Maduo County, also spelled Madoi or Matoi is a remote county of Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture located in southwest of Qinghai province in Amdo Tibet. Maduo lies 495km southwest from Xining and 330 km northeast from Yushu. The average altitude of this county is 4300m which is one of the highest county in Qinghai Province.

Amdo Tibet Travel Guide

Wildlife in Maduo county

This county contains the source of Yellow River which lies of the Bayankala watershed. Besides some monasteries in the region, you can also visit crystal clear lakes. This famous two sister lakes also called Kyarang Lake and Ngograng Lake lies about 80km from Madoi. A Huge monument of yak head was built on the top of hill which separates the two lakes. Many wildlife such as wild donkeys, fox, wild yaks, bear(dramo), black-necked cranes and other rare plateau bird species.

Amdo Tibet Travel Guide

Yak Head monument at the source of Yellow River.

Lake Kyaring & Ngoring

Kyaring & Ngoring Lake are two large freshwater lakes in the Yellow River catchment, they are located in the southwest of Qinghai Province. The name of Ngoring lake means “Long Blue Lake” and Kyarang lake means “Long Grey or Whitish Lake” in Tibetan language. The freshwater bodies one of the main sources of the Yellow River. Those shallow lakes, each covering an area of about 1000 square km, are rich in fish and freeze over in winter. The Yellow River in that region flows from west to east.

Qinghai Travel Guide

Tsokyarang Lake at the source of Yellow River

The Yellow River originates at an elevation above 4600m in the Bayan Har Mountains, in the eastern Plateau of Tibet. The broad highlands of the upper course rise 300 to 500m above the river and its tributaries. The river enters a region of deep gorges, winding its way first southeast, then northwest around the Amnyi Machen Mountains. Tsori Katse monastery is also located just near the Ngoring lake. A Nyinmapa monastery which has very strong influence of Ling Gesar.

Tibetan nomads in Golog

Tibetan Nomads in the tent with their yaks.

Admission Fee: 

Ticket: 150 yuan per person including the whole Yellow river source natural reserve.  

Business season: 

All year around if weather permits