Things to do in Menyuan

No. 9 of Fall Viewing Attractions in Qinghai

Mt. Gangshika Scenic Area

Gangshika Snow Peak is located in Qinghai Province, with an altitude of 5254.5 meters. It is the main peak in the eastern section of the Qilian Mountains. Usually seen from a distance, it is pure white. Whenever the sun sets, the sunset glows, the top of the mountain is colorful, and the twilight rises. It is called "Dragon Peak Sunset" and is one of the eight major scenic spots in Menyuan.

Menyuan Rapeseed Flower Field

Menyuan Rapeseed Flower Field is located in the Haomen River Valley of Menyuan Hui Autonomous County, Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, nestled between the Qilian Mountains and the Daban Mountains, and is one of China's largest highland rapeseed flower view areas. Every July, hundreds of thousands of mu of small rapeseed flowers bloom in unison, stretching from Qingshizui in the west to Yulongtan in the east, and from Lenglongling in the north to the Daban Mountains in the south. The river valley basin, extending for dozens of km, is blanketed in golden yellow, resembling a golden ocean from afar. Menyuan is one of the main production areas of northern small rapeseed. Due to its high altitude and abundant sunshine, the rapeseed flowers bloom in a concentrated and synchronized manner, creating a magnificent continuous flower field. Unlike the scattered rapeseed fields in the water towns of the south, the flower field here is set against the natural backdrop of Gangshika Snow Peak in the Qilian Mountains, with snow-capped mountains, blue skies, and the golden flower field all in one frame, presenting a grand view unique to the highlands. The attraction features several viewing points, including Yuanshan Flower Viewing Platform, Daban Mountain Viewing Station, and Zhaobi Mountain. Among them, Yuanshan Flower Viewing Platform sits at an altitude of approx. 3,000 meters and is the highest point for overlooking the hundred-mile flower field; from the platform, visitors can take in a panoramic view of the flower field. The flowering period is concentrated in July, with mid-to-late July reaching the peak bloom, when the flowers are at their most vibrant—an ideal time for viewing and photography.

Qilian Mountain Grassland

Qilian Mountain Grassland is located in the area of Menyuan Hui Autonomous County, Qinghai Province, situated in the eastern section of the Qilian Mountains, and is one of the representative grassland views on the Qinghai Plateau. Here, the pastures are vast, the snow-capped mountains are towering, and the sky is high and distant. In summer, the grass is lush like a carpet, and herds are scattered across the fields.The distant Qilian Mountain peaksare still covered in snow, creating a magnificent scene where the grassland and snow-capped mountains reflect each other, offering a strong visual impact. Midsummer is the golden season for the grassland: the grass is green, and yaks, sheep, and horses are scattered across the pastures, with herder tents and cooking smoke dotting the landscape. The plateau light changes rapidly, and the low-angle light in the early morning and evening is perfect for capturing the vastness of the grassland. Around July, the rapeseed flowers in the Menyuan Haomen River Valley below enter their blooming period. The continuous golden flower fields connect with the grasslands and snow-capped mountains above,together forming the unique landscape of the Golden Plateau.

Gangshika Colorful Ice Waterfall

Gangshika Colorful Ice Waterfall combines glacier, snow, scree, and rock wall views into one. The glacier is crisscrossed by ice crevasses of various shapes, both visible and hidden. In summer, meltwater rich in various minerals flows over the rock walls and ice surface, forming colorful mineral deposits over time, which is why it is known as the Colorful Waterfall.

No. 1 of Fall Viewing Attractions in Qinghai

Xianmi National Forest Park

Xianmi National Forest Park is located in Menyuan County and covers 3 towns in the county, stretching for tens of km in length and width, making it one of the larger forest areas in Qinghai. Nourished by the snowmelt from theQilian Mountains, the forest is lush and the environment is serene and misty, and every fall, the yellow leaves fill the sky, making it very beautiful. Xianmi National Forest Park is not a fully developed attraction. Visitors usually pass through here while visiting attractions likeBeishan National Forest Park, driving through the mountains and taking photos along the way. On sunny days, you can play in the water or have a picnic by the river, which is very pleasant.

