The full name of Huzhu County is Huzhu Tu Autonomous County, which also known as “Gonlung County” in Tibetan. Huzhu County is located in northeast of Qinghai Province and it is only Tu people autonomous county in China.
The sleeves of Tu women’s clothes are made of red, yellow, black, green, white and other colors, just like the rainbow in sky. Therefore, it is regarded as “hometown of rainbow”.
Location
Huzhu County is adjacent to Tianzhu Tibetan Autonomous County and Yongdeng County in Gansu Province to northeast, Ledu District to southeast, Ping An District across Huangshui River in south, Datong County to west, and Xining City to southwest.
Huzhu county is about 64 kilometers wide from north to south, 86 kilometers long from east to west, with a total area of 34,249 square kilometers. County seat is Weiyuan Town, about 40 kilometers away from Xining City
Best time to travel
Throughout a year
Local climate
Temperate continental climate
Most popular sites
Beishan National Forest Park is located in northeast of Huzhu Tuzu Autonomous County, Qinghai Province, with an altitude of 2100-4308 meters and a total area of 1127 square kilometers.
Baimasi monastery is also known as “Kanchen Gonpa“. It was founded in 1654 AD (The Second Propagation of Tibetan Buddhism) and it is located in Baimasi Village, Hongyazigou Township. In 1959, it was listed as a provincial cultural relic protection unit. With a total area of 4,516 square meters. Baimasi monastery is composed of assembbly hall, monk’s dormitory, grottoes, statues of Vajra Buddha, and large stupas in cliffs of mountains. It was destroyed three times in Qing Dynasty, Republic of China, and Cultural Revolution. It was reopened in August, 1980.
Youning monastery, also known as “Gonlung Jampaling“, is 35 kilometers east of Weiyuan Town. Founded in 1604, it originally governed 49 monasteries and gompas, with more than 20 living Buddhas. During reign of Emperor Kangxi of Qing Dynasty, Youning monastery reached its heyday. There were more than 2,000 courtyards including large and small halls, monk’s dormitory,and Angqian, and more than 7,000 monks. It also has four colleges: Exotoric Buddhism, Esoteric Buddhism , Kalachakra, and Medical. It is one of the most well-known Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in Amdo.
Quezang monastery, also known as “Chubzang Ganden Migyurling“, was built in sixth year of Emperor Shunzhi of Qing Dynasty (1649 AD). Temple Lord II, living Buddha of Quezang monastery was one of the earliest Hutuktu edicts in Qinghai’s religious circles.
Wufeng Temple was built in fifteenth year of Emperor Chongzhen of Ming Dynasty (1642 AD). It is a Chinese classical temple building and belongs to Taoism
Geography and climate
There are no lakes in Huzhu Tu Autonomous County, and there are 8 natural rivers, all belonging to Yellow River Basin and Huangshui River System, with a total length of 2,895 kilometers. Qingshiling of Daban Mountain Range runs through entire territory from northwest to southeast, dividing it into two parts. Its terrain unit is generally called Beishan or Houshan as Tibetan townships of Baza and Jiading; southwest of Qingshiling is collectively called Qianshan.
Southern end of Huzhu county is Huangshui River Valley Basin at an altitude of more than 2,100 meters. To north, there are hills and mid-high mountains at an altitude of 2400-3500 meters. In north-central area, there are Longwang Mountain, Xianmi Daban Mountain and Dongyan Mountain at an altitude of 4242-4374 meters with height difference of 2274 meters.
Huzhu County is affected by Siberian monsoon and cold current in winter, and southeast coastal typhoon in summer. Annual average temperature is 5.8℃, the extreme maximum temperature is 30.3℃, and the extreme minimum temperature is -26.9℃;
Population and ethic groups
As of 2011, total population of Huzhu Tu Autonomous County was 370,000, mainly Han people, of which Tu people accounted for about 17% of total population, as well as Tibetan, Hui, Mongolian, Manchu, Korean, Dongxiang, Bai, Uygur , Zhuang, Miao, etc.
Brief history
In 221 BC, Qin Dynasty unified ancient China, Huzhu area was under jurisdiction of Qin Dynasty
In 121 BC, Huzhu area was under jurisdiction of Linqiang County.
Around 210 AD, Huzhu area belongs to Xiping County
During Northern and Southern Dynasties, Huzhu area was under jurisdiction of Shanzhou
During Sui Dynasty, Xiping County was restored and Huzhu area was under jurisdiction of Xiping County.
In 23rd year of Emperor Taizong of Tang Dynasty (649 AD), Tang Dynasty set up Dudu Mansion of Shanzhou. Huzhu area was under jurisdiction of Shanzhou Dudu.
In 1104 AD, Shanzhou was changed to Xining Prefecture. Huzhu area belonged to Xining Prefecture.
During Yuan Dynasty, Huzhu area was still under jurisdiction of Xining Prefecture.
During Ming Dynasty, Xining Prefecture was changed to Xiningwei. Huzhu area was subordinate to Xiningwei.
In Qing Dynasty, Xiningwei was changed to Xiningfu. Huzhu area was under Xining Prefecture
In 2nd year of Republic of China (1913), Huzhu area belonged to Xining Dao, Gansu Province.
In 18th year of Republic of China (1929), Qinghai was formally established as a province, and Huzhu area was subordinate to Xining County.
In 19th year of Republic of China (1930), Huzhu County was officially established , and it was directly under jurisdiction of Qinghai Provincial Government.
From 1960 to August 1961, Huzhu County was under jurisdiction of Xining City.
From 1961 to 1978, Huzhu County was a county directly under jurisdiction of Qinghai Province.
In 1978, Huzhu County was under administration of Haidong city, till now
