Full Name: Haidong Prefecture

Chinese Name: 海东地区 (hǎi dōng dì qū)

Population: 1,552,000 

Area: 13,160 square kilometers (5,081 square miles) 

Nationalities: Han, Tibetan, Hui  

Administrative Division: 2 counties (Ping'an, Ledu); 4 autonomous counties (Minhe Hui and Tu Autonomous County, Huzhu Tu Autonomous County, Hualong Hui Autonomous County, Xunhua Salar Autonomous County) 

Seat of the City Government: 229, Haidong Lu, Pingan Town, Pingan County 

Useful Telephone Numbers: Tourist Complaints: 0972-8612403
                                         Weather Forecast: 121
                                         Zip Code Inquiry: 184

Bank of China Haidong Branch: Lanqing Lu, Ping'an Town, Ping'an County

China Post Haidong Branch: Yangjiaqiao Lu, Ping'an Town Ping'an County

Location: Haidong Prefecture is situated in northeastern Qinghai Province, neighboring Gansu Province in the east. The capital city of the province, Xining, is bordered by Haidong in the west.      

History: According to archeological discoveries, this area was proved to be inhabited by human settlers. Before the Qin Dynasty (221BC-206BC), nomads of the Qiang lived here. In the early Western Han Dynasty (206BC-24AD), the troop of the court defeated the Huns in the west of the Yellow River, and a fortress was established in the city to protect against the invasion of nomad groups. 
 
Physical Features: The region is located in the transition area between the Loess Plateau and Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Medium and low mountains, hills and valleys constitute the main types of Haidong's landform. Offshoots of the Qilian Mountains stretch northwest and southeast through the region, together with the Datong River, the Huangshui River and the Yellow River.                      

Climate: Enjoying a semi-dry continental climate, Haidong features arid and cold weather at high altitudes, lot of sunshine and great temperature differences during the day. It has an annual average temperature of 3.2-8.6℃ (37.8-47.5℉). Its northern mountainous area is colder and valleys along the Yellow River and the Huangshui River are warmer. The majority of rainfall occurs from July to September.       

When to Go: May to September is the golden season to visit Haidong, especially in cool July and August when most places in China are extremely hot. Several local festivals and ceremonies are usually held during this period.

Special Local Products: barley wine, Tibetan carpet

Local Highlights: Nadun Meet of the Tu ethnic minority usually lasts over two months from the mid seventh lunar month to the Ninth in order to celebrate the good harvest and make wishes for the future. Hua'er Hui (Folk Song Fair) in Qili Temple (Formerly Cili Temple) will attract people from near and far to participate in the song fair in the sixth day of the sixth lunar month.

 Attractions:
Mengda Heavenly Lake in Xuhua Salar Autonomous County is the core scenic spot of the Mengda Tianchi Nature Reserve. It covers an area of 300 mu (49 acres) with an alpine lake that compliments the blue sky, surrounding mountains and trees constituting the natural kingdom of plants in Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.  

Qutan Temple located 25 kilometers (16 miles) south of Ledu County, is a building complex first constructed in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). It is a famous Tibetan Buddhist temple in Qinhai Province, but it bears more features of the Han Buddhism and its layout is similar to the Forbidden City in Beijing. The temple is famous for its cache of rare cultural relics, grand architecture and exquisite murals. 

Other Scenic Spots: Beishan National Forest Park, Liuwan Site

Travel Tips:
Xining Caijiabao Airportis about 7.5 kilometers (4.7 miles) from Ping'an County of Haidong. Buses to counties of Haidong are available from the Xining Long-Distance Bus Station in 1, Jianguo Lu in front of the Xining Railway Station. Along the expressway, Ping'an County can be reached from Xining in about twenty minutes.