The Qinghai-Tibet Railway traverses the roof of the world. Setting out from Xining, provincial capital of Qinghai Province, it travels over mountains and though deep ravines, crossing desolate uninhabited areas where passengers can experience the vicissitudes of nature, to enter the holy land of Tibet Autonomous Region.

Hoh Xil, Marchu River, Mt. Nyanchen Thanglha… these magic names are drawing us to discover the beautiful scenery that along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway.

1. Dulan County 

The Dulan County [Photo/Yidianzixun.com]

The Dulan (Mongolian for "Warm") County is located in the Qaidam Basin in middle Qinghai Province. The total area is 50,000 square kilometres, which is inhabited by Han, Tibetan, and Mongolian nationalities as well as other ethnic minorities.

2. Qaidam Basin

The Qaidam Basin [Photo/Yidianzixun.com]

The Qaidam Basin is a plateau basin, one of China’s three largest inland basins, that holds more than 5,000 salt lakes.

 

3 Golmud City

The Golmud City [Photo/Yidianzixun.com]

Golmud is located in the hinterland of the Qinghai-Tibet plateau, and is the third largest city on the plateau. Nearly 90 percent of the city’s land is part of the Gobi desert. Here the Qarhan Salt Lake and the Kunlun Mountain Pass, and poplar forests are very beautiful.

4. Kunlun Mountain Pass

The Kunlun Mountain Pass [Photo/Yidianzixun.com]

No tickets required. On the way to Tibet. Altitude sickness could begin here at 4,772 meters above sea level. Further on is the Hoh Xil.

5. Sonam Dargye Protection Station

The Sonam Dargye Protection Station [Photo/Yidianzixun.com]

Sonam Dargye Protection Station is China’s first natural ecological environment conservation station.

There are exhibitions on Tibetan Antelope and adventures of Sonam Dargye. Meanwhile, the station also provides some accommodations for passing tourists.