[2025 Chindu Attraction] Travel Guide for Sanjiangyuan Natural Reserve (Updated Jul)

Sanjiangyuan (the source of the Yangtze River, Yellow River, and Lancang River) is located in southern Qinghai Province, China's largest nature reserve and one of the world's highest-altitude wetlands with the richest biodiversity. A self-drive trip to Sanjiangyuan allows you to experience the grandeur of plateau ecology up close, but thorough preparation is essential. Here's a detailed guide: **I. Pre-Trip Preparation** 1. **Vehicle Requirements** - Recommended: **4WD off-road vehicles** as some sections are gravel roads or uninhabited areas; low-clearance vehicles are prone to damage. - Essentials: Spare tire, snow chains, tow rope, air pump, and emergency tools. - Fuel is scarce in high-altitude areas—refuel whenever possible (carry a spare fuel canister, but note some regions have security restrictions). 2. **Permits** - Parts of Sanjiangyuan are core protected zones. Obtain a **pass** in advance from the **Yushu or Golog Cultural and Tourism Bureau** (requires ID, driver’s license, and vehicle registration copies). - Download offline maps (e.g., OruxMaps)—many areas have no signal. 3. **Altitude Acclimatization** - Average elevation exceeds 4,000m. Spend 1-2 days acclimating in Xining or Yushu; pack **rhodiola, oxygen canisters, and glucose**. - Avoid strenuous activity and dress warmly (large day-night temperature swings). **II. Recommended Route (7-10 Days)** **Classic Loop: Xining Start/End** 1. **Xining → Maduo County (~500km, 6h)** - Highlights: Qinghai Lake, Riyue Mountain (altitude acclimation). - Stay: Maduo (4,200m elevation, basic amenities). 2. **Maduo → Yellow River Source "Ox Head Monument" (~80km, 2h)** - Must-see: Zhaling Lake, Eling Lake (4WD required, rough roads), visit the iconic Ox Head Monument marking the Yellow River’s source. - Note: Checkpoint requires permit verification. 3. **Maduo → Yushu (~330km, 5h)** - Highlights: Bayan Har Pass (4,824m), Tongtian River, Jiana Mani Stone Sutra City. - Stay: Yushu City (3,700m, better facilities). 4. **Yushu → Zaduo County (Lancang River Source) (~200km, 4h)** - Highlights: Angsai Grand Canyon (snow leopard habitat), Lancang River’s braided waterways. - Tip: Local guides are mandatory beyond Zaduo. 5. **Yushu → Qumalai (Yangtze River Source) (~300km, 6h)** - Highlights: Chumar River (Yangtze’s northern source), fringes of Hoh Xil. - Warning: Extremely poor road conditions—only for experienced off-roaders. 6. **Return: Yushu → Xining (~820km, 12h)** - Options: G214 Highway via Gonghe County or detour to Golog’s Amne Machin Mountain. **III. Key Notes** 1. **Ecology & Regulations** - Sanjiangyuan is ecologically fragile. No littering, plant picking, or wildlife disturbance. - Off-limits areas carry heavy fines if violated. 2. **Safety** - Avoid solo drives into uninhabited zones; travel in convoys. - Summer landslides/winter road closures (best season: May–September). - Wildlife (e.g., wolves, bears)—keep distance. 3. **Supplies & Medical** - Only Yushu City and Maduo have proper hospitals. Pack cold/anti-inflammatory meds. - Bring snacks/water (some villages only have small shops). **IV. Unique Experiences** - **Angsai Grand Canyon Rafting** (requires Yushu pre-approval, professional guides). - **Nomad Homestays**: Experience Tibetan culture (respect customs—e.g., no stepping on thresholds/unpermitted photos). - **Stargazing**: Minimal light pollution—ideal for Milky Way photography (tripod recommended). **V. Cost Estimate** - Fuel/Tolls: ~¥3,000–4,000 (~2,500km total). - Lodging: ¥100–300/night (basic; Yushu City is better). - Guide Fees: ¥500–800/day (mandatory for core zones). A Sanjiangyuan self-drive is a dual challenge of nature and endurance, with snow peaks, wetlands, Tibetan antelopes, and prayer flags creating lifelong memories. Prepare well, respect nature, and safely embrace this pristine beauty!

