Mengda Tianchi

　　The Mengda Nature Reserve is located on the northern slope of the Xiqing Mountain Range, a branch of the Kunlun Mountains. A 20-kilometer drive east from Xunhua Salar Autonomous County in Qinghai Province brings you to its lush, towering beauty on the verdant southern bank of the roaring, winding Yellow River.

　　The Mengda Nature Reserve is located on the northern slope of the Xiqing Mountain Range, a branch of the Kunlun Mountains. A 20-kilometer drive east from Xunhua Salar Autonomous County in Qinghai Province brings you to its lush, towering beauty on the verdant southern bank of the roaring, winding Yellow River. The Mengda forest area spans over 140,000 acres, featuring undulating mountains and high elevations ranging from 1,780 to 4,180 meters. However, influenced by different monsoons from the east and west, the area enjoys abundant rainfall and a humid climate. The grass is lush, the forests dense — truly a rare green treasure on the plateau and a veritable natural botanical garden. Scientific surveys have identified around 600 plant species belonging to more than 250 genera in the Mengda forest. Many plants from subtropical, warm temperate, cold temperate, and subfrigid zones converge here. Among them are 42 genera that are widely distributed across the world. From subtropical Taiwan red cypress and warm temperate large-leaved lindera, to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau’s dragon spruce and large-fruit spruce, as well as the Qinling Mountains’ Huashan pine and kiwi, and the North China Plain’s bluepine and Liaodong oak — all thrive competitively in the Mengda forest. The nature reserve also boasts over 120 varieties of precious medicinal herbs such as ginseng, notoginseng, notopterygium, fritillaria, and eleuthero, along with more than 300 types of medicinal plants. Oil-rich plants like yellowhorn, red osier dogwood, wild cherry, and hazelnut, as well as many fine timber and fiber plants, are found in stunning abundance. Over 100 species of wild ornamental plants and flowers — including pearl bush, lilac, red azalea, hydrangea, crabapple, and rose — grow in rich diversity and varied forms all over the mountains. The area is also home to numerous rare animals such as elk, forest musk deer, roe deer, blue sheep, and even tigers and bears, along with more than 30 species of birds. No wonder it’s hailed as the “Xishuangbanna of Qinghai”! The Mengda forest is not only rich in vegetation and unique wildlife, but also boasts stunning, serene, and picturesque landscapes — a true natural gem. Jagged rocks, precipitous cliffs, and cascading waterfalls dot the region, while exotic flowers and rare plants fill the valleys. Peculiar stones such as “One-Line Sky,” “Flying Peak,” “Echoing Stone Wall,” and “Five Sons Worshiping Buddha Rock” rise in fascinating shapes and forms. Most enchanting of all is the “Tianchi” (Heavenly Lake) nestled deep within the mountains — a crystal-clear, radiant jewel shimmering in the landscape. Often shrouded in mist, it seems like a heavenly pool from the Western Paradise. This alpine lake covers approximately 266,400 square meters, with a depth of 30 meters. Its waters are crystal clear as a mirror, creating picturesque reflections of the mountains and shimmering waves. The view is breathtaking. As small boats glide across, the sounds of waterfowl and leaping fish add to the endless delight. Every visitor who hikes here is filled with joy and reluctant to leave. The “Tianchi” has always been the crown jewel of the Mengda forest.

　　Mengda, this green treasure trove, combines grandeur, spirituality, beauty, and wonder — achievements inseparable from the conservation efforts of the local Salar people. Today, the nation treasures Mengda even more. The State Council has long designated the Mengda forest as a nature reserve. Local authorities are building roads, laying stones, constructing hotels and sanatoriums, and systematically expanding tourist sites to allow more domestic and international visitors to enjoy Mengda’s magnificent scenery.