Qilian or Dola in Tibetan, known as the “Switzerland of the orient”, is county of Haibei Tibetan Prefecture in Qinghai Province, northern neighboring with first access of Hexi Corridor on Silk Road, therefor, it is “Northern Gate of Qinghai” known. There are several minorities like Tibetan, Mongolian and Hui, which is 79.2% of the population. Qilian is well known for being an important destination in tourism in Tibetan Plateau with having Heihe valley, Zhuoer mountain and Arik monastery.
Rape seeds flower is one of the feature in Qinghai and Qlian has one of the best rape seeds field
Heihe Valley
If you are one who is tired of seeing modern city and longing to explore in Tibetan Plateau, Hehei Valley could be one of ideal place for you to make an adventure. Hehei, as the second longest Continental river in china and well known as “ The Mother river of Hexi Corridor”, originated from Qilian mountain flowing through the Valley.
sheep herders are returning back home
Zhuoer Mountain
Zhuoer mountain is Danxia land-form, consisting of red sandstone and conglomerate. Zhuoer mountain Scenic Zone is located in Babaozhen. Standing on the top of Zhuoer mountian, the view is extremely wide and stunning. It is said that Zhuoer mountain and Niuxin mountain was a loving couple, waiting on both sides of Babao river and blessing Qilian.
Zhuoershan in Qilian
Arik Monastery
Driving southeast from Qilian, along an unpaved dusty road about an hour and half, you will reach to this isolated Gelukpa monastery, which was constructed during the 17thcentury, it was set up for commemorating both the Third and Fifth Dalai Lamas who had stayed there.
A new monastery on the way from Qinghai Lake to Qilian
