Northwest of Maqin County, Guoluo Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture
Recommended sightseeing time:
2-4 hours
A'ni Maqing, a sacred mountain that 99% of people have never set foot on
When it comes to the four major sacred mountains in Tibet, people will think of Meili and Gang Rinpoche.
But this time I came to A'ni Maqing Mountain, many people have never set foot on it.
If you think this is Tibet, you are wrong.
Actually, this is Guoluo in Qinghai❗️
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🏔How to get there
✈️The general transportation is to fly to Xining, and then fly to Guoluo.
📍Navigate to 'Maqin County Snow Mountain No. 1 Tunnel', you can stop briefly, the snow mountain is within reach, and the glacier is under the snow mountain, but it is said that it has retreated 80 meters since the observation due to global warming!
📍Navigate to 'Weigele Dangxiong', you can walk closer to watch the sacred mountain, but the road along the way is particularly difficult to walk, all are rubble+curves+big pits, easy to get carsick and altitude sickness.
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For Tibetans, the sacred mountain carries their faith.
For me, it is already very lucky to be able to stand at the foot of the mountain and look up.
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📍Location: A'ni Maqing Mountain, Guoluo, Qinghai
📷Time: September 2023
🏔Altitude: Main peak 6282m
EMELIA SCHULTZ
Animaqing Mountain Travel Guide
Animaqing Mountain is located in the northwest of Maqin County, Guoluo Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province, in the hinterland of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. It is part of the middle branch of the eastern section of the Kunlun Mountains, about 200 kilometers long and 60 kilometers wide. The main peak, Maqing Gangri, is 6,282 meters above sea level, covered with snow and glaciers all year round. The natural landscape here is magnificent and unique, with the Yellow River winding around its southeast side, forming a unique geographical feature.
Animaqing Mountain has a continental plateau climate, and the best time to visit is from mid-June to mid-August each year. During this period, the climate is relatively pleasant, suitable for outdoor activities and sightseeing.
Transportation: From Xining, you can choose to drive along the S101 Xijiu Highway to Maqin County. You will pass through Guide and other places along the way, with a total distance of about 350 kilometers. After entering Maqin County, you can continue to drive to Dawu Town, which is at a high altitude, so you need to pay attention to altitude sickness.
Accommodation: There are several accommodation options in Maqin County, such as West Hotel, Gesar Hotel, etc., with reasonable prices and high cost performance.
Main attractions:
Animaqing Mountain Geological Park: The park has Yin-Yang Kehe Scenic Area, Qinglonggou Scenic Area, etc., mainly featuring Quaternary glaciers, glacial landforms, and alpine karst landscapes, supplemented by Tibetan Buddhist culture.
Laga Temple: Located in Maqin County, it is a historic Tibetan Gelugpa temple with magnificent architecture and many believers.
Gesar King Legend: Maqin County is the hometown of the Tibetan hero Gesar King, and there are many cultural relics and legends related to Gesar King here.
Hiking and Adventure: There are many hiking routes around Animaqing Mountain, such as navigating to the entrance of Snow Mountain No. 1 Tunnel and hiking about three kilometers to Zhihai Dai Pass, where prayer flags flutter and the scenery is picturesque. However, you need to pay attention to the intensity and safety of plateau hiking.
Photography and Shooting: Bring a drone and camera to capture the magnificent scenery of Animaqing Mountain and the beautiful moments of glacier meltwater. Especially when flying a drone on a small slope next to the bay-style rest area, the view is excellent.
📍 Animaqing Snow Mountain is a famous snow mountain on the snowy plateau. In Tibetan, it means 'the grand snow mountain where the Yellow River flows through.' It is known as one of the 'Four Great Sacred Mountains' along with Gang Rinpoche in Tibet, Meili Snow Mountain in Yunnan, and Gado Juewo in Yushu. The Tibetan people call Animaqing 'Bokawa Jianggong,' one of the nine great creation gods who opened up the world.
📍 Drive 75 kilometers from Maqin County to the north slope of Animaqing, where there are well-developed glaciers. You can hike to see the glaciers and small snow mountain plants🍀 up close, feeling the charm of the sacred mountain on the plateau, and gaining a greater sense of reverence for nature.
📍tips:
— Park your car at the entrance of Snow Mountain Tunnel No. 1, cross the guardrail on the opposite side of the road, and you can head towards the glacier.
— The hiking path is mainly rocky, and you will need to climb over piles of rocks, so it's best to bring trekking poles.
