Sanjiangyuan

The headwaters region of the Yangtze, Yellow and Lancang Rivers, a hidden plateau ecosystem home to China's first national park.

Sanjiangyuan lies in southern Qinghai, the birthplace of the Yangtze, Yellow and Lancang (Mekong) Rivers, at an average elevation above 4,000 m; Sanjiangyuan National Park was formally established in 2021. In travel terms it mainly covers Yushu (Jiegu Town, Jiana Mani Stone Sutra City, Tongtian River, Lebagou), Guoluo (Nianbaoyuze, Amne Machin snow mountain, and the Yellow River source lakes Zhaling and Ngoring at Madoi), and the Yangtze source area around Zhidoi and Qumarleb. This is habitat for plateau wildlife such as the Tibetan antelope, wild yak and snow leopard, and the scenery is dominated by snow mountains, lakes, wetlands and vast grasslands. Common routes are Xining – Gonghe – Madoi (Yellow River source) – Yushu – Nangqian (via G214), or Xining – Jiuzhi Nianbaoyuze – Maqin – Madoi, 6–10 days by self-drive. High elevation brings a serious risk of altitude sickness, and supplies are scarce; the national park's core zone requires reservations or is off limits, and ecological protection rules must be followed. Tourist facilities here are limited, so the area is better suited to travelers with plateau driving experience or those joining a professional nature-observation tour; ecological experiences, nature education and wildlife observation are the core value of travel here, rather than ticking off sights.

Destinations

• Yushu
• Maduo & Yellow River Source
• Nyenpo Yurtse
• Maqên
• Nangqian
• Kunlun Pass & Hoh Xil

Itineraries

• 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…
• Western Qaidam Wilderness Crossing – A one-way journey from Xining to Dunhuang, passing through Hoh Xil, Water Yadan, Mangya, Eboliang, and Lenghu.
• Qinghai-Tibet Highway: Xining to Lhasa – Follow the Qinghai-Tibet Highway across Hoh Xil and the Tanggula Pass, passing Namtso to enter Lhasa.