Haixi Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture is situated in the northern part of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and the western part of Qinghai Province. It connects Tibet in the south, reaches Gansu Province in north, and stretches Xinjiang in the west. Thus it is a communication center of Xinjiang, Tibet, Qinghai and Gansu provinces.
Currently, Haixi prefecture governs two cities and three counties, namely Delingha City, Gomud City, Dulan, Wulan and Tianjun counties. Delingha is the capital city of the prefecture. There are 29 ethnic groups living in this region, including Han, Mongolian, Tibetan, Hui, Tu and Sala people. Especially, the Mongolian and Tibetan are the major residents.
History
In ancient times, Haixi was the residential area of the Qiang people. It used to the territory of Tobo Kingdom from the Eastern Jin (317 - 420) to the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907). Historically, Haixi was an important passage for the cultural exchange between the central plain and western area of China. Here situates many ancient relics showing the profound history of Haixi.
Geography
The main landform of Haixi is the Tsaidam Basin, one of the four major basins of China. It leans against Mount Aerhchin and Mount Chilien in the north and is adjacent to Mount Kunlun in the south. Its total area is 325,800 square kilometers (125,792 square miles), covering 45.17 percent of the area of Qinghai Province. The average elevation of Haixi is 3,000 meters (9,842.5 feet) and the highest point is the Bukadaban Peak, with an altitude of 7,720 meters (25,328 feet). The lowest point lies in the Dabuxun Lake Area, with an elevation of 2,675 meters (8,776 feet).
Climate
The average temperature of Haixi is -5.6 to -5.2 degrees Centigrade (21.9 - 22.6 ℉). The average amount of rainfall is 16.7 to 487.7 millimeters (0.66 - 19 inches). The climate type of Haixi belongs to the typical highland continental climate.
Landscapes
Lying on the 'World Roof' and the continental geographical location contribute to the unique natural scenery and human landscapes. Most of them are world well-known, such as Tuotuo River-the source of the Yangtze River, the Yadan Landform, the endless Gobi, the grand mirage, the millenarian glacier, the thousand-mile long salt bridge, the Taoist holy land-Mount Kunlun, the Lady Queen Mother's Jasper Lake, the cave of the Er-Lang God, the tombs of the Tubo Kingdom as well as the Dulan International Hunting Land. Nowadays, more and more visitors from home and abroad are attracted to travel here.
What to see: Tuotuo River Chaerhan Salt Lake
