[2025 Guide Attraction] Travel Guide for Qinghai Guide National Geopark (Updated Jun)

Yesterday, while driving from Huangluo to Haidong along National Highway 227, I unexpectedly encountered a stunning national geopark. Qinghai Guide National Geopark is located in Guide County, Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province. In August 2009, it was officially listed as one of the fifth batch of national geoparks due to its unique geological features. The park boasts diverse geological relics, including sandstone peak clusters, Yellow River valley landscapes, and wind-eroded landforms—each showcasing nature's extraordinary craftsmanship. Inside the park, the Ashigong Peak Cluster resembles a vibrant painting, meticulously sculpted from ancient Paleogene and Neogene multicolored sandstone layers. The Mawu Gorge's wind-eroded niches are spectacular, with varied forms that look like nature's carefully crafted artworks. The Yellow River in Guide presents a unique braided river system, forming multi-level terraces, along with mid-channel bars, point bars, and even a reverse-flowing river. The He'erjia Profile is like a thick geological history book—a typical cross-era section spanning the Pliocene to Pleistocene, with a thickness of 193 meters, documenting a complete sequence of fluvial-lacustrine sedimentation. 📍Location: Guide National Geopark, Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province 🚗Travel Tip: Self-driving is the best option, as the park is conveniently located right beside the national highway. 💵Ticket Info: Adult ticket + sightseeing shuttle costs 95 RMB in total. 💡Travel Advice: Many scenic views can actually be enjoyed outside the park—along both sides of the highway, nature's wonders are everywhere. Additionally, the nearby Yellow River Wetland Park is worth a visit for a different natural experience. "Guide boasts the clearest waters of the Yellow River"—here, you can witness a completely different side of the Yellow River.

❤Recommendation reason: Guide National Geopark is located in Guide County, Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province, China. It is a natural scenic spot featuring Danxia landforms and Yellow River scenery. 🌟Highlights: [One] Danxia landform: There are large areas of red sandstone in the park. After long-term weathering and erosion, Danxia landforms of various shapes have been formed, which are colorful and magnificent. [Two] Yellow River Scenery: The Yellow River in Guide has a gentle flow and clear water, forming a unique landscape of "the Yellow River in Guide is the clearest in the world". [Three] Diverse landforms: In addition to the Danxia landform, the park also has a variety of landform types such as canyons, peaks and forests, and caves, showing a rich history of geological evolution. 📝Note tips: [1:00] Best time to travel: May to October every year is the best time to visit Guide National Geopark, when the climate is pleasant and the scenery is most magnificent. [Bus] Transportation: Starting from Xining, drive along the Xijiu Highway for about 2 hours to reach Guide County. The park is relatively close to the county seat.

