Qiang Tang Grassland

Qiangtang, meaning "northern highland", is the north Tibetan plateau. Many mountains covers Tibet. Among the famous kunlung mountains, the Tanggula mountains and Ganddis mountains  covers 2/3 of the whole Tibet, with the total area of over 600 thousand square kilometers. The altitude if those mountains varies about 4000 meters above sealevel. The climate if the region is cold, windy and snowy. And such climate lasts for 8 or 9 months in a year. During this time, you can find frozen land almost everywhere. There is an old folk song sings: "The mysterious Qiangtang, it is so wild and desolate when you are here the first time; it becomes your lovely hometown when you get to know more."

Due to such severe climate, the north of Qiangtang Plateau is called "No People Area". But it on the other hand makes the place the paradise for rare animals. These animals live in the area of the north of the Gangdisi Mountains and Nyainqen-tanggula Mountains and the wide area south of Kunlun Mountains.  Thousands of wild animals live in the Qiang Tang Grasssland, including 40 specially proteced by the state or regional government, such as Wild yaks,Bharals, Tibetan wild donkeys, White-lipped deer, etc. Now they have been  in good condition in the area, with many rare animals researches being carried out every year.

There are vast prairies and glaciers, huge mountains and great lakes, hot springs, terrestrial heats in Qiangtang Nature Reserve. The best time to go there is during period from June to September, when the temperature is around 7-12 C. You can enjoy the beautiful view of the north of Tibetan plateau, feeling the gentle wind, bathing in the mild sunshine, and watching huge groups of cattles and sheep grazing around the mountains.

The region is also renown for animal husbandry. There are large range of pasture land and grass here. All are in high quality. The Yak, with the famous name of "plateau boat", and Tibetan antelope live in this area. Those herdsmen build their  homes, "dong wozi", by the foot mountains and the sides of lakes. In summer, they will put their simple packing on their horseback. Then, they will wander and herd around the boundless prairie, singing songs accompanying the melody of their footsteps. Their life is lonely, yet by hardworking and singing, they have created their beautiful and colorful life.