Haibei Attractions

Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (海北藏族自治州) is located north of Qinghai Lake (青海湖), and its name literally means “the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture north of the sea.” As one of the most representative highland destinations in Qinghai Province (青海省), Haibei combines snow mountains, grasslands, forests, lakes, and Tibetan culture. It is also the birthplace of the “Two Bombs, One Satellite” spirit, an important symbol of China’s scientific development history.

Known as a miniature representation of “Beautiful Qinghai,” Haibei offers a diverse travel experience combining Qilian Mountain landscapes, golden flower fields, red tourism heritage, and Qinghai Lake ecological scenery. The prefecture currently has numerous A-level scenic areas, including one national 5A-level attraction and several 4A-level scenic areas, creating a tourism pattern centered around its four counties: Qilian County (祁连县), Menyuan County (门源县), Haiyan County (海晏县), and Gangcha County (刚察县).

Qilian County is known as the “Heavenly Qilian (天境祁连)” and is famous for its snow mountains, alpine grasslands, and the Ami Dongsuo Scenic Area (阿咪东索景区), the only national 5A-level scenic area in Haibei. Menyuan County is famous for the spectacular Menyuan Rapeseed Flower Fields (门源百里油菜花海), where endless golden fields meet the snow-covered Qilian Mountains in summer. Haiyan County preserves the historic Atomic City (原子城), where China developed its first atomic and hydrogen bombs, while also protecting the grasslands that inspired the famous song “In That Faraway Place.” Gangcha County, located on the northern shore of Qinghai Lake, combines Tibetan culture, wetland ecology, and Qinghai Lake wildlife conservation.

Top Tourist Attractions in Haibei

Complete List of Major Scenic Areas in Haibei

The following table organizes Haibei’s major attractions by county, including their English names, Chinese names, tourism level, and highlights.

Haibei’s Four Major Tourism Regions

Qilian County: Alpine Wonderland of the Qilian Mountains

Qilian County is the most scenic natural destination in Haibei. The region is dominated by snow-covered peaks, alpine grasslands, forests, and valleys. Ami Dongsuo Scenic Area (阿咪东索景区) is the highlight, offering magnificent views of mountains, rivers, forests, and grasslands.

Zhuo’er Mountain (卓尔山) is another iconic attraction, famous for its colorful Danxia-style mountain landscapes and panoramic views of the surrounding snow peaks and grasslands. The area is often described as the “Oriental Switzerland” because of its European-style alpine scenery.

Menyuan County: Golden Flower Sea and Snow Mountains

Menyuan is famous worldwide for its enormous rapeseed flower fields. Every July, millions of flowers bloom across the valley, creating a golden landscape stretching beneath the Qilian Mountains.

The combination of golden fields, blue skies, and snow-covered peaks makes Menyuan one of the best photography destinations in Qinghai. Gangshika Snow Peak (岗什卡雪峰), with an elevation of over 5,200 meters, provides year-round snow scenery and is an important destination for mountaineering and winter sports.

Haiyan County: Science Heritage and Grassland Culture

Haiyan County is home to Jinyintan–Atomic City Scenic Area (金银滩-原子城景区), where China’s first atomic and hydrogen bombs were developed. The area combines scientific history, patriotic education, and beautiful grassland scenery.

The famous Chinese folk song “In That Faraway Place” was also created here by Wang Luobin (王洛宾), making the region an important destination for visitors interested in music, history, and grassland culture.

Gangcha County: Qinghai Lake Ecology and Tibetan Culture

Located on the northern shore of Qinghai Lake, Gangcha County is an important ecological tourism destination. Visitors can experience Tibetan culture, observe migratory birds, and learn about the protection of Huangyu fish (湟鱼).

The Gangcha Plateau Seashore Tibetan City Scenic Area (刚察高原海滨藏城景区) combines Tibetan cultural experiences with Qinghai Lake’s natural landscapes, making it an ideal stop on a Qinghai Lake northern route.