Qinghai Menyuan Ten-Thousand-Mu Flower Sea

Qinghai Menyuan Ten-Thousand-Mu Flower Sea is located at the southern foot of the Qilian Mountains and the northern side of Daban Mountain, at an altitude of approx. 2,600–3,200 m, and is one of the larger rapeseed planting areas in northern China. This sea of flowers stretches from Qingshizui in the west to Yulongtan in the east, with Lenglongling to the north and Daban Mountain to the south, extending over 100 km, with a contiguous planting area of approx. 600,000 mu. Every July, in the height of summer, the rapeseed flowers bloom in competition, creating a magnificent spectacle of "golden waves surging toward snow-capped peaks"—at your feet are boundless golden flower fields, in the distance is the snow-white of Gangshika Snow Peak, and the Haomen River winds through like a silver ribbon, weaving together with the emerald green of highland barley fields and the blue sky and white clouds into a colorful plateau painting. Menyuan has a history of over 1,800 years of planting rapeseed and is known for the saying, "Menyuan oil flows through the streets." The Rapeseed Flower Culture and Tourism Festival held every July attracts visitors from all over. In this golden secret realm, visitors can appreciate the majestic beauty of the plateau scenery and experience the pastoral poetry of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature.

Daban Mountain Viewing Platform

Daban Mountain is located at the border of Datong and Menyuan counties in Qinghai Province and is a key transportation route from Qinghai to Gansu. Among the many mountains on the Qinghai Plateau, Daban Mountain is famous precisely because of its unique location. The Daban Mountain Viewing Platform is one of the three best places to view the Menyuan rapeseed flowers. After exiting the Daban Mountain Tunnel, the Daban Mountain Viewing Platform is not far away. From here, you can view Gangshika Snow Peak and the Menyuan Rapeseed Flower Field in the distance.

Gangshika

Zhaobi Mountain

Zhaobi Mountain is named because it stands to the south of the ancient city of Haomen and resembles a mirror. It is also called Phoenix Mountain because it forms a dragon and phoenix shape with Lenglong Ridge to the north. The city thrives because of the mountain, and the mountain is named after the city. Zhaobi Mountain is a symbol of good fortune bestowed by heaven to protect the world from harm and happiness. It has been a sacred mountain and blessed place revered and worshipped by people since ancient times. The six wonders of Zhaobi Mountain are the emerald green of Zhaobi Mountain, the sunrise over the sea of ​​clouds, the sunset over the long river, the moon over Zhaobi Mountain, the snow-clearing Nanshan Mountain, and the rainbow over the sea of ​​flowers. The Zhaobi Mountain Attraction inherits the auspicious aura and is constructed in accordance with the natural law. Therefore, climbing this mountain feels like ascending to a fairyland. The vast clouds in the sky Complimentary love, and the green pines on the Zhaobi Mountain welcome guests. The blessed land of Lingshan with mountains and waters will be the place you won't want to leave when you come, and will want to come back again after you leave.

Daban Mountain

There are "three scenic spots" in Mount Osaka, namely sunrise and sunset, rain and fog, strange peaks and strange rocks. To see the sunrise of Mt. Osaka.. The sun always appears on the zigzag horizon of Mount Osaka, and the bright circle surrounds a fiery red disk. The zigzag peaks hold the disk higher and higher like a bergamot. The hills rise and fall one after another, and at the foot of the mountain is the surging Haomen River, and the scenery is spectacular. The sun was very crisp at sunset, falling directly into the jagged valley. In summer, Mount Osaka is often filled with clouds and mist, which is closely related to its geographical location. The rainfall in Mount Osaka is very abundant. There are clouds and there are rains. Sometimes small elephants are like water vapor; sometimes large elephants are pouring. When the rape blossoms are in full bloom, it is also a good choice to come here to see the rape blossoms all over the mountains and plains.