Things to do in Huangyuan
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Top 10 attractions in Huangyuan
Danggar Ancient Town
The Dange'er Ancient City is located in Wuyuan County, about 40 kilometers west of Xining City. It has been thriving in the history of tea and horses. Because of its unique location, it has the title of “sea Tibetan throat”. Today, there are many shops in the Dange'er Ancient City, which are prosperous and lively. Many tourists who go to Qinghai Lake from Xining will visit when they pass by. The ancient city is small in size, with a Dange'er Street as the center, and the houses on the street are all brick-and-grey buildings in the northern town.Huangyuan · 1.4km from downtown
Huangyuan Gorge
Huangyuan Gorge is located between 35 kilometers and 90 kilometers away from the Qinghai-Tibet Highway. The Huangshui River runs obliquely through the northern part of Huangyuan County from northwest to southeast. The larger tributary Yaoshui River runs from the south to the north. "-shaped valley basin, constitute the "Three Gorges", namely Xishi Gorge, Bayan Gorge, Yaoshui Gorge. On both sides of the canyon, the mountains are Cuiwei, the bees are standing, the mountains are facing each other, and the cliffs are thousands of meters. Because of its dangerous terrain, Huangyuan Gorge has been called "the throat of the sea" since ancient times. The whole gorge is full of high mountains, strange rocks, rushing rivers, and picturesque scenery, especially the rock paintings carved on the cliffs, which made passing guests abandon their cars and set foot in the viewing area.Huangyuan · 6.5km from downtown
Qinghai Province Museum
Qinghai Provincial Museum is located at Xinning Square in Xining City. Although it is not large among provincial museums, it is also a good place to learn about Qinghai's history and cultures of various ethnic groups. In addition, there are exhibitions and explanations of Tibetan Buddhism and Islamic cultural systems in the museum, which are very helpful for later tours in Qinghai. Visit Overview The museum mainly has two floors, but the first floor is now rented by some units, and there are also some shops selling handicrafts and other souvenirs. Occasionally there will be temporary exhibitions on the first floor, if you encounter them, you can visit them. The permanent exhibition area is located on the second floor and is mainly divided into two parts, the Qinghai Historical Relics Exhibition and the Qinghai Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition. It takes about an hour and a half to browse the two exhibition halls. Historical and Cultural Relics Exhibition Qinghai Historical and Cultural Relics Exhibition is an exhibition of the history of Qinghai in a chronological manner. Follow the indicated passages to visit, and you can watch the Qinghai cultural relics from ancient times to the present. The exhibition is divided into two parts: prehistoric civilization and historical relics. The Zasak silver seal of the Qing Dynasty, the largest bronze weapon unearthed in China - the large bronze spear, etc. are all treasures in the collection. There are also many quiet and beautiful pottery from the Majiayao culture in the northwest region. You can follow the instructions to find out the stories behind them. Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition Qinghai Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition showcases the culture and customs of many ethnic groups in Qinghai. There are many models and sand tables showing Qinghai's many festivals, etiquette, singing and dancing and other artistic cultures. In addition, there are many cultural relics of Tibetan Buddhism in the museum, such as thangkas, mandala, etc. Among them, the bronze gilt-gold Guanyin statue bestowed by Emperor Yongle in the Ming Dynasty is the treasure of the whole museum, you can take a good look at it. Learn about the connotation and art of Tibetan Buddhism here, and you can also provide help for your later travel to religious attractions. Interpretation service The museum now provides interpretive services, but most of the interpreters read the text under the exhibition, and do not have a deeper introduction. The level of manual explanation is also mostly limited. Generally, the explanation words are memorized by rote. The questions about the extended knowledge of tourists are often unable to be answered, and it is not recommended.Xining · 44.9km from Huangyuan
Gansu Provincial Museum
