The Source of Great Rivers and Tibetan Plateau Gateway
Qinghai Province (青海省) is located in northwestern China on the northeastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. It is China’s fourth-largest province by area but one of the least densely populated. The province is named after Qinghai Lake, the largest saltwater lake in China. Rich in natural resources, Tibetan culture, and ecological diversity, Qinghai plays a crucial role in environmental protection, clean energy, and as a bridge between Han Chinese and Tibetan regions.
Formation and Historical Background
- “Qinghai” means “blue sea”, referring to Qinghai Lake.
- Historically part of ancient Tibetan and Mongol territories, and the Tang–Tubo conflict zones.
- Became a formal Chinese province in 1928.
- Culturally and geographically significant as the source of three major rivers: the Yangtze, Yellow, and Mekong.
- A major region for Tibetan Buddhism and nomadic traditions.
Administrative Information
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Province Name | Qinghai Province (青海省) |
| Provincial Capital | Xining (西宁市) |
| Location | Northwestern China |
| Total Area | Approx. 720,000 sq. km |
| Population | Approx. 6 million (2024 est.) |
| Time Zone | China Standard Time (UTC+8) |
| Abbreviation | 青 (Qīng) |
| ISO Code | CN-QH |
Government and Leadership
| Position | Current Officeholder (as of 2024) |
|---|---|
| Party Secretary | Chen Run’er (陈润儿) |
| Governor | Wu Xiaojun (吴晓军) |
| Provincial Legislature | Qinghai Provincial People’s Congress |
| Administrative Body | Qinghai Provincial People’s Government |
Administrative Divisions of Qinghai Province
Qinghai consists of 8 prefecture-level divisions, including 1 prefecture-level city and 7 autonomous prefectures, subdivided into districts, counties, and county-level cities.
- Xining (西宁市) – Provincial Capital
- Districts: Chengzhong (城中区), Chengdong (城东区), Chengxi (城区西区), Chengbei (城北区)
- County-level City: Huangzhong District (湟中区)
- Counties: Datong Hui and Tu Autonomous County (大通回族土族自治县), Huangyuan County (湟源县)
- Haidong (海东市)
- District: Ledu (乐都区)
- Counties: Ping’an (平安区), Hualong Hui Autonomous County (化隆回族自治县), Minhe Hui and Tu Autonomous County (民和回族土族自治县), Xunhua Salar Autonomous County (循化撒拉族自治县)
- Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (海北藏族自治州)
- Counties: Haiyan (海晏县), Qilian (祁连县), Gangcha (刚察县), Menyuan Hui Autonomous County (门源回族自治县)
- Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (黄南藏族自治州)
- County-level City: Tongren (同仁市)
- Counties: Zêkog (泽库县), Jainca (尖扎县), Henan Mongol Autonomous County (河南蒙古族自治县)
- Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (海南藏族自治州)
- Counties: Gonghe (共和县 – seat), Tongde (同德县), Guinan (贵南县), Guide (贵德县), Xinghai (兴海县)
- Guoluo Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (果洛藏族自治州)
- Counties: Maqên (玛沁县 – seat), Gande (甘德县), Darlag (达日县), Jiuzhi (久治县), Madoi (玛多县), Banma (班玛县)
- Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (玉树藏族自治州)
- County-level City: Yushu (玉树市 – seat)
- Counties: Zadoi (杂多县), Chengduo (称多县), Nangqên (囊谦县), Qumarlêb (曲麻莱县), Zhiduo (治多县)
- Haixi Mongol and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (海西蒙古族藏族自治州)
- County-level Cities: Delingha (德令哈市 – seat), Golmud (格尔木市), Mangnai (茫崖市)
- Counties: Dulan (都兰县), Ulan (乌兰县), Tianjun (天峻县)
Summary:
| Level | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Prefecture-level Divisions | 8 |
| County-level Divisions | 45+ |
| Township-level Divisions | 700+ |
Local Government Structure
- Xining is the only prefecture-level city and also the provincial capital.
- The rest of the province is organized into autonomous prefectures, each having county-level ethnic administrative units.
- Autonomy given to Tibetan, Hui, Tu, Salar, and Mongol minorities in local governance.
Leadership & Governance
- Focus on:
- Ecological protection (especially Sanjiangyuan National Nature Reserve)
- Religious harmony and ethnic integration
- Renewable energy (solar and wind projects)
- Rural poverty alleviation and infrastructure in high-altitude zones
Law Enforcement & Safety
- Managed by the Qinghai Provincial Public Security Department
- Key areas:
- Plateau-specific emergency response
- Monastery zone coordination
- Nomadic border surveillance and ecological law enforcement
- Emergency Numbers:
- 110 – Police
- 119 – Fire
- 120 – Ambulance
Economy & Industry
- Key sectors:
- Clean energy (solar, wind, hydro)
- Salt lake extraction and mineral processing
- Tibetan medicine, livestock husbandry (yak, sheep)
- Tourism and ethnic crafts
- GDP Growth (2023): Approx. 4.5%
Education & Institutions
- Top Institutions:
- Qinghai University (Xining)
- Qinghai Normal University
- Research in: plateau ecology, Tibetan language and medicine, renewable energy
Healthcare
- Major Hospitals:
- Qinghai Provincial People’s Hospital
- Xining Red Cross Hospital
- Focus on high-altitude medicine and rural healthcare delivery
Transport & Connectivity
- Airports:
- Xining Caojiabao International Airport
- Golmud Airport, Yushu Batang Airport
- Rail: Qinghai–Tibet Railway (Xining–Lhasa)
- Roads: Qinghai-Tibet Highway, ecological protection corridors
Tourism & Attractions
- Qinghai Lake – largest inland salt lake
- Kumbum Monastery (Ta’er Si) – major Tibetan Buddhist site
- Sanjiangyuan National Park – source of three rivers
- Yushu Horse Festival, Madoi Grasslands
- Nomadic cultures, sky burial rituals, and Tibetan cuisine
Culture & Lifestyle
- Ethnic mosaic: Tibetan, Hui, Tu, Mongol, Salar
- Deep religious tradition with hundreds of temples and monasteries
- Cuisine: yak meat, Tibetan butter tea, barley cakes, Qinghai noodles
- Highland festivals, thangka painting, and folk songs
Summary
Qinghai Province is a land of vast skies, sacred rivers, and cultural resilience. As the heart of China’s highlands and the gateway to Tibet, it combines ecological grandeur with spiritual depth and emerging modern energy.