The Qingming short holiday is here! Want to visit Jiuquan, Zhangye, and Haixi? Check out this super practical guide for an amazing 8-day trip! -- 🚩Itinerary: DAY 1: Depart from Daxing Airport 🛫—Arrive in Zhangye Depart from Beijing Daxing Airport and fly to beautiful Zhangye, ready to embark on a wonderful journey through Northwest China! DAY 2: Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park—Danxiakou Cultural Tourism Town Explore the magical colors of the Rainbow Mountains and marvel at nature's breathtaking artwork. In the evening, experience authentic Northwest culture at Danxiakou Cultural Tourism Town. DAY 3: Jiayuguan Fort—Son of the Earth—Mogao Caves Visit the ancient Jiayuguan Fort and experience the majesty of the Great Wall. Then, visit the Son of the Earth sculpture and experience the fusion of art and nature. Finally, head to the Mogao Caves and explore the treasures of Buddhist art from thousands of years ago. DAY 4: Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Moon Spring—Dachaidan Emerald Lake Listen to the singing sands at Mingsha Mountain and admire the tranquil beauty of Crescent Moon Spring. Afterwards, head to Dachaidan Emerald Lake and immerse yourself in the magnificent scenery of this salt lake. DAY 5: Chaka Salt Lake & Chaka Sky One Scenic Spot—Qinghai Lake Erlangjian Scenic Area Stroll along Chaka Salt Lake and experience the magic of the "Mirror of the Sky." Then, head to Chaka Sky One Scenic Spot to continue exploring the mysteries of the salt lake. Finally, arrive at Qinghai Lake Erlangjian Scenic Area and experience the vastness of the plateau lake. DAY 6: Ta'er Monastery Visit Ta'er Monastery and experience the rich cultural heritage of Tibetan Buddhism, admiring the ancient temple architecture and exquisite Buddhist art. DAY 7: Guide National Geopark, Ashgon Colorful Peak Cluster Scenic Spot Visit Guide National Geopark, admire the magnificent Ashgon Colorful Peak Cluster, and experience the magical charm of nature. DAY 8: Depart from Zhangye 🛫—Arrive at Daxing Airport End your pleasant Northwest journey, fly from Zhangye, and return to Beijing Daxing Airport. Looking forward to your next trip! ✨ -- Things to prepare before departure: 👕 **Clothing**: Bring light long sleeves and warm jackets to cope with the temperature difference between day and night in Jiuquan, Zhangye, and Haixi. Don't forget comfortable sneakers for outdoor activities! 🎒 **Accessories**: Sunglasses and sun hats are essential for sun protection and style. Lip balm prevents dry lips, and rain gear is also necessary in case of sudden weather changes. 💳 **Documents**: Important documents such as ID cards, driver's licenses, and travel insurance certificates are essential for a worry-free trip. 💊 **Medicine**: Common medicines such as painkillers and band-aids are good to have on hand for peace of mind. 📷 **Equipment**: Cameras or mobile phones to record the beautiful scenery of Jiuquan, and power banks to ensure you don't run out of battery! -- Jiuquan, Zhangye, and Haixi offer stunning scenery along the way. Don't forget to bring your camera to capture every beautiful moment of your Northwest journey!

