Salar Ethnic Group

The light goatskin raft of Salar Ethnic Group

The light goatskin raft of Salar Ethnic Group

The light goatskin raft of Salar Ethnic Group

The light goatskin raft of Salar Ethnic Group

The light goatskin raft of Salar Ethnic Group

The light goatskin raft of Salar Ethnic Group

The light goatskin raft of Salar Ethnic Group

The light goatskin raft of Salar Ethnic Group

The Salar Ethnic Group (撒拉族) is one of China’s smaller ethnic minorities, with a population of around 130,600. The Salar people call themselves “Salaar” and trace their ancestry to the Oghuz tribes of Samarkand (撒马尔罕) in Central Asia during the 13th century. Their ancestors migrated eastward along the ancient Silk Road before settling in Xunhua Salar Autonomous County (循化撒拉族自治县) in today’s Qinghai Province.

Over centuries, the Salar community developed a distinctive culture blending Turkic language traditions, Islamic beliefs, Yellow River farming culture, and plateau lifestyles. The Salar language belongs to the Turkic branch of the Altaic language family. Although the group has no native written script, Chinese characters are widely used in daily life. Islam remains at the heart of Salar identity, making the Salar people one of the most culturally unique ethnic groups along the northeastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau.

Population Distribution and Main Salar Communities

The Salar population follows a pattern of “large concentrated settlements with scattered smaller communities.” Around 80% of Salar people live in Qinghai Province, especially in Xunhua Salar Autonomous County (循化撒拉族自治县).

Main Salar Areas in Qinghai Province (青海省)

Salar Communities in Gansu Province (甘肃省)

Salar Communities in Xinjiang (新疆)

Small Salar communities can also be found in Yining County (伊宁县) and Urumqi (乌鲁木齐市), mainly formed through later commercial migration.

Salar Folk Culture and Intangible Heritage

Traditional Clothing: A Silk Road Islamic Style

Traditional Salar clothing reflects both Central Asian Islamic aesthetics and plateau lifestyles. Men usually wear white prayer caps, white shirts, black sleeveless jackets, and embroidered waistbands. Their appearance is simple, practical, and closely linked to Islamic traditions.

Women’s headscarves traditionally indicate age and marital status. Young unmarried women wear green veils, married women wear black veils, and elderly women wear white veils. Bright long dresses decorated with floral embroidery, silver necklaces, and earrings are common, with grape and peony patterns inspired by both Persian and Chinese artistic traditions.

Traditional Architecture: The “Fence House” Heritage

Traditional Salar homes are known as “Zhuangkuo (庄廓)”, courtyard-style residences combining local farming culture and Islamic influences. The most famous structure is the “Libalou (篱笆楼)”, now listed as a national-level intangible cultural heritage.

These homes use Yellow River stones as foundations and mountain timber as support beams. Walls are woven from branches and covered with mud plaster, creating naturally insulated houses that remain cool in summer and warm in winter. Inside the main hall, Arabic calligraphy and Quranic decorations reflect the strong religious atmosphere of Salar villages.

Historic villages such as Mengda Dazhuang Village (孟达大庄村) and Ahetan Village (阿河滩村) still preserve large clusters of Ming- and Qing-era fence houses.

Traditional Weddings and “Duwei Aoyina” Singing Rituals

Salar weddings preserve oral memories of the group’s eastward migration from Central Asia. One of the most important customs is the “Duwei Aoyina (对委奥依纳)” wedding singing ceremony.

Before entering the bride’s village, the groom’s party performs traditional songs and historical dialogues with local singers. The songs recount Salar migration stories, family history, and cultural traditions. Wedding celebrations often include long-table banquets, folk singing through the night, and the famous Camel Dance, symbolizing ancestors traveling eastward with white camels along the Silk Road.

Salar Intangible Cultural Heritage

Salar Fence House Construction

The construction techniques of Salar fence houses represent one of the most unique earth-and-wood architectural traditions on the Qinghai Plateau.

