Guide
“Of all the Yellow River, it runs clear at Guide”: an emerald Yellow River against the multicolored Ashigong Danxia, pear blossoms, an old walled town and hot springs—an easy day trip from Xining.
Guide County belongs to the Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Qinghai Province and lies in the Yellow River valley about 110 km south of Xining. At about 2,200 m, it is lower and milder than Xining and is nicknamed “Qinghai’s Little Jiangnan.” It is best known for the saying “Of all the Yellow River, it runs clear at Guide”: upstream reservoirs settle out the silt, leaving the river here clear and emerald green, and along the riverbanks in town are the Huangheqing National Wetland Park, the Qingqing Yellow River Scenic Area and Qianzi Lake. The Ashigong multicolored peaks northeast of town and the Zhacang Hot Springs to the southwest are both part of Guide National Geopark, where red Danxia landforms contrast with blue-green water. Cultural sights include the Ming-dynasty Guide Ancient City and its Yuhuang Pavilion, the Wenchang Temple revered by both Han and Tibetans, and Tibetan Buddhist monasteries such as Niena and Zhenzhu. Pear blossoms bloom in mid-to-late April, the loveliest time of year, while Jun–Sep is best for water activities and cycling. Getting there: buses and chartered cars run from Xining; by car, the S101 crosses Lajishan Pass at about 3,820 m and takes about 2 hours. Longyangxia is about 50 km to the west. Allow 1–2 days: one for the Yellow River, the old town and the Wheel of Fortune near town, and one for the geopark and hot springs. UV is intense on the plateau and mornings and evenings are much cooler, so bring sun protection and a jacket; please respect religious customs when visiting monasteries.
Top sights
- Yellow River Qing National Wetland Park – The best place to see “the Yellow River flowing clear through Guide,” with emerald water, a waterwheel plaza and riverside trails for cycli…
- Guide National Geopark (Ashigong Danxia) – Seven-coloured Danxia peaks northeast of the county town. Canyons such as Nüwa Gorge and Tongtian Gorge, along with a geology museum, make…
- Guide Ancient City & Yuhuang Pavilion – A small ancient town enclosed by Ming-era rammed-earth walls. Its centerpiece, Yuhuang Pavilion, is a wooden tower complex from the Ming an…
- Zhonghua Fuyun Prayer Wheel – A giant prayer wheel structure on the banks of the Yellow River. Visitors can spin the wheel inside, and climbing up offers views over the…
- Qingqing Huanghe Scenic Area – A riverside area on the west side of the county seat where you can take a boat, speedboat, or sheepskin raft to experience the clear waters…
- Qianzi Lake – A wetland lake on the north bank of the Yellow River, with a broad water surface and abundant waterbirds. It is the heart of the Qianzi Wat…
- Guide Pear Orchards – Ancient pear orchards in Guide, known as the “Pear Capital.” In April, the blossoms look like snow against the emerald Yellow River and red…
- Zhacang Hot Spring – A group of natural hot springs in the Reshui Gully about 15 km southwest of the county seat, with more than 20 springs. Part of the Guide N…
- Guide Wenchang Palace – A Ming-era Taoist temple in Hexi Town, worshipped by both Han and Tibetan communities. It is one of the larger Wenchang temples in Qinghai.
- Minyak Monastery & Stupa – A Tibetan Buddhist monastery in the county seat. Its white Minyak stupa is one of Guide’s landmarks, and worshippers often walk around it i…
- Zhenzhu Monastery – A Tibetan Buddhist monastery on the south bank of the Yellow River, built into a hillside terrace with views over the river valley and the…
- Longyangxia – A reservoir set in a high-plateau gorge, known as the “First Dam on the Yellow River.” Its water is a brilliant blue, and a large solar far…
- Laji Mountain Pass – A mountain pass at about 3,820 meters on the road from Xining to Guide, lined with prayer flags and cairns, with views toward the Qilian fo…
Itineraries
- Yellow River Valley: Guide, Rebgong & Xunhua – Follow the Yellow River Valley to explore Guide Danxia, Kanbula, Rebgong art villages, and the homeland of the Salar pe…
- Qinghai Lake Loop with Chaka and Guide – A leisurely loop of Qinghai Lake, with day trips to Chaka Salt Lake and the Yellow River at Guide.
- Golog, Yushu & Nangqian: 10-Day Deep Kham Itinerary – Head south from Xining via Guide, Maqên, and Madoi to Yushu and Nangqian, venturing deep into the Kham region of the Sa…
- Amdo Loop: Golog, Gannan & Rebgong – A classic Amdo loop starting from Xining, passing through Golog, Langmusi, Labrang Monastery, and Rebgong, before retur…