Population: 360,000

Area: 325,800 square kilometers (125,792 square miles)

Nationalities: Tibetan, Mongol, Han

Administrative Division: 3 administrative committees (Lenghu, Dachaidan, Mangya); 3 counties (Wulan, Dulan, Tianjun); 2 county-level cities (Delingha, Golmud)

Useful Telephone Numbers:
Tourist Complaints: 0977-8222015
Weather Forecast: 121
Zip Code Inquiry: 184

Location: Haixi Mongol and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture is located in the west of Qinghai Province, northern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The prefecture neighbors Gansu in the north and Xinjiang in the west. The government is seated in Delingha City, 514 kilometers (319 miles) from the capital city of Qinghai, Xining.

History: Haixi Prefecture was inhabited by the Qiang, a minority in northwest China in ancient times. In Tang Dynasty (618-907), it was ruled by Tubo Kingdom until the Song Dynasty (960-1279). Then, this area was partly belonged to the Tubo Kingdom and partly governed by the Yuan (1271-1368) Government.

Physical Features: The Qaidam Basin, encircled by the Kunlun Mountains, Aeoin Mountains and Qilian Mountains, and the plateau at the north foot of the Tanggula Mountains constitute the main landform of the prefecture with ring and zonal distribution of the alp, hill, Gobi, plain and lake. The terrain inclines southeastward from the northwest.

Climatic Features: Belonging to continental plateau climate, Haixi is dry and seldom rainy all the year round. Seasons of this area are not clear. Winter is chilly and long, while summer is cool but short. Most of the rainfall concentrates on the period from May to September.

When to Go: May to September is the best season to Haixi, especially in summer.

Local Highlights: Nadam Fair is held every year in prairie of Qingshuihe in Golmud City.

Special Local Products: Thangka Painting, folk embroidery, bulb of fritillary, licorice root

Scenic Spots:
Dulan International Game Land: Covering an area of over 44,000 hectares (170 square miles), the game land has two hunts. It is opened to the public every year during April to May and September to October.
Headwaters of Yangtze River: Nearby the Geladandong Peak and Tuotuo River, the source area of the Yangtze River also has the first river across the great river.
Chaerhan Salt Lake (Qarhan Salt Lake): It is the largest salt lake in China. The 32 kilometers (20 miles) long 'Wan Zhang Salt Bridge' is the most famous attraction of the lake.
Qaidam Basin: Apart from numerous salt lakes, the most typical and significant Ya-dang landform in the northwest of the basin brings the Qaidam more fame. Visitors can go to the Lenghu Administrative Committee area for the Ya-dang scenery.

Tourist Tips:
1. Golmud Airport is 10 kilometers (6 miles) west of the downtown of Golmud City, operating flights to Xining, Xian, Jinan, and Qingdao. Train is the most convenient vehicle from Golmud to Xining. The whole journey will cost visitors more than 10 hours, and 20 hours is needed if going by bus.
2. The internal transport of the Golmud mainly relies on taxis. Generally, CNY 10 is charged if running inside the city area.