Population: 1,552,000

Area: 13,160 square kilometers (5,081 square miles)

Nationalities: Han, Tibetan, Hui

Administrative Division: 2 counties (Ping'an, Ledu); 4 autonomous counties (Minhe Hui and Tu Autonomous County, Huzhu Tu Autonomous County, Hualong Hui Autonomous County, Xunhua Salar Autonomous County)

Seat of the city government: No.229, Haidong Road, Ping'an Town, Ping'an County, Haidong Region

Useful Telephone Numbers:
Tourist Complaints: 0972-8612403
Weather Forecast: 121
Zip Code Inquiry: 184

Bank of China Haidong Branch: Lanqing Road, Ping'an Town, Ping'an County, Haidong Region

China Post Haidong Branch: Yangjiaqiao Road, Ping'an Town Ping'an County, Haidong Region

Location: Haidong Region is situated in northeastern Qinghai Province, neighboring Gansu Province in the east. The capital city of the province, Xining, is bordered by Haidong in the west.

History: According to archeological discoveries, this area was proved to be inhabited by human settlers. Before the Qin Dynasty (221BC-206BC), nomads of the Qiang lived here. In the early Western Han Dynasty (206BC-24AD), the troop of the court defeated the Huns in the west of the Yellow River, and a fortress was established in the city against the invasion of nomad groups.

Physical Features: The region is located in the transition area between the Loess Plateau and Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Medium and low mountains, hills and valleys constitute the main types of Haidong's landform. Offshoots of the Qilian Mountains stretch northwest and southeast through the region, together with the Datong River, the Huangshui River and the Yellow River.

Climatic Features: Enjoying a semi-dry continental climate, Haidong features arid and cold weather at high altitude, long sunshine times and great temperature difference during a day. It has an annual average temperature of 3.2-8.6C (37.8-47.5F). Its northern mountainous area is colder and valleys along the Yellow River and the Huangshui River are warmer. July to September gathers majority of the rainfall.

When to Go: May to September is the golden season to visit Haidong, especially in cool July and August when most places in China is extremely hot. Several local festivals and ceremonies are usually held during this period.

Special Local Products: barley wine, Tibetan carpet

Local Highlights: Nadun Meet of the Tu ethnic minority usually lasts over two months from the mid seventh lunar month to the Ninth in order to celebrate the good harvest and make wishes for the future. Hua'er Hui (Folk Song Fair) in Qili Temple (Formerly Cili Temple) will attract people from far and near to participate in the song fair in the sixth day of the sixth lunar month.

Scenic Spots:
Mengda Nature Reserve is located in Xunhua Salar Autonomous County, and the Mengda Tianchi is its core scenic spot. The Tianchi lake covers an area of 300 mu (49 acres) and the alpine lake complements well with the blue sky and emerald mountains and trees around, constituting the natural kingdom of plants in Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.
Qutan Temple located 25 kilometers (16 miles) south of Ledu County, is a building complex first constructed in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). It is a famous Tibetan Buddhist temple in Qinhai Province, but it bears more features of the Han Buddhism and its layout is similar to the Forbidden City in Beijing. The temple is famous for its cache of rare cultural relics, grand architecture and exquisite murals.
Other Scenic Spots: Beishan National Forest Park, Liuwan Site

Tourist Tips:
Xining Caijiabao Airport is about 7.5 kilometers (4.7 miles) from Ping'an County of Haidong. Buses to counties of Haidong Region are available from the Xining Long-Distance Bus Station in No.1, Jianguo Road in front of the Xining Railway Station. Along the expressway, Ping'an County can be reached from Xining for about twenty minutes.