— The wind is strong, so don't forget your hat. The altitude is over 4300 meters, and altitude sickness can affect you, so be sure to gauge your limits.🈶 There are small cars that can drive directly to the glacier, and you can negotiate the price.
luceria_4356
Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Maqin County, Qinghai
Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, with its capital in Maqin County, is located in the southeastern part of Qinghai Province, China. It borders Gannan Prefecture and Huangnan Prefecture to the east, Aba Autonomous Prefecture and Garze Prefecture to the south, is adjacent to Yushu Prefecture to the west, and is bordered by Haixi Prefecture and Hainan Prefecture to the north; it is situated at the junction of the Amdo and Kham cultures, and is an important part of the Silk Road's Henan Route and the ancient Tang-Tibetan Road. It is the homeland of China's Gesar culture and a typical microcosm of the natural and cultural resources of the Tibetan Plateau. The average elevation of Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture is over 4,200 meters, characterized by a plateau continental climate. Within the territory of Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, there are peaks such as Amne Machin and Nyenbo Yurtse; there are the sacred lakes of Zharinamco and Eling, formerly known as Lake Bo, and their historical stories of Tibetan-Han intermarriage; there are famous ancient temples and cultural landscapes such as Ragya, Baiyu, and Chalang.
Mr. Laverna Moen
One of the four sacred mountains of Tibetan Buddhism | Animaqing
Animaqing in Guoluo, Qinghai, Gang Rinpoche in Tibet, Meili Snow Mountain in Yunnan, and Gado Juewo in Yushu, Qinghai, are known as the 'Four Sacred Mountains of Tibetan Buddhism'. As a Sichuanese who loves to travel to the northwest, I see Animaqing almost every year.
❤Recommendation: Many people choose to leave the province via Guangyuan when going from Sichuan to Qinghai or Xinjiang. In fact, taking the Dema Expressway (Delingha, Qinghai - Maerkang, Sichuan) through Aba County in Aba Prefecture and Jiuzhi County in Guoluo Prefecture to Qinghai, especially to the Gobi area in Haixi, is shorter in time, closer in distance, less crowded, and has great scenery. The key is that you can see Animaqing, one of the four sacred mountains, and the Dongji Cuo Na Lake formed by the melting water of Animaqing. You will also pass by the twin sisters of Nianbaoyuze - Lianbaoyeze.
📍Detailed address: The parking area at the entrance of the No. 1 tunnel of the snow mountain nearest to Dawu Town, Maqin County.
💰Average consumption: 0
⏳Play time: More than 0.5h
📝Tips:
①The parking area cannot be occupied for a long time
②The altitude of the expressway in Guoluo Prefecture is relatively high, 3500+
③The expressway fee is slightly higher
④Sometimes you will encounter roads with frozen soil subsidence, which are quite bumpy.
INDIGO FARMER
Golog Prefecture, Qinghai, a hotel surrounded by snow-capped mountains and grasslands
Snowy pure land, mysterious Golog.
Golog in Qinghai is a mysterious paradise on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Snow-capped mountains and grasslands, herds of cattle and sheep, the distant blue sky, the beautiful scenery along the way, and the hospitable Tibetan friends can soothe the soul.
Nearby attractions:
Animaqing Snow Mountain|One of the snowy sacred mountains, the main peak is 6282 meters high
Nianbao Yuzhe|The place where the gods live, winding in Golog
Upper reaches of the Yellow River|The place where it flows twice, with nine bends and eighteen turns
Baizha Temple|A gathering place for Tibetan stone carving art
Vast Maqin Grassland
Getangyaqi Hotel, located in the midst of snow-capped mountains and grasslands, where you can encounter local humanistic customs and plateau snow scenes as soon as you step out. Quality and comfortable accommodation space, exquisite and rich dining experience, is a rare experience on the snow-capped plateau thousands of kilometers away from the city.
First floor space:
The No.1 quality Western restaurant in Golog, Qinghai; Rich drinks + stylish coffee shop;
Second and third floor space
18 guest rooms (double rooms, standard rooms, parent-child rooms); meet various customer accommodation needs (including breakfast)
Hotel address:
Maqin County, Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province (opposite the special police team)
LucyMontgomery57
On the way from Dari to Animaqing, I met a lot of interesting people. Since I arrived at the county last night too late, I went out a little later today. Its sunny, and Im used to the sun. Snowy mountains. Along the way, there are snow and dry grass blending hills. This kind of mountain we call him Zebra Mountain~ When the locals and monks are taking pictures, the locals and monks have been watching us from a distance, and they are taking a photo~ its a long Panshan Road, Su Shushu said, as long as There will be surprises when you get to the top of the mountain. Uncle Su said that you can't be wrong.