Ping An district, also known as “Tsongkha Khar County”, is a municipal district under Haidong City. It borders Ledu District, Haidong City in the east; Xining City and Huangzhong County in the west, Hualong County in the south, and Huzhu Tuzu Autonomous County in the north. Covering an area of 769 square kilometers, the district seat is Pingan Town. Ping An District is one of the two municipal districts of Haidong City. Ping An County was established in 1979, and it was changed to Ping An District in 2015.
Ping An District was an important post on the ancient Tang – Bo Ancient Route and the southern line of the “Ancient Silk Road”. It is known as the “Selenium Capital” on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. It is one of the important political, economic, cultural, transportation, scientific, technological, and educational center in the eastern part of Qinghai Province.
Best time to travel June to October
Local climate Temperate continental climate
Most popular sites
Xiaqun Forest Park is the only natural forest in Ping An District. The “Liu Yue Liu” Flower Festival is held on the sixth day of the sixth lunar month in the scenic area annually.
Hongshuiquan Mosque is one of the ancient mosques in Hongshui Village. It was built in the Ming Dynasty wih distance of 30 kilometers from Xining city. The total area of the Mosque is more than 6000 square meters. The overall building is a typical Chinese traditional Han architectural style, which is significantly different from the exotic style of the traditional early Islamic architecture.
Xiazong monastery, also known as “Shadzong Ritro” in Tibetan, is in Wayaotai Village. Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelug Sect of Tibetan Buddhism, who was only three years old, was taken to the temple by his father to be ordained in the late Yuan Dynasty. The monastery, is a sacred place for eminent monks, and many monks in history had practiced meditation process here.
The former residence of the Dalai Lama is located in Hongya Village (also, Taktser), Limeyao Township, where the 14th Dalai Lama was born. The Dalai Lama’s former residence are all wood-structured buildings. The doors, windows, slabs and beams are decorated with fine carved patterns, which are antique and elegant. The two-story main building on the north side is carved with beams and painted buildings.In 1985, the whole building was renovated
Geography and climate
Most areas within the Ping An District are mountainous areas. The Huangshui River flows through the entire territory from west to east. The terrain is high in the south and low in the north, and slopes from southwest to northeast. Most areas are between 2,066 and 2,300 meters above sea level.
The mountains are located in the southern part of Ping An district with an altitude of 3100 to 4166 meters.
Ping An district has long sunshine hours, strong solar radiation, dry and windy spring, cool summer, cold winter, and the four seasons are unclear. , The annual average temperature is 7.6℃, the average temperature of the hottest month is 19.2℃ (July); the average temperature of the coldest month is -5.6℃ (January). Rainfall is unevenly distributed during the year, with an annual rainfall of 310 mm and a frost-free period of 218 days.
Population and ethnic group
As of 2014, the total population of 127,500 people is mainly Han, as well as Hui, Tibetan, Tu, Salar, Mongolian, Manchu, Dongxiang, Tujia, Miao, Yao, Yi, Korean, Baoan, and Uygur. There are 17 ethnic minorities, including ethnic groups, Daur, Zhuang and Bai.
Brief History
In 111 BC, The Han Dynasty army entered the Huangshui Valley, and the Ping An area was included in the Han Dynasty’s territory.
In 60 BC, Ping An area was under the jurisdiction of Xidu County
In 581 AD, Ping An area was under the jurisdiction of Huangshui County.
From AD 757 to AD 851, Ping An area was occupied by Tubo kingdom
From 1015 AD to 1104 AD, Ping An area was under the jurisdiction of the local chieftan of Jiao Siluo
During Yuan Dynasty and Ming Dynasty, Ping An area belong to Xining
In the 35th year of the Republic of China (1946), Ping An area was under the jurisdiction of Huangzhong County.
In 1960, Ping An area under the jurisdiction of Xining City, and Xining Ping An District was established
In 1978, Ping An County was set up
In 1979, Pingan County was formally established.
In 2015, Ping An County was revoked and Ping An District of Haidong City was established
