currently underway. It is reported that the Datong Ming Great Wall Ruins, stretching from the border between Datong and Huzhu in the east to the border between Datong and Huangzhong in the west, are the world’s highest-altitude Ming Great Wall ruins...
Located west of Qiaotou Town in Datong County, Qinghai Province, Dameishan is about 5 kilometers from the county seat. It stretches from Heilin to Jingyangchuan, encircling the southwestern part of the county, spanning over 50 kilometers in total. Covering an area of approximately 100 square kilometers, it faces off against Laoye Mountain. The Dameishan in Yunxi County, Hubei Province, is part of the Qinling mountain range. Situated in the southern part of Yunxi County, it...
Laoye Mountain, also known as Yuanshuo Mountain or Beiwudang Mountain, is located 30 kilometers from Xining City. It earned the name Laoye Mountain because the summit is crowned with Taiyuan Palace (also known as Guan Yu Temple), which houses a statue of the deity Guan Yu. The mountain is situated by the Sumulian River (also called Beichuan River) in Qiaotou Town, Datong County, 35 kilometers north of Xining. With its summit reaching an elevation of 2,928 meters and a relative height difference of nearly 5...
Guanghui Temple, originally named Guomang Temple, is called "Saikehoguanba" in Tibetan, meaning "the blessed land of the glorious dharma." It is located on the north side of Yamenzhuang Village, Dongxia Township, Datong County, more than 30 li from the county town of Qiaotou. Historical records indicate that Guanghui Temple was established in the seventh year of the Shunzhi reign during the Qing Dynasty. The founder was Tenzin Gyatso from Drepung Monastery in Tibet, with the dharma name Longba Tenzinbu...
Chahan River. A national forest park located in Bao’ku Township, Datong County, 50 kilometers from downtown Xining. Lush forests here cloak peculiar peaks and streams. The rhododendrons blooming in June add a touch of charm to the landscape. In winter, icefalls echo with uniquely shaped stone forests, creating a breathtaking sight. Chahan River…
The Yaizi Gully Scenic Area is located 53 kilometers from Xining City. It is a natural distribution area of Qinghai spruce, boasting beautiful scenery and designated as a national AA-level tourist attraction. Covering an area of 1,633 hectares, it faces Guanghui Temple across the river and receives over 100,000 visitors annually, making it a primary leisure destination for Xining residents during holidays. The Yaizi Gully Scenic Area resembles a winding, undulating…
Dabanshan Mountain (达坂: in Mongolian, meaning mountain pass or ridge) is located at the border between Datong County and Menyuan County in Qinghai Province, serving as a key transportation route from Qinghai to Gansu. Among the many mountains on the Qinghai Plateau, Dabanshan can be considered relatively minor, but its strategic geographical location has made it highly prominent on the plateau. The river valley areas on both the southern and northern sides of Dabanshan…
Driving 35 kilometers north from Xining along the Ningzhang Highway, beneath the towering Laoye Mountain, cross the No. 1 Bridge of Datong County, and continue along a straight concrete road northeast for 15 kilometers. Suddenly, a natural green barrier appears before your eyes—misty, graceful, and emerald-green like jade. The refreshing verdure...
Bashiya Cliff Site Located in Bashiya Village, Gou Township, Datong Hui and Tu Autonomous County, Xining City. The site covers an area of approximately 200×150 meters, with a cultural deposit thickness of 40-120 centimeters. The site is situated in the eastern part of the village, with most of it buried beneath the village. Pottery shards, stone tools, animal bones, and other artifacts are mixed into the village walls and ground surfaces. Some courtyards…
Qiaotou Park is located on the northern side of Qiaotou Town. Established in 1984, it originally covered an area of 150 mu and has now been expanded to 180 mu, accommodating up to 15,000 visitors at a time. The park is praised as one of the “New Eight Scenic Spots of Xining” for its solemn elegance, tranquil natural beauty, and delicate charm. Backed by undulating…
Formerly known as Beiwudang, also called Yuanshuo Mountain, it earned the name Laoye Mountain (Lord Mountain) because a Taiyuan Palace (i.e., Guan Yu Temple) was built at the mountaintop, housing a statue of Guan Yu. It is located by the Sumulian River (Beichuan River) in Qiaotou Town, Datong County, 35 kilometers north of Xining City. The mountain top stands at an elevation of 2,928 meters, with a relative height difference of nearly 500 meters, making it one of the towering and scenic peaks near Xining City.
Chaoyang Green Space — Xining Chaoyang Park In the densely populated residential area of Chaoyang, there is a great place to relax and unwind — Chaoyang Park. Here, the air is fresh, flowers and plants abound, trees provide ample shade, making it a paradise for birds and a heavenly retreat for people. The park was originally a sandy area in the Chaoyang region. In 1986, it was transformed into...
The Cultural Park is located on Haiyan Road in Chengxi District, covering an area of 230 acres. The park is divided into six major scenic areas: the Cultural Square Area, the River-Source Cultural & Folk Custom Area, the Children’s Play Area, the Flower Production & Sales Area, and the Park Management Area. A bronze statue of Wang Luobin, the "King of Western Songs," recreates the scene from "In That Faraway Place." Eight white marble columns around the music stage depict the eight wonders of the world...
The botanical garden is a natural park located in Xishan Bay, Xining. Originally just a nursery of the Xishan Forest Farm, it was expanded into Xining Botanical Garden in 1980. Covering an area of over 1,000 acres, it mainly consists of terraces and is divided into two tourist areas: upper and lower mountain sections. The upper part is a forested area, dominated by tree species such as spruce and Chinese pine. The tall fir trees...
Guide The Giant Natural Buddha is located on Beishan Mountain, north of Xining City. Also known as Toulou Mountain, Beishan features alternating layers of red and white rock, and got its name because it resembles an earthen watchtower rising from the ground. Introduction The Giant Natural Buddha is one of the peaks of Toulou Mountain. After years of weathering, the entire mountain peak looks from afar like a colossal Buddha, with a natural and serene expression. Towering high…