Sanjiangyuan National Nature Reserve Preliminary preparation: [Briefcase]- Documents: Bring necessary documents such as mainland China ID card, driver's license, vehicle registration, etc. If you have a student ID card, senior citizen ID card, etc. that can enjoy preferential treatment, bring them together. [Kimono]- Clothing: Prepare sweat-wicking underwear, fleece jackets, thin down jackets, jackets, and quick-drying pants that are slightly thicker, as well as hats, scarves, gloves, goggles, etc. [Medicine]- Medicine: Prepare anti-altitude sickness drugs such as Rhodiola rosea, as well as cold medicine, antipyretic medicine, gastrointestinal medicine, motion sickness medicine, anti-inflammatory medicine, painkillers, etc. [Shopping Bag]- Other items: Prepare sunscreen, sunglasses, moisturizing skin care products, lip balm, thermos cup, etc. You can also bring binoculars, telephoto lenses and other equipment for animal and bird watching. Transportation Guide: [Airplane]- Airplane: You can fly directly to Yushu Batang Airport. It takes about half an hour to take a taxi from the airport to the city. [CarFront]- Car: You can go to Xining first, and then take a long-distance bus to Yushu. The journey is longer but you can enjoy the scenery along the way. If you choose to drive yourself, you need to pay attention to road conditions and weather changes, and check the vehicle condition in advance [Car] Recommended attractions: [One]- Sanjiangyuan National Park: Located 100 meters west of National Highway 214 in Xiewu Town, Chengduo County, Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province, it is a good place to enjoy snow-capped mountains, canyons, forests and wild animals.  [Two]- Tongtian River: The source section of the Yangtze River, with high and steep terrain, in Chengduo County, Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, where you can enjoy the magnificent river scenery.  [Three]- Xingxiu Lake: A beautiful group of lakes. At certain times, the reflections of the stars in the lakes will show different shapes and colors.  [Four]- Lancang River Grand Canyon: The canyon is deep and the water is fast, suitable for adventure lovers.  Food recommendations: [Tea]- Butter tea: Made from tea leaves, butter, salt, etc., it has a mellow taste and can help keep out the cold. 🍲- Hand-pulled lamb: The lamb is roasted, cut into thin slices and rolled with bread, vegetables, etc. It tastes delicious. 🍸- Highland barley wine: Made from highland barley, it has a strong aroma and unique flavor, with a low alcohol content, suitable for tasting. Accommodation suggestions: [Hotel]- Tent hotel: You can choose to stay in a tent hotel on the grassland, experience grassland life, and enjoy the beautiful starry sky. [House]- Tibetan B&B: Staying in a Tibetan B&B allows you to experience the rich ethnic customs, communicate with local people, and understand local culture. [Mall]- Hotel: There are some hotels in Yushu City and other places, with relatively complete facilities and a more comfortable accommodation environment. Notes: [Giddy][Giddy]- Prevention of altitude sickness: Take anti-altitude sickness drugs one or two weeks in advance, avoid strenuous exercise when you first arrive at the plateau, try not to shower or wash your hair in the first two days, eat mainly carbohydrates, eat multiple meals a day, eat until 50% to 80% full each time, and drink plenty of water. [Loupe][Loupe]- Safety tips: When hiking and exploring, please abide by the regulations of the scenic area, do not act alone, and carry first aid medicines with you. The climate in the plateau area is changeable, so pay attention to the weather forecast and take measures to protect yourself from the sun and cold. [Angel][Angel]- Environmental protection: Keep the environment clean, do not litter, do not destroy vegetation and animal ecology, and respect local culture and customs.

Because of the Sanjiangyuan Nature Reserve and the earthquake, I came to know Yushu. Later, I went to Yushu via Shiqu County in Ganzi Prefecture, Sichuan. Here, I not only saw the earthquake ruins from 12 years ago but also saw the Tongtian River. Reflecting on 'Journey to the West,' I wondered how Wu Cheng'en knew there was really a turtle-shaped hill by the Tongtian River. The Sutra Stone also sparks imagination. The Tongtian River flows into Sichuan and becomes the Jinsha River. In summer, due to mudslides, the river turns into a raging Yellow River, highlighting the difficulty Tang Sanzang and his disciples faced crossing the river back then. Thanks to nationwide post-disaster reconstruction, Yushu's overall cityscape is quite impressive!

In 2010, a major earthquake occurred in Yushu, causing many people to die. People from all over the country gave great help to Yushu. Therefore, to thank the aid from the compatriots across the country, Yushu decided that all scenic spots in the area would be free of charge, permanently. This place is more mysterious than Tibet, more primitive than Xinjiang, and as sacred as Sichuan. It is even a paradise for travelers, ranking among the top in China. It is Qinghai Yushu. 🚉Travel Guide: ✈️You can choose to fly to Yushu Batang Airport 🚅You can choose to take a bullet train to Xining, and then depart from Xining to Yushu Recommended attractions: Hoh Xil This is a sacred place to witness life and faith, a paradise for rare wild animals. On the way, you can see snow-capped mountains and grasslands, lakes and wetlands, and groups of wild animals. △The core area is prohibited to enter, only for distant viewing, please pay attention to safety! Sanjiangyuan China's first national park, where the mountains stand tall, on both sides of the Yellow River, presenting a fascinating picture. Coming here is like walking into a huge natural zoo: Tibetan antelopes, wild donkeys, and wild yaks can be seen everywhere Chumar River Under the sun, the Chumar River looks like rocks washed by water, and also like the 'blood of the earth', which is really amazing Jiegu Temple The temple and the monks' houses are well-arranged, towering above the hill. Standing here, you can see the whole town, which is very spectacular and vast Gaer Temple This is an ancient temple hanging on a cliff, with an altitude of more than 3700 meters. It is the largest temple in the White Sect of Tibetan Buddhism. You can visit the treasure of the temple, a pair of peculiar prayer wheels. It is said that this pair of prayer wheels was the dowry brought by Princess Wencheng when she married Songtsen Gampo, and was later placed in Gaer Temple Baizha Ancient Salt Field An ancient salt field with a longer history than Chaka Salt Lake, still using the ancient salt-making process. The scenery is pleasant in summer, with mountains, grasslands, wheat fields, and ancient villages, forming a picture Xinzha Mani Stone Scripture City At an altitude of more than 3600 meters, the Mani pile is magnificent and is known as 'the largest place in the world for making wishes'. Although these characters are mysterious and difficult to understand, they are as elegant as artworks Yushu Horse Racing Festival The largest Tibetan carnival in Qinghai, held on the Zaxi Grassland from July 25 to August 1 every year. Those who are going to play recently can pay attention The name 'Yushu' is translated from Tibetan, meaning 'ruins'. There are countless praises for this place: 'Ocean of Song and Dance', 'Hometown of Song and Dance', 'Ancestor of Famous Mountains', 'Source of Rivers', 'Land of Yaks', 'The Closest Place to the Sky in the World'.