Haixi Administrative Divisions

Haixi Mongol and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (海西蒙古族藏族自治州) is the largest prefecture-level administrative region in Qinghai Province (青海省) by land area. Located in western Qinghai, it covers the vast Qaidam Basin (柴达木盆地), stretching between the Kunlun Mountains (昆仑山), Qilian Mountains (祁连山), and Altun Mountains (阿尔金山). With spectacular landscapes including snow mountains, deserts, salt lakes, grasslands, wetlands, and ancient cultural sites, Haixi has become one of the most unique destinations on the Qinghai-Gansu tourism route.

Haixi was established in 1954, and its prefectural government is located in Delingha City (德令哈市). The prefecture currently administers three county-level cities, three counties, and one administrative committee, including Golmud City (格尔木市), Delingha City (德令哈市), MangAi City (茫崖市), Dulan County (都兰县), Ulan County (乌兰县), Tianjun County (天峻县), and Dachaidan Administrative Committee (大柴旦行政委员会).

Because of its huge territory and diverse landscapes, Haixi has developed a tourism structure known as the “One Ring, Two Wings, Multiple Belts” (一环双翼多带) strategy. This regional tourism plan connects major attractions across the prefecture and promotes integrated tourism development.

The “One Ring” refers to the Haixi Grand Tourism Ring Road, linking the prefecture’s major scenic areas. The “Two Wings” focus on Chaka Salt Lake (茶卡盐湖) in Ulan County (乌兰县) and the desert-salt lake tourism area of Dachaidan (大柴旦). The “Multiple Belts” include the Qaidam Basin ecological tourism belt, Kunlun Mountain exploration belt, Qilian Mountain ecological experience belt, and Qinghai-Tibet Highway landscape belt.

The administrative divisions of Haixi also represent different tourism themes. Golmud City (格尔木市) is the gateway to Kunlun Mountains and Hoh Xil; Delingha City (德令哈市) combines poetry, wetlands, and ecological landscapes; MangAi City (茫崖市) features Mars-like geological wonders; Ulan County (乌兰县) is famous for salt lake tourism; Dulan County (都兰县) preserves ancient Silk Road heritage; Tianjun County (天峻县) offers grassland and wilderness adventures; and Dachaidan Administrative Committee (大柴旦行政委员会) has become a major stop on the Qinghai-Gansu self-driving route.

Tourism Resources of Major Cities and Counties in Haixi

Golmud City (格尔木市): Gateway to Kunlun Mountains and Hoh Xil

Golmud City (格尔木市) is one of the most important transportation hubs on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The city connects Qinghai with Tibet and Xinjiang and serves as the gateway to some of China’s most spectacular wilderness areas.

Its major tourism resources include Qarhan Salt Lake (察尔汗盐湖), the largest salt lake in China; Kunlun Mountain Pass (昆仑山口), an important landmark on the Qinghai-Tibet Highway; and Hoh Xil National Nature Reserve (可可西里国家级自然保护区), a UNESCO World Heritage ecological area famous for Tibetan antelope and plateau wildlife.

Delingha City (德令哈市): The Poetic City of Qaidam Basin

Delingha City (德令哈市), the capital of Haixi Prefecture, is famous for Chinese poet Hai Zi’s poem “Sister, Tonight I Am in Delingha.” The city combines cultural tourism with unique plateau scenery.

Major attractions include Keluke Lake–Tuosu Lake (可鲁克湖-托素湖), the freshwater and saltwater “sister lakes”; Baishu Mountain (柏树山) overlooking the city; Alien Ruins at Baigong Mountain (外星人遗址); Hala Lake (哈拉湖), a remote alpine lake; and the Hai Zi Poetry Exhibition Hall (海子诗歌陈列馆).

MangAi City (茫崖市): The Mars-Like Wilderness City

MangAi City (茫崖市) is one of China’s newest cities and one of the most remote destinations in Qinghai. Located on the western edge of the Qaidam Basin, it is surrounded by deserts, mountains, and vast wilderness.

The city is famous for MangAi Emerald Lake (茫崖翡翠湖), Aiken Spring “Devil’s Eye” (艾肯泉), Eboling Yardang Landform and Mars Camp (俄博梁雅丹与火星营地), and Heidu Mountain (黑独山), a landscape often compared with the surface of the Moon.

Ulan County (乌兰县): Home of the Sky Mirror Salt Lake

Ulan County (乌兰县) is one of Haixi’s most developed tourism areas. Its most famous attraction is Chaka Salt Lake (茶卡盐湖), known as the “Sky Mirror” because of its extraordinary reflection effect.

The county also offers grassland landscapes, pastoral culture, and Mongolian ethnic experiences.

Dulan County (都兰县): Ancient Silk Road Cultural Destination

Dulan County (都兰县) was an important area along the ancient Qinghai Silk Road. The famous Reshui Tombs (热水墓群) provide valuable archaeological evidence of the Tuyuhun Kingdom and ancient plateau civilizations.

The county also features grasslands, wetlands, and Tibetan-Mongolian cultural landscapes.

Tianjun County (天峻县): Plateau Grassland and Wilderness Exploration

Tianjun County (天峻县), located on the southern edge of the Qilian Mountains, is known for its pristine ecological environment.

Major attractions include Tianjun Stone Forest (天峻石林) and Hala Lake (哈拉湖). The region is suitable for ecological tourism, hiking, wildlife observation, and outdoor adventure.

Dachaidan Administrative Committee (大柴旦行政委员会): Desert and Salt Lake Adventure Destination

Dachaidan Administrative Committee (大柴旦行政委员会) has become one of the most popular destinations on the Qinghai-Gansu Grand Loop.

Major attractions include Dachaidan Emerald Lake (大柴旦翡翠湖), Uxte Water Yardang Geopark (乌素特水上雅丹地质公园), and G315 National Highway U-Shaped Road (G315国道U型公路).

Administrative Division Table of Haixi Mongol and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture

Note: Administrative divisions may change due to future adjustments. Travelers are advised to confirm the latest information from official Haixi government and tourism sources before planning their trip.