Salar Wedding Traditions

Traditional Salar weddings include crying songs, camel dances, and ceremonial singing competitions that preserve ethnic history through live performance.

Salar Embroidery (Gaxiu, 尕绣)

Salar embroidery (撒拉族刺绣) combines Persian embroidery techniques with Chinese stitching methods. Peony flowers and grapevine patterns are especially common on clothing, pillows, and embroidered pouches.

Camel Dance

The Camel Dance (骆驼舞) is one of the few surviving traditional Salar folk dramas. Four performers imitate camels and migrating ancestors, recreating legendary Silk Road journeys.

Raft Intestine Sausage Making

The making of Fazi Mianchang (筏子面肠) preserves ancient caravan food traditions from the Silk Road trading era.

Traditional Salar Festivals

Eid al-Fitr (开斋节)

The most important Salar festival marks the end of Ramadan. Families prepare fried pastries, sesame snacks, and traditional foods while communities gather for large mosque prayers and celebrations.

Eid al-Adha (古尔邦节)

During this festival, cattle and sheep are traditionally sacrificed in memory of Prophet Ibrahim. Meat is shared among family members, relatives, and poorer households, while camel dances and family feasts fill Salar villages.

Mawlid al-Nabi (圣纪节)

This Islamic festival commemorates the birth of Prophet Muhammad through Quran recitations, lectures, and community gatherings.

Qingmiao Festival (青苗节)

Held during the farming season, the Qingmiao Festival blends agricultural traditions and nature worship. Villagers pray for rain, harvests, and good weather through dance and ritual ceremonies.

Salar Religious Beliefs and Local Customs

Core Beliefs

The Salar people follow Sunni Islam, strictly observing prayer, fasting, charity, and pilgrimage traditions. Mosques remain the spiritual center of most villages.

Respect for ancestors also remains important, especially stories related to the Salar migration from Central Asia. Natural worship traditions survive as well, with sacred respect given to the Yellow River (黄河), ancient trees, and Camel Spring (骆驼泉).

Local Taboos

Visitors should respect Islamic customs while traveling in Salar areas.

• Pork, dog meat, donkey meat, blood products, and alcohol are forbidden.
• Loud behavior inside mosques is considered disrespectful.
• Shoes should be removed before entering religious buildings.
• Modest clothing is recommended, especially during festivals and mosque visits.
• Avoid photographing elders or religious ceremonies without permission.

Traditional Salar Food

Festival Foods

Youxiang (油香) is one of the most important Salar festival foods, made from fried fermented dough with a crisp outside and soft texture.

Sanzi (馓子) are golden fried noodle twists commonly prepared during major Islamic festivals.

Bilimaihai (比利买海) is a sweet steamed flour dessert mixed with oil and sugar.

Fazi Mianchang (筏子面肠) combines sheep intestines stuffed with chopped meat and flour, served with garlic vinegar and chili seasoning.

Everyday Salar Dishes

Hand-Grasped Lamb (手抓羊肉) is a classic Salar specialty known for tender meat and clean flavors.

Ga Mian Pian (尕面片) consists of hand-torn noodles cooked in lamb soup with vegetables, ideal for Qinghai’s cooler climate.

Traditional drinks include milk tea and roasted barley tea, both commonly served during meals.

Best Salar Cultural Attractions

Salar Folk Museums

The Salar Folk Museum (撒拉族民俗博物馆) in Jiezi Town (街子镇) displays migration relics, traditional clothing, embroidery, instruments, and handwritten Qurans, offering one of the best introductions to Salar history.

The Salaer Homeland Folk Culture Park (撒拉尔故里民俗文化园) combines folk performances, wedding customs, craft workshops, and traditional architecture in an immersive cultural setting.

Key Scenic Areas

Jiezi Grand Mosque (街子清真大寺)

Located in Jiezi Town (街子镇), this is Qinghai’s second-largest mosque. Originally built during the 13th century, it combines Chinese-style roofs with Arabic domes and preserves a rare handwritten Yuan Dynasty Quran.

