Full Name: Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture
 
Chinese Name: 黄南藏族自治州 (huáng nán zàng zú zì zhì zhōu)

Population: 220,000  

Area: 18,771 square kilometers (7,248 square miles) 

Nationalities: Tibetan, Mongol, Han, Hui

Administrative Division: 3 counties (Tongren, Jianzha, Zeku); 1 autonomous county (Henan Mongol Autonomous County)  

Seat of the Prefecture Government: 10, Xiaqiong Zhong Lu, Longwu Town, Tongren County 

Useful Telephone Numbers: Tourist Complaints: 0973-8728181
                                          Weather Forecast: 121
                                          Zip Code Inquiry: 184

China Post Huangnan Branch: 51, Xiaqiong Zhong Lu, Longwu Town, Tongren County

Location: Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture is seated in the southeast region of Qinghai Province, neighboring Haidong Perefecture in the northeast, Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in the northwest and Guoluo Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in the southwest. It also shares boundary with Gansu Province in the southeast.

History: Before the Western Han Dynasty (206BC-24AD) conquered it in 61BC, Huangnan region was inhabited by the Qiang people, an ancient tribe in western China. One year after the subjection, Heguan County was established there. It was once the domain of Tubo regime in Tibet during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture was established in 1955.
 
Physical Features: Huangnan lies in the plateau area in southern Qinghai. With the Maixiu Mountain in the center as a limit, the south region of Huangnan is simple and haploid in geology. The terrain slopes gently to the north and the east and there are vast grassland distributed, while the northern part is precipitous with many high mountains, gorges and mesas between mountains.                

Climate: Huangnan Prefecture enjoys a continental plateau climate with clear dry and wet seasons, long, chilly and dry winter and short, refreshing and humid summer. The annual average temperature range of the whole prefecture is around -0.9℃ to 8.5℃ (30.4℉ to 47.3℉). 
     
When to Go: July to September is the best period to visit Huangnan Prefecture.   

Special Local Products: orange, Mabao (fungus), Chinese caterpillar fungus

 Attractions:
Being the first national geo-park in Qinghai, Kanbula National Forest Park is a scenic area with Danxia Landform as the main sight. It is adjacent to the Yellow River in the north and close to the magnificent Lijiaxia Hydropower Station. The red mountains in Kanbula and the green lake in Lijiaxia Reservoir set off perfectly with each other, forming a beautiful natural painting. 

There is a grand natural limestone cave in Henan County, called Fairy (Xiannv) Cave, which is enigmatic and deep. Inside the cave, there are magnificent halls, mysterious underground lakes and pools. 

Aqiongnanzong Temple is the largest nunnery of Rñin-ma-pa (Ningma or Red) sect of Tibetan Buddhism with more than 1,100 years of history. Another influential Buddhist site is Longwu Temple which belongs to Buddhist architecture of Gelug (Gelu) Sect of Tibetan Buddhism.

Travel Tips:
The only means to travel around Huangnan Prefecture is by bus. Anchored by the county seats of each county, the transportation is not troublesome because noted scenic spots are all not far away from these county towns. Highways connect the prefecture with Xining, the capital city of Qinghai Province, Xiahe county, and Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture in southern Gansu. Xining is about 181 kilometers (112 miles) from Huangnan, about four hours drive.