The Yangtze River, also called Changjiang, is the third longest river in the world with a total length of 6380 kilometers. The river originates from the Geladandong Snow Mountain, the peak of Tanggula Mountains in Qinghai province. The source area of the Yangtze River is a magnificent landscape with snow-capped mountains, ice peaks, vast grassland, the blue sky and the white cloud reflected in the river, which constitutes a refreshing natural beauty and waiting for your exploration.

The best time to visit the Yangtze River source scenery in Qinghai province is from June to November. It will be too cold to visit there in winter. The below 3 - day exploration tour starts from Gulmod and ends at Tanggula Mountain pass. The sightseeing is mainly along the Qinghai - Tibet highway towards south of Gulmod. En route you will have the chance to experience the extraordinary sceneries on the plateau.

On the first day, start your tour from Gulmod. You may choose to take the Qinghai-Tibetan train, but in this way you can not fully appreciate the scenes along the way. The best way is to charter a car for you can stop anywhere you would like to stay longer and take photos and it is not so tired as hiking tour brings.

The first day's drive takes you from Gulmod to Kunlun Mountain pass which is about 160 kilometers south of Gulmod. En route, you may pay a visit to the Gulmod Hydropower station over upstream of the Gulmod river and the Nachitai Spring which is the first ice-free spring in Kunlun Mountain although it is located in the extremely cold area with an altitude of 3540 meters. With a large and stable water supply and containing the trace elements beneficial to human body, the Spring is reputed as "mannose on the ice mountain". Upon arrival at the Kunlun Mountain pass, you will see the stele indicating it. Looking from afar the grand scene in the distance, you will feel yourself a dot in the endless horizon. You can visit the Yuxu Mountain with an altitude of over 6000 meters located on the east and west side of Kunlun Mountain pass. It is snow-capped all year round.

On the second day, continue driving to the emphasized Yangtze River source for a visit. Upon arrival, you will see the Stele read "Changjiangyuan" which is written by the former Chinese chairman - Jiang Zemin. Near the Stele stands the first bridge upstream of Yangtze River. You may spare your time to tour around the area.

On the third day, drive another 200 kilometers to Tanggula Mountain pass which is the watershed of the Yangtze River and Nujiang River with an altitude of 5231 meters. There exists one of the world's highest highways. If you take the railway, you can get off at the Tanggula Mountain stop and have a view of the majestic Tanggula Mountain.