Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture

When you see the name, you may first think of Hainan Province in southern China, right? No, this “Hainan” is a Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Qinghai Province. It is located in the northeast of Qinghai Tibetan Plateau and the south of Qinghai Lake, thus getting the name “Hainan”. Hainan is a prefecture of seven different nationalities, including Han, Tibetan, Hui, Tu, Mongol, Salar, Kazak, with the Tibetan as the major group. It is regarded as the Eastern Window of Qinghai_ Tibetan Plateau and is famous for its bright and colorful ethnic custom, vast grassland, scenic spots, and cultural heritage.

Covering an total area of 46,000 sq, km. (17,761 sq. mi), Hainan is of the typical Continental Plateau Climate, at the lowest elevation of 2,160 m. (7.087 ft.) and the highest elevation of 5,305 m. (17,405 ft.). It is not too hot all the year round with an average annual temperature of 4 ℃. If you come here, you will find that the temperature varies a lot between a day and it is recommended that you come and bring your thick clothes with you.

Natural reserves in Hainan is very abundant in the agricultural and husbandry resources, water and electricity resources, mineral resources and tourism resources. There are 49.4722 million hectare grassland, taking up 74 % of whole prefecture. The Yellow River is flowing though land, leaving good scenic spots and electricity resources for Hainan.

What need to be noting is the tourism resource. There are numerous scenic spots, such the gate door of grassland Riyue Mountain, the emerald of plateau Qinghai Lake, the Bird Island, the first dam of Yellow River Longyang Gorge hydropower station, Daotang River and worldwide known Guide Zhacang Spring. If you come here, you can not only see the natural mountains, scenic spots on the gorgeous plateau, but also the unique ethnic customs.

The most outstanding local culture is the Tibetan Layi, which is a combination of all the Tibetan folk music and has been selected as the first group of National Intangible Cultural Heritage. Qinghai Lake is regarded as the largest and the most beautiful salt lake in China, which is a must see scenic spots if you come to Qinghai. The Riyue Mountain, located on the edge of the prefecture, is a inevitable gateway to Qinghai Tibetan Plateau.

Nowadays, with the development of society and booming economy, Hainan is developing its tourism industry at a fast speed. If you want to come here, you can also go shopping and taste local food in any places. Hainan is a wonderland for tourists and if you want to travel to Qinghai, it  is surely one stop of your tours.