Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (in short Haibei Prefecture) is located on the northeastern part of Qinghai Province and it covers an area of 34,100

square kilometers. The average altitude of this region is 3100 meters above the

sea level. The altitude of the river valley on the eastern region is about 3000

meters above the sea level and the altitude of the western part is over 3500

meters. Haibei Prefecture is vast in territory with quite a small population. It is a gathering place of

many different nationalities. Until the end of 2005, there are totally 272,000

people in Haibei Prefecture and 63.37% of them are the

minorities. In Haibei Prefecture, there are

about 27 nationalities, such as Han Nationality, Tibetan, Hui Nationality,

Mongol and Tu Nationality and so on. Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture has jurisdictions over Menyuan Hui Autonomous County, Qilian County, Gangca

County, Qinghai Lake Farm and Tongbao Pasture. Besides, the prefecture capital is located in Xihai

Township of Haiyan County.

The main characteristics of Haibei Prefecture lie in three aspects as follows:

First, Haibei Prefecture enjoys important role for its ecological environment. Haibei Prefecture is located on the source

areas of Huangshui River, Hei River and Datong River and it is an important water

sources on the upper reaches of Yellow River.

Besides, it is also a critical source of water supply to Qinghai Lake.

It is a natural ecological barrier for the eastern part of Qinghai Province and Hexi Corridor.

Second, the natural resources are rich

here.

Third, the tourist resources here are

particularly favored by the nature. In Haibei Prefecture,

the abundant tourist resources here are full of local features and have many

different types. There are distinctive highland sceneries like lakes, deserts,

grassland, Snow Mountains, forests and valleys. There

are not only natural sceneries, but also many historical and cultural relics. Qinghai Province marks out 82 excellent scenic areas in the province and 22 of them are located

in Haibei Prefecture. The most well known scenic

spots in Haibei Prefecture are Qinghai Lake,

Birds’ Island, Sand Island, Jintan and YintanGrassland and Yuanzi City.

They earn great glory at home and abroad.