Camel Spring Scenic Area (骆驼泉景区)

Known as the birthplace of the Salar people, this sacred site is linked to legends of white camels carrying the Quran across Central Asia into Qinghai.

Mengda Tianchi (孟达天池)

Located in Mengda Township (孟达乡), this alpine lake sits at around 2,500 meters above sea level and is surrounded by spruce forests and mountain scenery. It was once an important hunting and ritual site for Salar communities.

Yellow River Grand Canyon (黄河大峡谷)

The Xunhua section of the Yellow River features dramatic red cliffs, turquoise river scenery, rafting experiences, and excellent hiking routes.

Famous Salar Villages and Ancient Towns

Traditional Salar Villages

• Mengda Dazhuang Village (孟达大庄村) — An 800-year-old village with preserved fence houses and historic alleyways.
• Ahetan Village (阿河滩村) — Known for its ancient mosque, giant elm tree, and archaeological remains.
• Sanlanbahai Village (三兰巴海村) — Famous for embroidery workshops and traditional Salar courtyard homes.

Ancient Salar Towns

Jiezi Ancient Town (街子古镇)

The cultural birthplace of the Salar people, featuring stone-paved streets, ancient walnut trees, Islamic architecture, and traditional markets.

Gandu Ancient Town (甘都古镇)

An old Yellow River trading center where Salar and Hui communities have coexisted for centuries.

Best Time to Visit Salar Areas

• April to May: Clear Yellow River scenery, blooming apricot flowers, and comfortable temperatures.
• June to August: Ideal for escaping summer heat, visiting Mengda Tianchi (孟达天池), and experiencing rafting activities.
• October: Harvest season for walnuts and Sichuan pepper, combined with major Islamic celebrations.
• Eid Festivals: The best period for experiencing Salar religious culture, camel dances, and traditional feasts.

Recommended 3-Day Salar Cultural Route

Day 1: Xunhua Salar Cultural Discovery

Morning visits include Jiezi Grand Mosque (街子清真大寺) and Camel Spring Scenic Area (骆驼泉景区). In the afternoon, explore the Salaer Homeland Folk Culture Park (撒拉尔故里民俗文化园) and experience Salar embroidery, wedding customs, and traditional snacks. Spend the evening in Jiezi Ancient Town (街子古镇) enjoying Salar cuisine and folk music.

Day 2: Nature and Ancient Villages

Travel to Mengda Tianchi (孟达天池) for forest hiking and lake photography before continuing to Mengda Dazhuang Village (孟达大庄村) to see traditional fence houses and local craft workshops.

Day 3: Hualong Cultural Exploration

Visit Ahetan Village (阿河滩村) to explore ancient mosques, old trees, and archaeological sites, then continue to Gandu Ancient Town (甘都古镇) to discover old Silk Road trading culture before returning to Xining (西宁) or Lanzhou (兰州).

Must-Try Experiences in Salar Areas

• Learn Salar embroidery (撒拉族刺绣) and traditional weaving.
• Watch the famous Camel Dance (骆驼舞) performances.
• Experience Islamic festivals and long-table banquets.
• Ride traditional sheepskin rafts on the Yellow River.
• Taste Salar specialties such as hand-grasped lamb, Youxiang, and Ga Mian Pian.

Practical Travel Tips

Transportation

• Xining (西宁) to Xunhua (循化): around 170 km.
• Lanzhou (兰州) to Xunhua (循化): around 200 km.
• Self-driving and chartered vehicles are the easiest ways to explore villages and mountain areas.

Clothing

Temperatures change quickly on the plateau, so layered clothing is recommended. Long sleeves and modest outfits are preferred when visiting mosques.

Local Etiquette

Always ask before photographing people, especially elders and religious ceremonies. Avoid touching religious objects or Quran displays.

Accommodation

Traditional guesthouses in Jiezi Town (街子镇) and Mengda Dazhuang Village (孟达大庄村) offer excellent opportunities to experience authentic Salar architecture and local hospitality.