In this vast land of Qinghai, there are unique natural landscapes every month. The spring and summer are beautiful, and the autumn and winter are stunning, bringing us endless surprises and touches. Let us follow the footsteps of the seasons and appreciate the different beautiful scenery of Qinghai. January: The sunrise over Laji Mountain accompanies us as we tell stories day after day. When the first ray of sunshine of the year rises over Laji Mountain, the golden light embellishes the new day and brings infinite hope for the new year. Watch the stars and the moon disappear, the east turns white, until that bright light ignites the silent sky. The sky is clear, the red clouds are lingering, and the dazzling light makes people fall in love with it at first sight. February: As night falls, the ancient city of Danggar is ablaze with lights. The ancient city of Danggar comes only for the "lights". The ancient city writes a piece of warmth for you and looks forward to spending a beautiful new year with you among the lights of thousands of homes. Wandering along the colorfully lit corridors, the bright moon and the starry sky complement each other, creating a natural and picturesque scene, just like a fairyland on earth. March: In March when Longyangxia is still cold and warm, the spring snow breaks free from the shackles of winter and comes singing as promised, covering the sky and the earth. In Longyangxia, when the sky clears up after the snow, the blue and white colors interweave to create a refreshing and clean feeling. Every blade of grass and every tree is covered in silver, and every mountain and every river is of the same green. The continuous spring snow is endlessly gentle and is winter’s gift to spring. April: Hualong The clear water of the Yellow River flows through Hualong, looking back affectionately at the beautiful Qunke, and is the first to spread the green of early spring on this land. The willow breeze is not cold on your face, and the breath of spring is everywhere in this poetic and picturesque season. The spring breeze blows and the flowers bloom. May: Guide If the spring of the plains begins with the green of seeds breaking through the soil, then the spring of the plateau begins with the white of snow in Guide. A gust of spring breeze blew by, and the pear blossoms bloomed. Amidst a sea of ​​riotous colour, the pear blossoms in Guide are fresh, refined, pure white and elegant, like a ray of white moonlight that is isolated from the world. June: The beauty of the sunset and morning dew in Heima River has always been the most attractive, but in Heima River these beauties are magnified and contagious. Waiting for a sunrise at Heima River, the soft light and beautiful sky are a unique experience. July: In July, hundreds of acres of flower fields are in full bloom in Menyuan, and the mountains and fields of rapeseed flowers are full of mountain leisurely fun. Everything you look up and down is gorgeous, like a shining pearl, beautifying the whole summer. August: Qilian "The beautiful pastures at the foot of the Qilian Mountains" were once loved by Marco Polo. The long Qilian Snow Mountains and vast grasslands have made the Hexi Corridor famous. The grassland is vast and green, dotted with horses, cows and sheep. When the breeze blows, people will feel like returning to nature and entering a dream. September: Emerald Lake If Chaka Salt Lake is the mirror of the sky, then Emerald Lake is the clothes of the earth. Emerald green, mint blue, and milky white are like carefully crafted jades inlaid in the earth. The Emerald Lake has various shapes and depths. Due to the different minerals and salt concentrations and light in the lake, it presents a charming and colorful scene. Whether viewed from afar or up close, it is as beautiful and dazzling as jade. October: In the golden autumn season of Maixiu National Forest Park, there is no rush or noise in Maixiu National Forest Park, only the picturesque tranquility and splendor of snow-capped mountains and clouds. Maybe most people have never stopped here, but if it is autumn, the scenery here must be charming enough. Being in it, it feels like being in Monet's oil paintings, and you can see the beautiful scenery of wheat fields under the swaying shadows of the trees. November: On a winter morning in Qinghai Lake, the whooper swans that overwinter in Qinghai Lake bask in the warm sun, sometimes swimming in the water, sometimes spreading their wings and flying, adding vitality to the quiet scenery here. Under the warm sun of a rising winter morning, water vapor rises from the Heima River, and flocks of swans appear like fairies emerging from the water after a bath, in a quiet and harmonious atmosphere. December: The Amnye Machen Snow Mountain stands majestically in Machen County, Golog Prefecture, the birthplace of Gesar culture, deep in the snowy plateau. The snow-capped peaks are set against the clear blue sky, and the continuous mountain ranges are covered with snow all year round. The mountains are majestic, with various shapes and forms, the ridges are majestic, and the ice is crystal clear. There is a different scene every month, but that is far from enough to describe the poetic landscape of Qinghai. Let’s set off now to unlock a whole year of heart-warming scenery and meet the most beautiful scenery at the most beautiful time. Qinghai Lake·Qinghai, Chaka Salt Lake, Zhuoer Mountain, Menyuan Hundred Miles of Rapeseed Flowers, Guide National Geopark Ashgong Colorful Peaks Scenic Area.

Traverse the Northwest's sprawling landscapes, including the Yellow River Grand Canyon, Longyangxia Earth Forest, and the A'shigong National Geopark, where every step resonates with history and every scene unfolds like a breathtaking painting. The Yellow River Grand Canyon, located in Gansu Province, China, features the Yellow River Three Gorges as one of its core attractions, encompassing the Bafang Gorge, Gushan Gorge, and Liujia Gorge. These gorges captivate visitors with their dramatic cliffs, the magnificent Yellow River dam, and stunning lake and mountain scenery. The area also boasts a rich collection of stone carvings, statues, and murals dating from the Northern Wei to the Tang and Song dynasties, holding immense historical and artistic value. The Longyangxia Earth Forest National Geopark, situated 15 km northwest of Longyangxia Town in Qinghai, presents a primeval world of gullies, barren hills, and secluded valleys, offering a unique and rugged natural landscape. With sparse vegetation, an arid climate, and diverse soil types, the earth forest displays a variety of formations, some resembling rolling waves and others towering palaces, exuding a raw, untamed beauty that draws visitors in. The A'shigong National Geopark is renowned for its distinctive multicolored Danxia landforms and rich geological features. The vibrant hues of red, yellow, and green create a striking contrast, shaping the diverse rock peaks, pillars, and walls into a magnificent natural tapestry. The bizarre cliffs and peaks shimmer under the sunlight, transforming every mountain and valley into a captivating spectacle.

