Haidong Prefecture is located in the northeast of Qinghai Province. It is so named because of the location at the east of well-known Qinghai Lake. The tourism of Haidong reflects its natural eco-culture, history, folk culture and religious culture. The representative attractions are Mengda National Nature Reserve, Gautama Temple, Beishan National Forest Park, and Liuwan Site.
Mengda National Nature Reserve
Mengda National Nature Reserve is located in the northeastern part of Xunhua Salar Autonomous County. Owing to its towering mountains, rich forests, lush grasses, wild flowers, and pleasant climate, the nature reserve enjoys the reputation as ‘Xishuangbanna in Plateau’.
The densely wooded reserve covers an area of over 9,300 hectares (22,981 acres) and its average altitude is higher than 2,500 meters (8,202 feet). Stone peaks, gifted by nature, seem to have sprung from the ground into many different shapes.
As it is stuated in the transitional area between Loess Plateau and Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, it is rich in plants and animals. There are about 509 kinds of plants and many herbs, such as Bashan firs, Cyclobalanopsis glauca, Chinese gooseberries, ginsengs, fritillaries. Some rare wild animals also live a happy life here. It also offers large stretches of grasslands, and the air is always fresh and pure. Different species of ancient trees touch the sky, such as spruces, firs, and Pinus armandies. Fragrant wildflowers can be found everywhere on the mountain, including lilacs, red azaleas, hydrangeas, Chinese small apples and roses.
The most beautiful scenic spot is Heavenly Lake (Tianchi) surrounded by green mountains. It is bright and serene, sparkling in the sunlight. The water is so green that it looks like an emerald studded on the mountain. An abundance of exuberant trees and fantastic rocks surround the lake. An eight-meter (315 inches) wide waterfall tumbles over a tall cliff to the southeast of the lake. In summer, the waterfall magnificently falls and in winter, you will see an icefall. Most visitors are attracted by the peaceful environment of the charming lake.
Admission Fee CNY 70
Opening Hours 08:00 – 18:00
Transportation Take a long-distance bus to Xunhua from Xining. Then transfer to another bus to the scenic area.
Note: 1. It is around 161km (100mi) between Xining and Xunhua. There are many buses running between and the bus fare is around CNY30.
2. Xunhua is around 20km (12mi) from Mengda National Nature Reserve, so you can also rent a car or take a taxi to reach.
Accommodation There is a Heavenly Lake Hotel in the scenic area, where you can live and dine.
Gautama Temple (Qutan Temple)
Gautama Temple is around 21 kilometers (13 miles) from south of Ledu County, and about 80 kilometers (50 miles) from Xining downtown. As one of top things to do in Haidong, it is famous for magnificent buildings, fine fresco and valuable cultural relics. Its architectural style is very similar to the Forbidden City in Beijing, so it enjoys the title of ‘Small Forbidden City’.
Originally built in 1392, at the beginning of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), this attraction now is the only well-preserved architectural complex of that dynasty in northwestern China. It consists mainly of front, central and back courtyards, totally covering an area of 28,000 square meters (33,488 square yards). On the central axis stand the Temple Gate, Vajra Hall (Jingang Hall), Qutan Hall, Baoguang Hall and Longguo Hall. Other buildings are symmetrically laid out on both sides to achieve the effect of perfect unity, which is the traditional Chinese architectural style.
The Longguo Hall, crowned with a multiple-eave roof, is the most imposing and magnificent building in the temple. The hall rises on a granite terrace with carved columns and painted beams. On both sides are rooms with covered corridors. A huge colorful fresco, about 400 square meters (478.4 square yards), is painted on the long corridors. It is just like nature itself and very clearly describes the story of Sakyamuni (Gautama Siddhartha) from birth to death.
The valuable cultural relics in this temple are too numerous to list one by one, including a giant bronze bell, a ivory rosary, cloisonne vases, imperial steles of the Ming Dynasty, and ten horizontal inscribed boards that date back to the Qing and Ming Dynasties.
Admission Fee CNY40
Opening Hours 08:00-17:00
Best Travel Season Summer and Autumn.
(On June 15th of Chinese Lunar Calendar, a temple fair is held every year.)
Transportation Take a bus at Xining Xinning Coach Station or Jianguo Road Coach Station to Ledu first. Upon arrival at Ledu, there are direct buses to Gautama Temple.
Taboo in the Temple 1. Never touch the Buddhist sutras, and statues of Buddha;
2. Never touch the heads and hats of Tibetans.
Beishan National Forest Park, at the northeast of Huzhu Tu Nationality Autonomous County of Qinghai. At the elevation of 2,100-4,308m (6.890-14,134ft), this eco-park covers an area of 1,127 sq km (435 sq mi), presenting special forest landscape. The main attractions are Datong River “Three Gorges”, Huangya Valley, Liquid Medicine Spring and Jade Rabbit Cave.
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