The Average altitude of Qilian Mountain（Chinese name: 祁连山草原） ranges in the 4000 meters to 5000 meters above sea level, mountain snow formed a long and wide glacier landscape which is magnificent spectacle. More than 4000 meters altitude, where known as the snow line, the Qilian Mountains above the snow line often appears opposite biological phenomena. In the shallow layer of Snow Mountain, there are famous snow mountain meadow plant mushroom, precious medicinal materials Saussurea involucrata, and a snow mountain grass grows under the wind erosion of rock. Therefore, saussurea involucrata, silkworm, snow mountain grass are collectively known as the “three durable plants in winter” in Qilian Mountain snow line. Qilian Mountain grassland and its representative Damaying grassland is in the basin between Yanzhi Mountain and Qilian Mountain. Every year in July and August, the Qilian Mountain is still covered by snow, but grassland near Qilian Mountain is full of horses, cattle, sheep adorned among the grassland.
The four seasons of Qilian Mountains are never very clear, spring is not like spring, and summer is not like summer. The so-called "Qilian snow in June" is portraying of Qilian Mountain’s climate and natural landscape.
The primeval forest of Qilian Mountain scenic area is very charming. After the summer begins, among hills is a vast green sea. The primeval forest area of Qilian Mountain is 157000 hectares, more than 200 cubic meters of forest resources. It is one of the largest forests areas in Qinghai province. Here are spruce, Sabina chinensis, and poplar and whip hemp, black thorn, and other trees such as mountain willow shrubs. In addition, the dense forest of Qilian Mountain, there is many roaming herds running, or wandering, shows a strong, elegant ecosystem.
Transport
From Xining it would take all day long to Qilian by bus with present price 36 yuan.
(Long-distance bus station is located in the north of end of Jianguo Road, about 600 meters away from the railway station in south)
Charter a car cost 2 Yuan per kilometer. If you want to charter a car, you must charter from Xining because it is difficult to charter SUV in Qilian.
Accommodation
Travelling in the Qilian Mountain, generally only in the county government base there are hotels.
In
Qinghai lake area, the hotel is numerous, with better facilities, and various styles of counting house hotel.
In North Sea and North South and other important town, you can find the star rating hotel.
Food
Qilian mushroom is very famous, many restaurants use specialty mushroom as ingredient here. Tibetan, Mongolian, Hui Nationality are good milk tea makers, and the milk tea here is sweet and nutritious, you can drink some more. One Tibetan dim sum here called "Tuzi" is sweet and delicious.
Tips
1. The minority is mainly Hui Nationality, Tibetan, when travel to the region, pay attention to cultural differences. July to September is the peak tourist season; it is also the best season for travel, so the housing prices are higher. 2. Driving to a few tourist attractions around town, instead of seeing special tourist attractions, when you see good scenery, you can stop to look at. 3. There are many mountain roads, the road is narrow and curved, pay attention to safety driving. Within Mountain plateau climate, at least bring a set of outside and pants. Ultraviolet ray is strong in plateau, be sure to apply sunscreen. 4. The county food is developed; there are many restaurants like Sichuan food and Muslim food.