The Monument Pavilion of the Yellow River Control Project Observation Deck is located on the commanding high ground of Hutai Cliff on the north bank of the Yellow River in Beishan Bay. The Ningguo Highway runs through the area, and the Yellow River suspension bridge provides direct access to the county town, which is just 2 kilometers away. The observation deck has now been fully landscaped, with towering poplar trees, weeping willows brushing the ground, evergreen pines and cypresses, and fragrant pear blossoms. In spring, birds sing...
Pear blossoms pile up like snow The fertile soil and abundant rainfall in the Sanhe area of Guide not only make it a major wheat-producing region in Qinghai, but also a bountiful land for melons and fruits. There are over fifty varieties of peaches and pears alone, earning it the reputation of being the “Land of Pears.” From a high vantage point, the Sanhe area appears as a sea of white—buildings and villages nestled among lush green trees with white pear blossoms and red flower buds. In spring, when the pear blossoms bloom and willow catkins brush against your face, visitors flock here. Friends, when you think of spring, no matter what scene comes to mind, you might just find it in Guide. Although Guide County may not be the first choice for visiting Qinghai, if time permits, it is definitely a scenic spot worth seeing.
Aerial View of the 4-km Artificial Long Dyke on the Yellow River at Beishan Bay The 4-km artificial long dyke on the Yellow River at Beishan Bay resembles a giant dragon lying across the land. After undergoing engineering measures, the narrowed riverbed flows eastward like a colorful ribbon. The north bank of the dyke, once a sandbank of the old riverbed, now features crisscrossing fields, a dense network of trees, mirror-like fish ponds, birdsong, floral fragrance, and rolling waves of wheat — a perfect spot for spring outings. Visitors can also come to the dyke for fishing, taking in the picturesque mountain and water scenery of this “Little Jiangnan” on the plateau, an experience that is truly uplifting. The winding Yellow River surges forward, making countless turns as it flows mightily eastward through the artificial dyke. It is this section of the man-made dyke that adds an open, majestic charm to the river, reflecting the broad-minded, strong, and straightforward character of the Yellow River, as well as the great achievements of the people of all ethnic groups in Guide.
The full name of the Exotic Stone Garden is Guide Yellow River Exotic Stone Garden, also poetically known as the “Naked Garden.” Covering an area of 50 acres, it took fifteen years to build and is located in Ge’erjia Village, Hexi Town, Guide County. It is a sizable exotic stone park in the Yellow River basin, adorned with ancient giant stones that are thousands or even tens of thousands of years old and towering century-old trees. It is also a culturally rich private garden on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The...
The Guide Plateau Leisure and Health Zone, a national 4A-level tourist attraction, was initially evaluated and recommended by the Qinghai Provincial Tourism Attraction Quality Rating Authority. It was subsequently designated as a national 4A-level scenic area by the National Tourism Attraction Quality Rating Committee in accordance with the People's Republic of China National Standard "Classification and Evaluation of Tourism Attractions Quality Grades" (GB/T17775—2003)...
Qianzi Lake is located in Guide County, Qinghai Province. It is part of the marshy lake group wetlands in the Yellow River source basin, covering a water area of 1.5 square kilometers, which is relatively rare among the wetlands at the source of the Yellow River. Late autumn is the best time to view and photograph the scenery of Qianzi Lake, where visitors can experience the unique gifts of nature. …
The Xijiadun Site is located in Group 1 of Xijiadun Village, Heyin Town, Guide County, Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province. The site covers an area of approximately 300×200 meters, with a cultural deposit layer about 50 centimeters thick. Pottery fragments are scattered across the ground, and ash layers are exposed on the cliff faces, containing numerous animal bones, pottery shards, and river pebbles. The pottery fragments include sand-tempered double-handled jars...
