Yushu Travel Guide
Location:Located in the southwest region of Qinghai Province, Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture is situated very close to the Tibetan border at the mouth of three of China's largest rivers, making it a very important ancient hub.
History:
Yushu was inhabited by Qiang, which is an ancient tribe in northwest China. In its history, it was governed successively by several Tibetan regimes.
Yushu Special District was established in 1949 and changed to Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Region two years later, then changed to an autonomous prefecture in 1955.
Prior to collectivization in 1958, the entire monastic population of present-day Yushu TAP amounted to more than 25,000 Buddhist monks and nuns, with approximately 300 incarnate lamas among them.
Transportation:
The eastern part of Yushu prefecture, where most of its population lives, is served by the China National Highway 214 and the recently constructed (opened 2009) Yushu Batang Airport.
The far western part of Yushu prefecture, which is hundreds of kilometers away from the prefecture's eastern "core" and has very little population, is crossed by China National Highway 109 and the Qinghai-Tibet Railway.
Hotels:
Yushu Hotel is by far the nicest hotel in town with the flushing toilets and 24 hour hot showers. The old Yushu Hotel sits in front of this brand new hotel, and there are no longer dorm rooms available. The staffs are helpful, although only a few speak some English - a friendly female manager has the best fluency. By Chinese government standards the hotel is 3 star, but by Western standards it could possibly be 4 star.
YHA Yushu Youth Hostel, (In a pink cube-shaped building on Hongwei Rd. the outskirts of town as you head in from Ganzi).
Dining:
Decent food can be got at a large number of places on all of the town's three main streets, and also at the market square at night.
Sheep head for the not too squeamish is recommended. Yak milk yoghurt sold by the nomad women on the corner of Yak Square is very strong but very creamy. Steer clear of yak butter; it always tastes rancid even when fresh.
Weather:
Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture enjoys a continental plateau climate with high altitude and cold climate as its most outstanding features.
It has distinct warm and cold seasons, respectively lasting four to five and seven to eight months. The annual average temperature of this region is below zero (32℉).
Attractions:
Sanjiangyuan National Nature Reserve
The Sanjiangyuan National Nature Reserve in Tibetan also referred to as the Sanjiangyuan Nature Reserve, or the Three Rivers Nature Reserve, is the area of Qinghai province, PRC which contains the headwaters of the Yellow River, the Yangtze River, and the Mekong River.
The SNNR was established to protect the headwaters of these three rivers. The reserve consists of 18 subareas, each containing three zones which are managed with differing degrees of strictness.
Along with wetland and waters protection, other ecological values, such as grassland, forest, and wildlife enhancement, have also been presented as goals.
Residents have been resettled from core zones and other grassland areas of the SNNR, and rangeland has been fenced and is in the process of being privatized throughout the Sanjiangyuan Area.
Temple of Princess Wencheng
Temple of Princess Wencheng is a historical and cultural relic left by the Princess Wencheng of the Tang Dynasty (618-907) on her way to Tibet in the year of 641. The temple sits at 3850m (12,628 feet) and the mountains around it are much higher. In the hall, there is the earliest large scale relief Buddha groups on cliff in Qinghai.
Kekexili Nature Reserve Park
Located in Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, it announced that they submitted the Tibetan Antelope as a candidate for the mascot of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
Kekexili is a paradise of wildlife. There are more than one hundred species of rare wild animal living in the cold, high land of Yushu. This sacred and magical land is perfect for scientific research, travel and exploration.
Questions & Answers:
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