Mengda Nature Reserve（孟達天池）

Located about 110 kilometers (68.35 miles) southeast of Xining in the Xunhua Salar Autonomous County, the Mengda Nature Reserve is a flourishing area of natural beauty. It boasts for its amazing scenery and a wet and mild climate, which may explain how it has won itself a nick name “highland Xishuangbanna.” (Xishuangbanna is a fairyland inis the tropical southern region in China’s Yunnan Province).

Established in 1980, the reserve is the first reserve focusing on plant protection in Qinghai. Covering a total area of 9,544 hectares, it features primeval primeval forest, a large variety of exotic flowers, waterfalls and many wild animals. Looking from a distance at the Mengda Heavenly Lake in the reserve, the lake is like a pearl on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. It is a perfect place for hiking and boating.

Admission:70 yuan (US$10.99)/person