Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture is situated in the southwest region of Qinghai Province, neighboring Sichuan in the southeast, Xinjiang in the northwest corner and Tibet in the south and southeast. Within Qinghai, it is bounded on the north by the Haixi Mongol and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture and neighbors the Guoluo Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in the east.
Facts of Yushu
Full Name: Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture
Chinese Name: 玉树藏族自治州 (yù shù zàng zú zì zhì zhōu)
Location: in the southwest region of Qinghai Province
Area: 198,000 square kilometers (76,448 square miles)
Population: 270,000
Nationalities: Tibetan
Administrative Division: 6 counties: Yushu (Gyegu), Zaduo (Zadoi), Chengduo (Chindu), Zhiduo (Zhidoi), Nangqian (Nangqen), Qumalai (Qumarleb)
Seat of the Prefecture Government: 14, Minzhu Lu, Jiegu Town,Yushu County
History of Yushu
Yushu was inhabited by the Qiang, an ancient tribe in northwest China. In its history, it was governed successively by several Tibetan regimes. Yushu Special District was established in 1949 and changed to Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Region two years later, then changed to an autonomous prefecture in 1955.
What to see in Yushu?
The prefecture of Yushu is situated on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau with most of the region 4,000 meters above the sea level. It is the fountainhead of the Yangtze River, the Yellow River and the Lancang River. Ravines and valleys have been cut by the rivers in its southeastern part. Here lists top attractions in Yushu.
Horse racing festivals are the most popular sport game in the grasslands. The grandest one is held annually on 25th, July, lasting one week. The site is in Zhaxigou, which is only three kilometers from Jiegu Town. Apart from the delightful horse racing, colorful tents, beautiful traditional costumes and ornaments of the Kangba Tibetan people as well as the folk songs and dance are some of the wonderful sights during the horse racing festival.
When to visit Yushu?
The prefecture enjoys a continental plateau climate with high altitude and cold climate as its most outstanding features. Yushu weather has distinct warm and cold seasons, respectively lasting four to five and seven to eight months. The annual average temperature of this region is below zero. June to October is much warmer and more favorable to visit this prefecture.
How to reach Yushu?
Yushu Batang Airport is located in Batang Town and is about 18 kilometers (11 miles) to central Yushu. Now, it has opened direct flights to/from
Beijing,
Chengdu, Xi'an, Lhasa and Xining.
Having Jiegu Town as a center, a transportation network has gradually been created, with national highways as the main framework, supported by developing country roads. From these roads, visitors can get directly to Xining, Lanzhou or places in Sichuan Province. The bus station in Jiegu Town is situated in Shengli Lu and regular buses to Jiegu Town can be found in Xining's long-distance bus station in Jianguo Lu.
Yushu Prefecture is vast. Renting a vehicle to travel around may be a better choice if visitors travel by themselves. Private jeeps and minibuses are available in the central square of Jiegu Town.
Yushu Travel Tips
1. Religion: Tibetans make up ninety-seven percent of the prefecture's total population. It is an area with its entire population believing in
Tibetan Buddhism. There are 192 Tibetan Buddhist temples here, nearly thirty percent of the total in
Qinghai.
2. Traditional ethnic costumes: The climax of the horse racing festival happens on the last day. Men's robes usually have bands made of tiger or panther skins, while the women's are striped with otter skin. The women's costumes, especially, are made more luxurious by wearing ornaments. They wear ornaments made of turquoise, pearl, coral, carnelian and silver or golden amulets. So, a set of ornamented garments is very expensive.
3. Special Local Products: Tibetan medical herbs and ornaments.
4.
China Post: 99, Shengli Lu, Jiegu Town
5. Useful Telephone Numbers:
Tourist Complaints: 0976-8822521
Weather Forecast: 121
Zip Code Inquiry: 184
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