⛰【Attractions Guide】 📍Detailed address: Guide County, Qinghai Province 🚗Transportation Guide: [Car][Bus] 🕙Opening hours: 08:50-17:50 💰Ticket price: HKD95 🌟Highlights: The natural landscape of the Northwest, bold and rugged, the wonders of nature 📌Tips: The scenery is beautiful. It will be colder and drier after October. Please check the weather in advance and make preparations

Located in Guide County, Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province, Guide National Geopark was approved as the fifth batch of national geoparks by the Ministry of Land and Resources in August 2009. The main geological relics are sandstone peak forest landform, Yellow River valley landscape, and wind erosion landform.

📍Detailed address: Xijiu Highway, Guide County, Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province Location: Ashgong Colorful Peak, Guide National Geopark Cong Scenic Area 🕙Business hours: 09:30-17:00 open What are the attractions in Guide? ① Yellow River Qing Bridge: The water of the Yellow River begins to change color from here, from clear water to yellow. ② Qianzi Lake: A group of swamp lakes and wetlands in the Yellow River Basin, which is relatively rare in the wetlands at the source of the Yellow River. ③ Chinese Fortune Wheel: A famous prayer wheel, the main body of the prayer wheel is 42 meters high, of which the prayer cylinder is 26.3 meters high and 10.22 meters in diameter. The base is 15 meters high. It is the largest prayer wheel in the world and was awarded the Guinness World Record in 2012. ④ Guide Ancient City: With the cultural soul of the ancient city of "harmony and peace, settlement and reclamation", it revolves around the core theme of building China's Guide "harmony culture" (i.e. tolerance, integrity, filial piety, diligence and thrift communication base), highlighting the leading position of the temples and monasteries with the Jade Emperor Pavilion as the "Fulcrum of Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism culture" in the ancient city scenic area, with the goal of building "China's most rustic ancient city" Relics: Sandstone peaks, Yellow River valley landscape, wind erosion landforms

Ashgong Colorful Peaks is located in Tongren County, Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province, China. It is one of the core landscapes in Kanbula National Geopark. This area is famous for its unique and rich landforms, especially its colorful Danxia landforms, which have become a holy place for photographers and explorers. ### Natural Wonders Ashgong Colorful Peaks were formed by wind and water erosion over millions of years. These peaks present a wonderful scene of red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, and purple colors, like a rainbow on the ground, which is breathtaking. Every sunrise and sunset, the changing light makes the color of the mountain more vivid and distinct, like a huge natural oil painting. ### Exploration Tour Visiting Ashgong Colorful Peaks, you can not only enjoy the shocking landform landscape, but also learn about the secrets of the earth's billions of years of changes. Walking through the canyon, you can see various strange rock pillars, stone bridges, caves and other geological forms along the way. Every turn may bring unexpected surprises. ### Ecology and Culture In addition to natural landscapes, the area also retains rich biodiversity, and a variety of rare wild animals and plants inhabit and reproduce here. At the same time, the Ashgong area is also one of the birthplaces of Tibetan culture. The local traditional villages, temples, murals and other cultural heritage are also worth visiting to learn about the history and beliefs of Tibet. ### Practical Information - **Best time to visit**: The best time is from late spring to early autumn, when the climate is suitable, the vegetation is lush, and the colors are more vivid. - **How to get there**: Take a bus from Xining or Lanzhou to Tongren County, and then transfer to local transportation or rent a car to Ashgong Colorful Peaks. - **Precautions**: The plateau has strong ultraviolet rays, so be sure to take sun protection measures. At the same time, respect local culture and customs, maintain environmental hygiene, and do not damage natural landscapes at will. Ashgong Colorful Peaks is not only a visual feast, but also a popular science tour about the mysteries of the earth, and a deep thinking about the philosophy of harmonious coexistence of life and nature. For those who love nature and yearn for adventure, this is undoubtedly a rare destination.

The colorful Danxia in Guide is simply a masterpiece of nature. The peaks here are stacked, red, yellow, and orange, and the colors are staggered, as if a huge color carpet is laid on the earth. Whether it is the morning sun shining on the mountain, or the evening glow illuminating the entire valley, the whole picture is so beautiful that it is suffocating, as if in a dream. Here you can not only feel the magic of nature, but also experience the tranquility and shock of being in a fairyland. Every step is a new discovery, and every look is a different scenery. Whether you are a photography enthusiast or a travel expert, Guide Colorful Danxia will definitely make you amazing and can't stop.

