A brief introduction of Haixi Mongol and Tibetan Autonoumous Prefecture

Haixi is an autonomous prefecture occupying much of the northern tier of as well as part of the southwest Qinghai province, China. It has an area of 325,785 square kilometres (125,786 sq mi) and its seat is Delingha. The name of the prefecture literally means "west of (Qinghai) Lake."

Haixi is a area with many mountains such as Kunlun Mountain, Altun Mountain and Mount Tanggula surrounding the Qaidam Basin. The Qaidam Basin is located at an elevation of 2,675 m. and the Mount Tanggula is the birthplace of Yangtze River and the gateway to Tibet. There is much sunshine all the year round but with an annual temperature of -0.5 ─ 5.2 ℃. 

The Qaidam Basin, which lies in the midst of the Kunlun Mountains, Aeoin Mountains and Qilian Mountains, is one of the main landforms within this prefecture. The land rises into a plateau at the north foot of the Tanggula Mountains, and much of the rest of the land is distributed between the Alps, rolling hills, the Gobi Desert, plains, and lakes.

Natural reserves in Haixi is very abundant. Qaidam Basin is flat with fertile earth and favorable light and heat, which is good for farming or agriculture. There are about 1.74 million hectare grassland and many wild animals and plants living here. It is estimated that there are in total 39 kinds of national level A  precious animals, such as Wild yak, wild ass, white-lipped deer, snow leopard, Tibetan antelope, black-necked cranes and so on. If you come here, you can see all kinds of animals and there are even animals hunting areas for tourists enjoy the fun of hunting. 

Haixi is rich in natural landscape and cultural landscape. The most famous Kunlun Mountain is called the First Holy Mountain in China and the father of mountains and is a good place to for hiking and adventure. There are also vast grasslands and many Mongolian and Tibetan custom which attracted many people who want to experience life of the unique ethnic groups. Moreover, many tourism resources rank first both in Qinghai Province and in China. 

● Main Cities of Haixi

Delingha City

Delingha, or Delhi, is the seat of the Haixi Mongol and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in northern Qinghai province, China. It is located approximately 200 kilometres southeast of the Da Qaidam Administrative Region. It is a mainly industrial county-level city. The Bayin River divides the city into two parts: Hedong and Hexi . Because the prefecture seat is located in Hedong, it is slightly more flourishing than Hexi, which is chiefly agricultural.
It covers an area of 27,700 square kilometers with three streets, three towns and a village under its jurisdiction and an elevation of 2,980 meters above the sea in its urban area. Until 2012, it has an population of about 100,000, including 19 ethnic groups like Mongolian(most), Tibetan, Hui, Sala Tu and Han.

Golmud City

Located in the western part of Qinghai Province, Golmud is a county-level city managed by the Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Haixi and the second largest city in Qinghai. It is composed of Chaidamu Basin area and Tanggula Mountain area. Golmud Qinghai is the transportation hub of west and central regions of China connecting Tibet, Xinjiang and Gansu. 

Golmud is also the new starting point of the Qinghai-Tibet railway and the place where the three main highways of Qinghai-Tibet, Qinghai-Xinjiang and Dunhuang-Golmud meet together. Golmud is a multi-ethnic settlement, with 34 ethnic groups including Han, Mongol, Tibetan and Hui Nationalities. It owns stunning natural landscapes such as the source of the Yangtze River, vast salt lake, snow-capped mountains, endless desert and beautiful populus euphratica forest.