In the heart of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau lies a hidden region known as the "Forbidden Zone for Humanity"—the Hoh Xil. With an average altitude exceeding 4,500 meters, the climate is harsh and the air thin, yet it nurtures some of the world's most pristine and magnificent natural landscapes. It is both a "forbidden zone for life" and a "wildlife paradise," one of the few places on Earth that still retains its pristine natural beauty.
Land of a Thousand Lakes: A Stunning Symphony of Glaciers and Lakes
Kehkexili, known as the "Land of a Thousand Lakes," boasts over 7,000 lakes of various sizes, 107 of which are larger than one square kilometer. Ulan Ula Lake, covering 544 square kilometers, boasts crystal-clear waters, reflecting the blue sky and snow-capped mountains like a sapphire set on the plateau. Dongtaijinaier Lake, a dreamy emerald green, contrasts sharply with the surrounding Yadan landforms, creating a scene resembling a fairyland on earth. Most of these lakes are formed by glacial meltwater and are surrounded by modern glaciers, such as the Bukadaban Ice Cap and the Malanshan Glacier, covering a total area of 2,000 square kilometers. In the sunlight, the glaciers shimmer silver, contrasting beautifully with the azure waters of the lakes, creating a breathtaking natural spectacle.
Wild Spirits: Tibetan Antelopes and Plateau Wildlife
The Hoh Xil National Park is the primary habitat of the Tibetan antelope. Every April, thousands of them migrate from Sanjiangyuan, Qiangtang, and other areas to Taiyang Lake and Zhuonai Lake to calve, creating a spectacular sight. Besides the Tibetan antelope, rare animals such as wild yaks, Tibetan wild donkeys, Tibetan gazelles, and snow leopards roam freely across the vast plateau, creating a vibrant and vibrant landscape. At the end of the 20th century, the Tibetan antelope was on the verge of extinction due to poaching, with numbers once falling below 20,000. Today, thanks to the efforts of the nature reserve, the population has recovered to over 70,000. Driving along the Qinghai-Tibet Highway, you can often see Tibetan antelopes leisurely foraging along the roadside, coexisting harmoniously with humans.
Extreme Scenery: Snow-capped Mountains, Grasslands, and Vast Uninhabited Areas
The Hoh Xil National Park, surrounded by the Kunlun, Tanggula, and Gangdise Mountains, boasts continuous snow-capped peaks and crisscrossing glaciers. At 6,860 meters, Bukadaban Peak, the highest peak in Qinghai Province, is capped year-round with majestic beauty. Meadows, wetlands, and deserts intersect on the plateau, forming a unique alpine ecosystem. Here, free from the hustle and bustle of the city, there's only the whistling wind, the scurrying of wild animals, and the unpredictable weather. In the morning, sunlight shimmers across the snow-capped mountains with a dazzling golden glow; in the evening, the sunset paints the sky crimson, and the lakes shimmer like silk. At night, the Milky Way stretches across the sky, a dazzling brilliance of stars seemingly within reach.
World Heritage: The Last Pristine Land
Inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2017, the Hoh Xil National Park has become a global ecological treasure. It is not only a sanctuary for the Tibetan antelope but also the source of the Yangtze, Yellow, and Lancang Rivers, earning it the nickname "China's Water Tower." The ecosystem here is extremely fragile, and any trace of human activity can take decades to recover.
The beauty of the Hoh Xil lies not in refinement but in its pristine purity. Like a silent guardian, it speaks of the grandeur of nature and the tenacity of life. As one traveler put it, "Only after traversing the Hoh Xil can one truly understand the meaning of 'a thousand rivers and mountains.'"