Gansu Provincial Museum is a large comprehensive museum centered on the civilization of the Silk Road. Located at a strategic point along the Silk Road and a convergence zone of Han and Tibetan cultures, its collections embody the diverse characteristics of the Central Plains, Western Regions, and the Tibetan Plateau. The three treasured artifacts—the Galloping Bronze Horse, the mural brick of a courier, and the painted pottery vase with a human-head-shaped mouth—serve as iconic representations of the museum. The museum has three floors, featuring permanent exhibitions on themes such as the civilization of the Silk Road, Buddhist art of Gansu, painted pottery of Gansu, paleontological fossils, and revolutionary Gansu. The Silk Road civilization exhibition on the second floor is the museum's centerpiece: the bronze galloping horse unearthed in 1969 from the Leitai Han tomb in Wuwei is displayed here. The horse has three hooves in the air and one stepping on a flying bird, standing steadily on a single hoof. Its image is now the symbol of Chinese tourism. In the same hall, the mural brick depicting a courier from the Wei-Jin tombs in Jiayuguan shows a messenger galloping on horseback, notably without a mouth, symbolizing the need for couriers to "keep their mouths shut." This pattern was later adopted as the emblem of China Post. The exhibition also features a procession of chariots and horses excavated from the same tomb as the bronze horse, along with Han and Tang dynasty silk textiles, gold and silver artifacts, making the prosperity of Silk Road trade vividly tangible. The Buddhist art exhibition hall on the third floor features replicas of caves from the Mogao Grottoes and Maijishan Grottoes, alongside statues, ritual objects, white pagodas, and prayer wheels from both Han and Tibetan Buddhism. Stepping into the hall feels like entering a temple, and this harmonious blend of Han and Tibetan styles is rarely seen elsewhere. On the same floor, the painted pottery exhibition showcases ceramics from cultures such as Dadiwan, Yangshao, and Majiayao, with intricate and fluid patterns like spiral and sawtooth designs. Among them, the painted pottery bottle with a human-head-shaped spout unearthed at Dadiwan in Qin'an, which integrates facial sculpture with the pottery vessel, is a highly popular exhibit. If you're interested in natural history, the paleontological fossils exhibition hall features the impressive skeleton of the Yellow River ancient elephant unearthed in Heshui, and the dinosaur fossils and reconstructed models are also popular with children. The revolutionary Gansu exhibition hall showcases historical artifacts and materials from periods such as the Nanliang base area and the Shaan-Gan-Ning border region, narrating the modern history of this land. The museum houses a large quantity of exhibits, and even a quick tour would take half a day. It's recommended to start with the Silk Road exhibition on the second floor, then proceed to the third floor for Buddhist art and painted pottery, following a logical route. In the exhibition halls, you can scan to listen to the audio guide, and at certain times, volunteers also provide guided explanations.China · Lanzhou
Qinghaisheng Huangyuanxian Gudao Museum
Huangyuan · 29.8km from downtown
Zhangye Giant Buddha Temple
The Zhangye Giant Buddha Temple is located in the urban area of Zhangye. It was first built during the Yong'an era of the Western Xia Dynasty and has a history of over 900 years. The temple is renowned for housing one of China's largest indoor clay reclining Buddha statues, along with other distinctive ancient structures such as the earthen pagoda and the Shanxi Guild Hall, which are open for visits. Exhibitions inside the temple help travelers understand Buddhist art and the history of the Zhangye Giant Buddha Temple. As one of Zhangye's iconic attractions, it is a must-see for visitors to the city. The current site of the temple is not large, with a depth of approx. 200 m and a width of approx. 100 m. Visitors can enter from the western square and explore on foot. The main buildings open for visits, from west to east, include the Giant Buddha Hall, the Hall of Ten Thousand Saints (now the Buddhist Art Exhibition Hall), the Scripture Hall (now the Buddhist Texts Exhibition Hall), the earthen pagoda, and the Shanxi Guild Hall. A complete tour takes approx. 