Huangzhong district, also known as “Rushar County“, is under jurisdiction of Xining City. It borders Huangyuan County, Xining City to west, and Chengzhong District, Chengbei District, Chengxi District and Chengdong District to south, north and east, respectively.
Brief
Its altitude is 2225-4488 meters with an area of 2700 square kilometers; District seat is Russal Town, which is surrounded by mountains on three sides, and higher in south, west and north and slightly lower in southeast.
Huangzhong district has a long history and rich resources. It is an important town on ancient “Silk Road” and “Tang-bo Ancient Route”, with rich tourism resources. One popular site is Ta’er monastery (Kumbum monastery)
In addition, there are natural landscapes such as Qunjia National Forest Park, Shangwuzhuang Water Gorge, Dayuan Nanshuo Mountain, Shangxinzhuang Medicine Water Beach, and Lianhua Mountain Tourist Scenic Spot.
Best travel time
From May to October
Local climate
Temperate semi-arid climate
Most popular sites
Ta’er Monastery, also known as “Kumbum monastery” located in urban area of Huangzhong District, it was founded in 12th year of Hongwu of Ming Dynasty (1379 AD). It is named after big silver pagoda built to commemorate Tsongkhapa, whom was founder of Gelug Pa. Butter flowers, murals and pile embroidery are known as “Three Wonders of Art in Ta’er Monastery”, and there are also many Buddhist classics and academic monographs on history, literature, philosophy, medicine, and legislation. “Four Major Dharma Pujia” are held annually. It is one of six major monasteries of Gelug Pa of Tibetan Buddhism
Qunjia National Forest Park is located in Huangzhong County, at junction of Xining City, Haidong Region, Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture and Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, with total area of 11266 hectares
Geography and climate
Huangzhong District is a transition zone between Northwest Loess Plateau and Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. It is a cool-temperature and semi-arid area on Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Valleys are staggered and mountains and rivers are alternated. Topography and landforms are complicated. Terrain is high in south, west and north, and slightly lower in southeast.
Average annual temperature in Huangzhong District is 5.1℃, annual average precipitation is 510 mm, annual evaporation is 900-1000 mm, average frost-free period is 170 days, and sunshine hours are 2453 hours.
Huangshui River traverses middle of district from west to east. Fourteen rivers, including Dananchuan, Xinachuan, and Yunguchuan, are fan-shaped and gather Huangshui from three mountainous areas in south, west and north.
Population and ethnic group
As of end of 2018, Huangzhong district has a permanent population of 460,000, making it a large population area in Qinghai. Mainly Han, ethnic minorities include: Tibetan, Hui, Tu, Salar, Mongolian, etc.
Brief history
Before Qin and Han Dynasties, Huangzhong belonged to “Land of Qiang Rong”.
During Western Han Dynasty, Han army occupied Huangshui River Basin, Huangzhong area has since been included in territory of central government.
In Han Dynasty, Linqiang County was established, Huangzhong area was under its jurisdiction
During Eastern Jin and Southern and Northern Dynasties, Huangzhong area was successively ruled by separate regimes in Qianliang, Houliang, Nanliang, Western Qin and Beiliang.
During Sui Dynasty, Huangzhong area was under jurisdiction of Huangshui County
In Tang Dynasty, Shancheng County was established, and Huangzhong area was under its jurisdiction
At end of Tang Dynasty, Huangzhong area was occupied by Tubo kingdom
At beginning of Song Dynasty, Huangzhong area was ruled by Tubo kingdom; Soon, it was occupied by Jin kingdom and Xia regime successively,
At end of Southern Song Dynasty, Huangzhong area was under jurisdiction of Yuan Dynasty.
In Ming Dynasty, Huangzhong area belonged to Xiningwei. After Ming Dynasty, a large number of Han and Hui people moved into here, and gradually formed an area dominated by Han people, with Han, Hui, Tibetan and other ethnic groups living together.
In Qing Dynasty, Huangzhong area belonged to Xining County.
In 35th year of Republic of China (1946), it was first called Huangzhong County.
From January 1960 to July 1961, it belonged to Xining City.
In 1961, it was restored as a county directly under jurisdiction of Qinghai province.
In 1979, it belonged to Haidong region.
In 2000, it was under jurisdiction of Xining city
In 2019, Huangzhong County was abolished and Huangzhong District was established.
In 2020, Huangzhong County has officially since been renamed as Huangzhong District
