Live Your Best Lives
You may not have been to Hoh Xil, but you've undoubtedly heard of it. The Hoh Xil National Nature Reserve, located in the western part of Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province, covers a total area of 4.5 million hectares. It's considered "China's largest uninhabited area" and currently the "third largest uninhabited area in the world." It's also one of China's largest, highest-altitude, and most wildlife-rich nature reserves.
Because it's so dangerous, it's known as a "forbidden zone for life," and few humans have set foot there. Yet, the Hoh Xil boasts breathtaking scenery beyond your imagination. Lakes are even bluer than the sky, and vast white clouds float overhead like cotton candy. Herds of rare wildlife, including Tibetan antelopes, wild yaks, Tibetan wild donkeys, and Tibetan gazelles, inhabit this area. Without buildings, internet technology, or even a trace of human presence, it's a pristine, pure land.
In 2017, the Hoh Xil National Park in Qinghai Province was unanimously approved by the World Heritage Committee for inclusion on the World Heritage List, becoming China's 51st World Heritage Site. Its beauty has been witnessed by the world.
The average altitude of Hoh Xil is over 5,000 meters. Due to its harsh weather and natural conditions, it is not suitable for human habitation and is prone to altitude sickness. Therefore, if you want to explore the uninhabited area, you must be well prepared with various altitude sickness medicines and breathing equipment. Otherwise, even if you feel unwell there, there is no guarantee that you can get medical treatment in time.
Hoh Xil's high altitude and vast geographical area create a diverse and unpredictable landscape. Swamps, mires, wetlands, lakes, and glaciers make it easy to get lost or even get stuck in the swamps. Therefore, don't go alone; even those with extensive wilderness experience may find it difficult to escape.
A major factor preventing human survival here is the lack of fresh water resources. Although there are hundreds of lakes of various sizes in Hoh Xil, they are all saltwater lakes. Without fresh water resources suitable for human consumption, long-term survival is naturally impossible.
Places like Hoh Xil, although not suitable for human habitation and dangerous, still attract the attention of a large number of outdoor adventure enthusiasts.
"Take the worst road, see the most beautiful scenery, the more cruel, the more beautiful" is the common evaluation of people. Because here, you can experience the ultimate feeling of traveling between heaven and hell at the same time.
The most important thing about visiting the Hoh Xil region is to experience the beauty of the desert along the way and spot the spirits of the plateau. May and June are particularly popular, as the Tibetan antelopes are migrating there. Besides the Tibetan antelope, you can also spot wild yaks, Tibetan wild donkeys, Tibetan gazelles, wolves, and other rare wild animals, but be sure to stay away from them.
Kunlun Pass is located in the southwest of Qinghai, in the eastern section of Kunlun Mountains, 160 kilometers south of Golmud City. It is the only way for Qinghai and Gansu provinces to reach Tibet. It is also a major pass on the Qinghai-Tibet Highway. It is named after the valley pass and is also called "Kunlun Mountain Pass".
The Sanjiangyuan region lies in the heart of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the roof of the world. It is also the source and catchment area for the Yangtze, Yellow, and Lancang Rivers (known internationally as the Mekong River). The Sanjiangyuan region boasts one of the highest concentrations of high-altitude biodiversity in the world. It is also one of the regions with the richest water resources, earning it the nickname "China's Water Tower."
As famous as Chaka Salt Lake, it is located in the southern part of Qaidam Basin, spanning Golmud City and Dulan County.
Due to the continuous evaporation of water, a hard salt cap has formed on the salt lake. The Qinghai-Tibet Railway and the Qinghai-Tibet Highway are built directly on the salt cap. The Qarhan Salt Lake is rich in inorganic salts such as sodium chloride, potassium chloride, and magnesium chloride, with total reserves of over 2 billion tons. It is one of China's mining bases and has the famous "Ten Thousand Meter Salt Bridge".
The Chumar River (Quma River) is the northern source of the Yangtze River. It is located in the western part of Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province. It belongs to the Yangtze River Source Nature Reserve. The upstream area is the central area of the Hoh Xil Nature Reserve.
Gaduo Juewo, often called Gaduo Juewu, belongs to Gaduo Township, Chengduo County, Yushu Prefecture. It is a renowned mountain, considered by the people of Yushu to be their patron saint. Along with Mount Kailash in Tibet, Mount Meili in Yunnan, and Mount Amnye Machen in Qinghai, it is considered one of the four sacred mountains of Tibetan Buddhism.
The Qinghai-Tibet Highway runs from Xining, Qinghai Province in the east to Lhasa, Tibet in the west. It is the world's highest and longest paved road, and also the shortest, best-maintained, and safest route to Tibet. The scenery along the way is magnificent and diverse, including grasslands, salt lakes, Gobi Desert, high mountains, and desolate landscapes.
Number of days: 9 days and 8 nights
Route highlights:
• Specially invited experts to lead the team (April 30-May 8 Keemun Hong Tea, June 3-June 11 Zhou Chao)
• High-standard photography group
• Full teaching guidance
• Specially invited experts to lead the team
• Products are carefully crafted
• Provide high-end supporting facilities
Number of days: 8 days and 7 nights
Route highlights:
• Toyota Prado off-road vehicles, 4 team members per vehicle, in the heart of the Tibetan plateau
•Explore the mysterious Hoh Xil Nature Reserve and the Sonam Darje Nature Reserve
• The second sacred mountain in Tibet: Gaduojuewo Sacred Mountain + Animaqing Sacred Mountain Secret Realm
• Donggecuo Lake, a natural attraction in Sanjiangyuan, freezes unforgettable memories
Number of days: 6 days and 5 nights
Route highlights:
•Visit the Sonam Darje Nature Reserve and express our condolences to the guardians of the Snowy Summit
• Upgrade to stay at the Water Yadan Scenic Area Hotel, a boon for stargazers
• From a distance, you can see the Yuzhu Peak glacier and the Tibetan antelope, the spirits of the plateau.
• Arrange a mysterious Tibetan blessing and sea worship ceremony at Qinghai Lake and learn about the B&B
Number of days: 8 days and 7 nights
Route highlights:
• The entire trip is in a domineering off-road vehicle, with only 3 photographers in each vehicle
• Go deep into the Hoh Xil Nature Reserve and search for the plateau elves
• The core area of Eboliang Devil City, creating for two consecutive days and one night
• Deeply explore niche scenic shooting spots and reject stereotypes
• Stay at the Water Yadan Scenic Area and enjoy the golden time of the day
• Arrange batches reasonably according to the moon phase to avoid moonlight pollution
• China-TravelNote builds outdoor aesthetic camps and produces creative photos
1. Hoh Xil is one of the highest areas in Qinghai, with an average altitude of over 4,500 meters. Medical and health conditions are poor. Tourists who have not fully adapted to the plateau climate are advised to spend a few more days in Golmud to adapt.
2. When in the plateau, avoid excessive activity, do not run, do not hold your breath, do not catch a cold, do not smoke, do not drink, prevent colds, drink plenty of water, get enough sleep, and keep warm.
3. If you have mild or severe altitude sickness, just drink more water, get more rest, and take Rhodiola rosea, spirulina, single crystal rock sugar and glucose, the symptoms will disappear quickly. There is no need to worry or be afraid.
4. The customs of the areas we visit are deeply influenced by Tibetan religion. Some phenomena and habits cannot be measured and viewed with the mentality of urban people.
Professional outdoor activities need to be led by professionals. Follow China-TravelNote to explore the "no man's land" and find the truest appearance of nature in Hoh Xil.