1–2 hrs. The Giant Buddha Hall is the temple's most significant structure and the highlight for travelers. It features one of China's largest indoor clay reclining Buddha statues, depicting the Nirvana of Sakyamuni. The statue measures 34.5 m in length and 7.5 m in shoulder width—so massive that a single finger can accommodate a lying person, and one ear can seat 10 people side by side. The hall also houses statues of the Ten Great Disciples and the Eighteen Arhats, along with exquisite murals depicting Journey to the West and the Classic of Mountains and Seas. The Hall of Ten Thousand Saints and the Scripture Hall, located in the central area, now serve as exhibition spaces for Buddhist art and texts, displaying sculptures, grotto statues, scriptures, and other artifacts. Notable among these is a collection of over 6,000 Buddhist scriptures personally bestowed by Emperor Yingzong of the Ming Dynasty, many written in pure gold, which are the temple's prized treasures. The earthen pagoda, standing over 30 m tall, is east of the Giant Buddha Hall. Its two-tiered base features four small pagodas on each level, adorned with exquisite carvings and housing solemn Buddha statues. The Shanxi Guild Hall, situated northeast of the temple complex, was originally a merchant guild hall during the Qing Dynasty. This typical northwestern residential courtyard features ancient architecture with intricately carved beams and painted pillars, exuding rustic elegance.China · Zhangye
Mojia Street
Mojia Street is an old street in the center of Xining's old town with a history of over 600 years. It is located on the south side of Dongdajie and is adjacent to Yinma Street. Today, it is a commercial pedestrian street mainly featuring restaurants and shops, and it is also a famous food hub in Xining. Many tourists visiting Xining make a special trip here to sample the local food. This street is not long, but it has almost all Qinghai snacks covered: liangpi (cold skin noodles) is sour, spicy, and refreshing; lamb intestine noodles have a rich broth and plenty of ingredients; the traditional yogurt is thick and creamy; tianpei (fermented highland barley) carries the subtle sweetness of fermented highland barley; and the kangguo (pan-fried) lamb chops at the entrance of the street are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, stir-fried in the same pan with potatoes, hand-made noodles, and green and red peppers—the aroma wafts half a street away. Mazhong Food City, which started as a small liangpi shop in the 1990s, is now a signature food destination on the street. Those who want to taste Xining flavors in one go often start here. The popularity grows after nightfall, and the nearby Daxinjie Night Market is equally bustling. You can stroll through both streets in one trip, walking and eating, and slowly digesting—this is the perfect way to experience this old street.Xining · 47.8km from Huangyuan
Dongguan Mosque
Dongguan Mosque is one of the larger mosques in Qinghai Province and a very popular destination in Xining. The mosque was first built during the Ming Dynasty, and its current layout was largely established during a major renovation and expansion around 1913. Since then, it has undergone multiple repairs, and today it is a spacious courtyard enclosed by a gatehouse, side buildings, and a central prayer hall. The entire complex is based on the style of classical Chinese palaces: the prayer hall is a brick-and-wood structure with blue brick walls, a roof covered in colorful glazed tiles, and Tibetan-style gilded vases standing on the roof ridge. The fusion of Han-style architecture, Tibetan-style decorations, and Islamic prayer functions is quite rare among similar mosques.Xining · 48.8km from Huangyuan
Huangshui River
Huangshui River, also known as Xining River, is an important tributary of the upper Yellow River and the mother river of Xining. The water in the river mainly comes from the melting water of snow-capped mountains, so the water flow will be larger in summer, and the air will be wetter than other places in the urban area, and there are many greenways and parks by the river. The environment is relatively fresh and it is a good place for walking.Xining · 21.2km from Huangyuan
Murong Ancient Village
Xining · 23.6km from Huangyuan
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Free things to do in Huangyuan
Danggar Ancient Town
Huangyuan · 1.4km from downtownHuangyuan Gorge
Huangyuan · 6.5km from downtownQinghai Province Museum
Xining · 44.9km from HuangyuanGansu Provincial Museum
China · LanzhouQinghaisheng Huangyuanxian Gudao Museum
Huangyuan · 29.8km from downtownZhangye Giant Buddha Temple
China · ZhangyeImmediate access, Book now for today, Cancel anytimeMojia Street
Xining · 47.8km from HuangyuanDongguan Mosque
Xining · 48.8km from HuangyuanHuangshui River
Xining · 21.2km from HuangyuanMurong Ancient Village
Xining · 23.6km from Huangyuan
More ways to travel from Huangyuan
What travellers say about Huangyuan
152***821 August 2026
5.0
It's a very quaint ancient town with a relaxed commercial atmosphere. Many local residents live there, and many ancient buildings are free to enter, such as the City God Temple and the Confucian Temple. Prices are very reasonable: incense is 3 yuan, butter lamps are 1 yuan, and small souvenirs are 10 yuan. Walking through the ancient town after the rain is very pleasant, and it's not crowded.
