Temples and Monasteries, sacred mountains, holy lakes in Amdo
Amdo is unique with the majestic natural scenery of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The well-known Qinghai Lake is China’s largest inland saltwater lake. The thousands acres of rapeseed flowers that bloom in July and August each year attract many tourists.
The Yangtze River and the Yellow River are two of China’s most famous rivers that are both originated in Qinghai. The source of the Yangtze River is beautiful. Ice towers with height of dozens of meters are numerous, just like a ice tower forest, which towering into the clear sky, lingering for dozens of miles, like a crystal peak and peaks, in various poses.
The source of the Yellow River is pleasant, the lakes and creeks are dotted with stars, which is very spectacular.
Amdo has a golden sea of flowers, dazzling snow-capped mountains, and clear blue water. It is also a multi-ethnic community, with Han, Tibetan, Hui, Mongolian, Tu, Salar, and other ethnic groups, all of which are with unique folk customs.
Amdo Attraction Guide is about the view spots, monasteries of Amdo, which takes up a large area from the Machu River (Yellow River) to the Drichu river (Yangtze River).
Amdo is composed of Qinghai, South of Gansu, and North of Sichuan, from Qilian mountain to the north separate Gebi desert from Tibetan plateau, then Changtang plateau to the west connects to the central Tibet. In the south, Kham, another part of the eastern Tibet is closely connected to Amdo.
Travel Tips
- Ultraviolet ray is very strong in Amdo, sunscreen is needed
- Dry in Amdo, it is recommended to drink plenty of water
- Pork products is NOT welcome in a halal restaurant. Alcoholic is NO sale in halal restaurant. However, some halal restaurants allow you to bring and drink your own alcohol in some regions
- Generally, non-Muslims are not welcome to visit the mosque during worship time, and you should only take photos after you have obtained consent.
- Tibetan Sky burial is not welcome to watch, a permission from the family is needed before watching

Be advised In Amdo, the temperature is not high even in summer, which could reach 30 degrees for only a few days in July and August. The usual temperature is just slightly more than 20 degrees. The temperature difference between morning and evening is large. In summer time, it is ok to wear short sleeves in Xining, however, a wind proof jacket shall be needed when you travel to Kokonor lake even in the same day. suggesting to come with your thick clothes even if visiting Amdo in summer.
Monasteries, Lakes, Mountains in Amdo
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Kham Attraction
Monasteries, mountains, lakes in Kham
Kham Destination
Cities, counties, towns and villages in Kham
Tibet Attraction
Cities, counties, towns and villages in Tibet
Tibet Destination
Cities, counties, towns and villages in Tibet