Haixi

City overview

Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, located in western Qinghai Province, lies in the heart of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. With vast land but sparse population, it is a multi-ethnic region blending Mongolian and Tibetan cultures. Known for its abundant salt lake resources (e.g., Chaka Salt Lake) and unique plateau landscapes, its economy relies on salt chemical industry, renewable energy, and tourism. It is an ideal destination to explore plateau ecology and ethnic customs.

Basic information

Geography and climate

Detailed introduction

Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (Haixi Prefecture) is an autonomous prefecture under Qinghai Province. Covering about 300,000 square kilometers—comparable to a province in eastern China—it has a permanent population of only 480,000, making it sparsely populated. With an average altitude above 3,000 meters, it features a typical plateau mountain climate: low annual temperature, strong UV radiation, and large diurnal temperature variation. Summers are cool, while winters are cold and dry. Haixi has a long history as a key passage on the ancient Silk Road’s Qinghai route, where Mongolians and Tibetans historically lived as nomads. Today, it is renowned for rich mineral resources, especially salt lakes. Chaka Salt Lake and Qarhan Salt Lake are not only major potassium fertilizer production bases but also popular tourist attractions. Additionally, Haixi is developing wind and solar energy, making it an important clean energy base in China. In terms of education, Haixi has a few higher education institutions such as the Kunlun College of Qinghai University (Golmud campus), but overall educational resources are limited. For international students, Haixi is more suitable for short-term research or cultural immersion rather than long-term academic study. Living conditions are basic: urban facilities are adequate, but healthcare and commercial services lag behind eastern cities. The local population is predominantly Mongolian and Tibetan, with Chinese, Mongolian, and Tibetan languages used. The people are simple and hospitable.