Qinghai Province, abbreviated as “Qing”, is situated in northwestern China and adjacent to Gansu, Suchuan, Tibet and Xinjiang. Covering an area of more than 72 million square kilometers, Qinghai has a population of 5,1 million and it is home to compact communities of varying ethnic backgrounds such as Han, Tibetan, Mongol, Hui, Tu, Salar and Kazak. Xining is the capital city of the province.

In ancient times Qinghai was the territory fo the Western Rong Tribe. It was not until the Western Han that the Qiang people took control of the land. During the Tang and Song, Qinghai was part of territory of the Tubo Kingdom. In 1928, it was incorporated as a province.

Situated in the northeast part of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, which known as the “Roof of the World”, Qinghai has an average altitude of 3,000 meters above sealevel. Jthe province is high on the relief map in the west but low in the east. In its territory, there are many famous maountains –Tanggula, Aljin, Qilian and Kunlun. Many noted rivers, such as Yangtze, Yellow and Lancang, rise here.

Its awesome mountains, mighty rivers and venerated history have bestowed an abundance of tourist resources on Qinghai. Main tourist attractions include Tar Monastery, Qinghai Lake and Grand Mosque of Xining.