Danggar Ancient Town
顺时针198623 July 2020
5.0
In summer, Qinghai is accompanied by yellow and blue. It is so beautiful that no matter how many words are used, they are pale. When you leave Xining and go to Qilian and Menyuan, the first stop is Huangyuan Gorge. Xining→Huangyuan Gorge→Jinyintan Prairie→Gangcha→Chaka Salt Lake→Bird Island→151 Base→Guide→Xining, this is an absolutely classic self-driving route, with few tourists and excellent scenery.
Huangyuan, the prosperous throat of Haizang, the combination of farming culture and grassland culture, is also an element of the Tang-Tibet Ancient Road and the Southern Silk Road. Huangyuan Gorge, especially those rock paintings and stone carvings engraved on the cliffs, make passing guests abandon their cars and stop to watch. Huangyuan Gorge is not long, but there is a scene at every step. In addition to the ancient sites and scenic spots such as Fule Cliff, Crescent Bay, Shiyazhuang, and Beigucheng, the most attractive scenery is the green mountains and strange rocks and the sea of green forests. In the summer, when you pass through the gorge, you will see green trees swaying on one side, green grass and strange rocks on the other side, and clear water flowing in the mountain stream. Especially in the narrow valleys on both sides of the Qinghai-Tibet Highway, crops such as wheat, rapeseed, and broad beans grow well in the strips of forests.
When the car enters Huangyuan County, it will pass through the extremely long Huangyuan Gorge all the way to Riyue Mountain. There are high mountains and rushing rivers in the gorge. Even if there are no rapeseed flowers and flocks of migratory birds, it is worth going all the way to see it. Whether you are cycling or driving, the unique scenery along the way will make you intoxicated.
Huangyuan Gorge
GKC8816 May 2026
5.0
対華夏文化要更深入瞭解4千年前的演變和西寧的扮演重要角色，這博物院有很多的資料。近年來考古隊伍在西北這塊地域也交出漂亮的成績。信息量高。陳列很條里。值得一游。
Qinghai Province Museum
M14***996 October 2026
5.0
Lina, the lecturer at the Gambo Museum, is exceptionally skilled. During the two-hour learning experience, she demonstrated a thorough understanding of the chronological order and comparative analysis of the artifacts, meticulously integrating historical evolution with everyday life. I look forward to the completion of the new Gambo Museum and visiting it again next time.
Gansu Provincial Museum
柚子胡椒15 October 2026
5.0
The Western Xia Royal Temple is conveniently located in the city center. The most impressive part upon entering is the Great Buddha Hall, housing Asia's largest indoor clay reclining Buddha, a truly magnificent sight. The hall also contains precious murals. Besides the reclining Buddha, the ancient scriptures in the Sutra Repository and the wood carvings in the Shanxi Guild Hall are worth examining closely. Overall, it wasn't crowded, and the atmosphere was quiet and solemn.
Zhangye Giant Buddha Temple
布晓呆8 July 2023
5.0
Mojia Street is located in the downtown area of Xining. It is an old street. There are not many tourists during the day, but the night market opens at night, attracting countless diners to come and taste. The main feature is barbecue, three or five people per table, accompanied by beer, this is the night life of Xining.
Mojia Street
左右Zz19 June 2025
5.0
The Dongguan Grand Mosque in Xining City is a rare and solemn building. The nine gold-plated regular script characters "Xining Budongguan Grand Mosque" are inscribed on the middle door lintel, and the inside and outside of the other door lintels are inscribed with gold-plated Arabic classic quotations. The "Hundred-Character Praise" inscribed by Zhu Yuanzhang, the first emperor of the Ming Dynasty, for mosques across the country is preserved in the temple and is embedded in the wall of the middle door, which is worth seeing.
Dongguan Mosque
张鹏Patrick18 August 2022
5.0
Huangshui River is a river flowing through Xining City. It is the mother river of Xining and the largest tributary of the upper Yellow River. On both sides of the river, green trees, greenways, bridges of various shapes and the river flowing eastward form a unique landscape painting.
Huangshui River