🌎⚜️📡🎨 Guizhou National Geological Park in Qinghai Province is like a dazzling pearl embedded in the Yellow River Valley. Its unique Danxia landform, weathered and eroded over the years, has formed peaks and peculiar shapes, creating a natural wonder with colorful mountain bodies, like the 'Seven-colored Peaks of Xuanyuan Houtu'. It is a rare natural beauty in the world. The craftsmanship of nature, meticulously carved, crisscrossed, and vividly depicted, is colorful! These natural brushes, whether light or heavy, deep or shallow, outline lifelike and vivid scenes! Under the blue sky, it forms a natural geological wonder, composing an unparalleled epic of the Northwest! Here, there is the danger of Longyang Gorge's lock gate, the solidity of Songba Gorge's guard, surrounded by mountains, vast plains, and fertile land, known as the 'Little Jiangnan' on the plateau. Guide Geological Park can be compared to Yellowstone Park in the United States

On the second day of the Qinghai tour, we visited the Ta'er Monastery and Guide National Geopark. The monks in Ta'er Monastery are divided into two categories: those who study scriptures and those who engage in arts. The former recite scriptures, while the latter create butter sculptures, Thangka (embroidered paintings), and murals, which are known as the three unique arts of Ta'er Monastery. Approximately 1kg of milk can produce about 100g of butter. To prevent the butter from melting, the monks need to keep their hands constantly soaked in ice water to maintain a low temperature, resulting in many monks suffering from frostbite or even amputation. This is referred to as 'cruel art.' Photography is not allowed inside the monastery. Butter sculptures are not just flowers as the name suggests, but various lifelike figures of living Buddhas, monks, horses, and colorful blooming flowers, all intricately crafted. However, what I cannot understand is that the artworks must be burned after two years, and the monks then create new ones for worship. The monastery's ticket revenue is entirely managed by the monks, including ticket inspection, along with central government funding and donations from believers. The tour guide mentioned that they are quite wealthy🤑. In the corridors, you can see many believers coming to fulfill their vows. They perform long prostrations, also known as 'five-body prostrations,' bowing 100,000 times. Those in good physical condition can complete it in 2-3 months, while the elderly may take several years. Some monks also perform prostrations to increase their merit. The tour guide said that increasing merit is not only about prostrations; smiling at people, saying warm words, and being charitable can also increase one's merit. Guide National Geopark features unique Danxia landforms, primarily in red and gray colors. As soon as you get off the car, you are greeted by the magnificent natural landscape. The wave-like Danxia landforms stretch for several kilometers, displaying brilliant colors under the sunlight. For photography enthusiasts, this place is perfect for capturing stunning photos. The mountains are not high, about 600 meters, allowing for an easy and enjoyable climb to the top.

Guide National Geopark's Ashigong Colorful Peaks scenic area is a cultural tourism destination where natural landscapes dominated by Danxia landforms and the cultural landscape with earth culture as its connotation complement each other. It is located in Ashigong Village, Ganaerjiang Township, Guide County, hence the name. After entering the scenic area, you can first take a sightseeing bus (30 yuan per person) to Nuwa Gorge, then walk 1.4 kilometers, and continue on the sightseeing bus to the exit.

Guide National Geopark boasts landscapes comparable to the colorful Danxia of Zhangye, yet it is much less known, devoid of the throngs of tourists, evoking a sense of insignificance in the vastness of the world. The sky is high, the earth is wide, and strange rocks stand tall. The passage of time has left its marks on the canyons, and stepping into nature, one feels the insignificance of humanity. 📌 The park is vast, but there are few places to visit. I don't really recommend taking the tour bus inside the park, more on that later. 📌 Essential items: hat, water, comfortable shoes, sunglasses, sunscreen The weather was clear and sunny on the day I visited, with intense sunlight and dazzling brightness. It wasn't too hot, but the strong wind at the top of the slope could be quite chilling, so be prepared. ❗Special Attention❗ The whole journey takes about 2 hours. If you are with a tour group, the guide will rave about the park's tour bus, saying the park is huge and you need to take their electric car to get out in two hours, but you can get off at any time. They claim there are staff everywhere in the park, but in reality, there aren't. I didn't see many tourists throughout the journey. The sightseeing car will drop you off halfway, and you have to walk the rest of the way, which is not friendly for those who don't want to walk. The electric car ticket 💰60r is not worth it. Although the scenery here is quite nice, and it's supposed to be natural, there's too much human intervention, making it feel like a half-baked artificial attraction. They say there are staff everywhere in the park, but when you actually need to find someone, there's no one around, and many places are off-limits, with security even scolding you???

