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. Qinghai
Named after Qinghai Lake, the largest inland salt - water lake in China, Qinghai Province is located in the northeastern part of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau in western China. Qinghai covers an area of 720,000 square kilometers (about 278,000 square miles), which makes it the fourth largest province in China. Its total population is some 5 million, among which Han, Tibetan, Tu, Hui, Salar and Mongolian minority ethnic groups are represented. Visitors are not only fascinated by the traditional festivities of different minority ethnic groups, but also by their unique cultures and folk traditions. Xining is its capital. Qinghai's climate is characterized by short cool summers and long freezing winters. Due to drastic temperature fluctuations from day to night, summer may be the best time to visit Qinghai because this is when the road to Tibet, via Golmud is open and its climate is friendliest to its visitors. Snow-covered mountains, icy peaks, deserts, vast pastures and sparkling lakes mesmerize its visitors, while flocks of rare birds and animals dot this unique and colorful natural landscape. Two of Qinghai's biggest highlights, Kumbum Monastery (Kumbum Monastery), which is considered one of the six great monasteries of Gelugpa in Tibetan Buddhism and vast Qinghai Lake, attract nature lovers who enjoy camping, hiking and bird-watching as well as people who have a fascination with Buddhism. The 'Small Imperial Palace in Qinghai'---Qutan Monastery, snow - capped A'Nyemaqen Mountain and the 'Highland Xishuangbanna' Mengda Nature Reserve are also well-known all over the world. Culturally speaking, 'Repkong Art' displays the creative talents of the Qinghai people through painting.

. Xining
Xining is located on the eastern edge of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and the upper reaches of Huangshui River. It is the political, economic, scientific and technological, cultural and traffic center of Qinghai Province with an average altitude of over 2200 meters (about 7217 feet). The activities of human beings in this region can be traced to 2,100 years ago. During the Western and Eastern Han Dynasties, owing to its developing agriculture, Xining was paid more attention due to its economic and martial significance. As well as being the important hinge between the central plains and the western part of China in ancient time, Xining was the most common passing channel of the famous Silk Road. Until now, it is still the only road by which to enter the hinterland of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

At present, five districts, three counties and a national economic and technological development zone are under the administration of the local government. With a population of more than two million, Xining is the first city on the upper reaches of the Yellow River to achieve a population into the millions. There are about 37 nationalities living here, including Han, Hui, Tu and Tibetan. The local traditions and customs are influenced by these distinctive nationalities, in particular the Tibetan group.

Xining is also called the Summer Resort Capital of China for its cool summer. The region also provides a number of attractions making a visit to the area well worth considering. The scenery of the Qinghai Lake, situated within Xining, provides an escape from fervent cities and allows you to experience beautiful natural sceneries. The lake itself is quite amazing. The Birds Island, situated on the northwest of Qinghai Lake, is waiting to present you with an extensive array of birds. To the southwest of Xining, is the birthplace of the founder of the Gelugpa Sect. The gem of the Tibetan culture-Ta'er Monastery was built here. To the north of Xining is the Beichan Temple. Climbing the temple will reward you with a view of the city from the mountaintop. A site not to be missed is the Dongguan Mosque, one of the biggest mosques in northern China.

For most visitors both home and abroad, Xining provides a variety of delicious food and snacks. You can find some special meat products easily here for Xining is also a pasturing area. But, at the same time, don't forget that your health should be put on the first position. The popularity of the Xining region has been enhanced by convenient transportation and accommodation.

. Kumbum Monastery(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 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 Kumbum Monastery was built in 1577 more than 150 years after his death. Now the Kumbum Monastery is considered a sacred place in China.

In the Tibetan language, Kumbum 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 Kumbum 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 Kumbum 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 Kumbum 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.

. Koko Nor Lake(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.

. Golmud
The city of Golmud in Northwest China's Qinghai province is the biggest in the world, covering almost 125,000 square kilometers. But it will be famous for another reason, when the Qinghai-Tibet Railway rolls out of the station on its maiden voyage. The new line is the first rail link between the city of Lhasa in the Tibet Autonomous Region and the rest of China. As the longest mountain plateau railway running at the highest altitude in the world, it's also an engineering marvel.

. Maduo
Maduo in Tibetan it's means "The suorce of Yellow River".  214 km west from here it's Kariqu the real souce of Yellow Rvier. Maduo County is 4,300 meters above sea level, the highest settlements in the way.

. Yushu
Yushu prefecture, with an average elevation of about 4,000 meters above sea level, is one of the poorest and most isolated areas within the PRC. The prefecture seat, the town of Yushu Xian(3800m), is located approximately 880km south-west of the provincial capital of Xining (2700m). It is an area rich in natural mineral and forest resources and is characterised by vast grasslands covering high mountains and deep valleys. Three of the world's great rivers, the Yangtze, the Yellow and the Mekong converge just outside of Yushu Xian making it a particularly attractive tourist location during the warmer months.

Yushu though vast in size (267,000 square kilometres), is nonetheless sparsely populated (Population of about 253,000). Approximately 97% of the population are Tibetan, with the remainder being primarily Han Chinese. In rural Yushu the population is either fully nomadic or semi-nomadic with most being livestock herders and some farmers. Few have access to even the most basic services such as healthcare or education. Access to electricity is available only in the county seats and within the prefecture seat. Communication and transportation facilities in the area are also extremely limited. The harsh conditions are exaggerated with temperatures being as low as -35¡ãC for a number of months each year.

Villages consist of small clusters of families widely scattered over mountainous areas. During the winter months, many families live in the valleys in adobe-built homes. In the warmer months, families move to higher pastures rotating on the land with their livestock. Poverty rates are extremely high with many families experiencing insufficient food for at least part of the year.