There are three Wenchang Temples in Guide, but generally, the term refers specifically to the Hexi Wenchang Temple, known in Tibetan as “Youlakang.” It is located on the eastern slope of the western platform of Xiapai Village, six kilometers west of the county town. The temple sits against the mountainous plateau to the west and borders the Yellow River to the north, with the Warm Spring River meandering northward in front of it. The Wenchang Temple was first built in the late Ming Dynasty (between 1590 and 1600). …
Guide National Geopark is a comprehensive geopark characterized mainly by its natural landform landscapes and geological relics, supplemented by diverse ecological landscapes and rich cultural attractions. It is located in Guide County, Qinghai Province, and comprises three main zones: the Ashigong Area, the Yellow River Valley Area, and the Mawu Gorge Area, covering an area of 554 square kilometers…
Zhanye Mountain Scenic Area Zhanye Mountain features a danxia landform, composed of red sandstone and conglomerate. In Tibetan, it is called "Zongmu Mayum," meaning "the beautiful ruddy queen." The development site of the Zhanye Mountain Scenic Area is located in Baba Town, Qilian County, adjacent to the Baba River, and faces the sacred mountain of the Tibetan region, Ami Dongshan (Ox Heart Mountain), across the river. Standing atop Zhanye Mountain, the view is extremely open…
Qilian Heihe Grand Canyon A winding, ribbon-like river surges ceaselessly through the deep mountain gorges. The canyon is dotted with glaciers, rugged rocks, lush trees, and abundant grass, creating a uniquely stunning landscape. This is the grand canyon located deep in the Qilian Mountains — the Heihe Grand Canyon in Qilian County, Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province. Stretching over 800 kilometers in total length, the Hei…
Guide Sandy Island is located in the northeastern part of Qinghai Lake, covering an area of 18.00 square kilometers. It is the largest island in the lake, approximately 13 kilometers long and up to 2.8 kilometers wide, standing 58 meters above the lake surface. Introduction Originally a small island in the lake, Sandy Island was formed by sand ridges protruding from the water and accumulating windblown sand, resembling a…
The Qilian Mountains are located on the northeastern border of Qinghai Province and the western border of Gansu Province in China. They consist of multiple parallel mountain ranges and broad valleys running northwest to southeast. Situated south of the Hexi Corridor, they are also known as the Southern Mountains. The western end connects with the Altun Mountains at the Dangjin Pass, while the eastern end extends to the Yellow River valley, linking with the Qinling and Liupan Mountains. Stretching nearly 1,000 kilo…
Xiataitai Site Located on a terrace about 1 kilometer north of Xiataitai Village, Zhamashi Township, Qilian County, Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. The terrace borders the Heihe River to the north. The site covers an area of approximately 140×100 meters, with unclear cultural stratigraphy. The ground is scattered with fragments of sandy red pottery from the Kayue Culture period, including single-handled jars, handleless jars, pots, and large-mouthed urns. It is a provincial-level...
Qinghai Qilian Heihe Source National Wetland Park is located in Qilian County, Qinghai Province, covering a total area of 63,935.62 hectares.…
Qilian Niuxin Mountain, also known as Ami Dongsuo Sacred Mountain, stands in the eastern part of the Qilian Mountain Range, approximately 2 kilometers southeast of Qilian County. This mountain peak, resembling a cow’s heart, is revered as “the God of All Mountains”—Ami Dongsuo. With its main peak reaching an elevation of 4,667 meters, although not the tallest among the many peaks on the Qinghai Plateau, Ami Dongsuo still boasts a relative height difference of 1,880 meters compared to Qilian County. In the middle section of the sacred mountain, vast stretches of green pine and cypress trees resemble a sea of green, stretching as far as the eye can see. Ami Dongsuo is a symbol of Qilian. It is famous for producing deer antler, musk, mushrooms, as well as gold, silver, copper, and iron. Hence, it has earned the title “Hometown of the Eight Treasures.”
Ancient Egou City is located in the town government seat of Egou, Qilian County. The city is 200 meters wide from east to west and 300 meters long from north to south. The remaining walls are 6 meters high and 6 meters wide. There is a battlement in the middle of the northern wall and at each of the four corners of the city. The city has three gates—east, north, and south—each 11 meters wide, all with barbicans. The "Xining Prefecture Records - Historical Sites" states: (Egou…)
Triangle City The Haidong Triangle City Ruins, located on the lush grasslands of Golden-Silver Beach northeast of Qinghai Lake in Haiyan County, Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province, is about 90 kilometers from Xining. Known locally as "Triangle City," it was the site of the Western Han Dynasty’s Xihai Commandery.…
Qilian Mountain Scenic Grassland Area
Triangle City Ruins The Triangle City Ruins are located in the sand dunes about 10 kilometers west of Hongshaliang Township, northeast of the county seat, approximately 55 kilometers southwest of the county center. The city is about 120 meters wide from north to south and around 200 meters long from east to west. Remnants of stone wall foundations still exist. It gets its name from an irregular triangular high platform in the northwest corner of the city, which stands 8.5 meters high. The site contains numerous pottery shards, broken bricks, as well as stone axes, stone knives, and stone spinning wheels on the ground, resembling the "Shajing Culture" type found at the Liuhudun Ruins. A provincial-level cultural heritage protection unit.