🌈🌈When it comes to Guide, it is also a famous place in Qinghai, with good climate conditions throughout the year, known as the 'Little Jiangnan of Qinghai'. Even in winter, Guide is not as cold as other areas. The saying 'The Yellow River is clearest in Guide' is well known, and indeed, in Guide, one can see the clear Yellow River. But another famous attraction in Guide is the Ashikong Qicai Peaks Scenic Area🏔🏔. The Danxia landform there is a natural wonder, spectacular, and also a relic of the geological evolution of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. I have also visited the Qicai Danxia in Zhangye, and I think the scenery here is just as magnificent. How to play🏕🏕: The fully developed scenic area is not large, and generally, it takes about 3 hours to enjoy the entire area. The scenic area is divided into three major parks: Ashikong Park, Yellow River Valley Park, and Mawu Gorge Park. There are shuttle buses connecting each attraction within the scenic area. Attractions include Nuwa Gorge, Xuanyuan Gorge, and Wentian Gorge, among which I think the most spectacular is Nuwa Gorge. In the valley, it's as if there are little figures embedded in the mountains. There is also a trail around Nuwa Gorge, which I highly recommend for fully experiencing the magic of the Danxia landform. Transportation tips🚙🚙: The scenic area is about 70 kilometers from Xining, which is roughly a one and a half hour drive. It is about 17 kilometers from Guide County, and you can either drive yourself or join a day tour group. The price for a chartered car is about 500-600 yuan. What to eat🥣🥣: There are many farm-style restaurants in Guide County, offering local dishes in a rural setting. I recommend Qingyuan Farm and Xiaobai Farmhouse, where you can enjoy local chicken, potatoes, and various beef and mutton dishes. Tickets📕📕: Currently, the ticket price for the scenic area is 95 yuan, which includes the shuttle bus. The opening hours are from 9:00 to 17:00. Tips🌹🌹 1. The ultraviolet radiation is very strong in the plateau area, so be sure to take precautions against sunburn. 2. The best time to visit the scenic area is in autumn and summer, and good weather is necessary to take beautiful photos.

Guide (Ashgong) National Geological Park 1 Located in Guide County, which has the reputation of 'Plateau Little Jiangnan' in Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture The Danxia landform here is beautiful and spectacular, not inferior to Zhangye 2 The Danxia landform in the scenic area is long-standing and peculiar, the mountain body presents seven colors, known as 'Seven-color Peak Cong Xuanyuan Houtu'. 3 Mainly composed of thirteen earth culture theme squares and Danxia canyons, Nuwa Gorge, Thousand Buddha Gorge, Tongtian Gorge, Seven-color soil, etc. are rare geological relics and natural wonders The Yellow River in Guide County is extremely clear, which is also the origin of 'The Yellow River is clear in Guide all over the world.'

In May, I have checked in at Zhangye's colorful Danxia, originally I just thought about the Guide National Geological Park as 'since I'm here, let's go', unexpectedly it turned out to be a beautiful place. Although it is also a Danxia landform, it is accompanied by lakes and green plants, and there is a feeling of foreign national parks. The scenery here is more diverse than the colorful Danxia. 📝Note tips: You must climb Nuwa Valley, otherwise you will miss a lot of beautiful scenery. This place is very suitable for taking pictures, remember to dress brightly.

In 2016, I joined the big V partners of several tourist circles to participate in Qinghai tourism activities. We came to the Guide National Geological Park to play. The natural scenery here is very unique and the geological rock formation is very rich. Its definitely another style to shoot big names here. You can also learn some science knowledge in the museum here.