Hoh Xil

​​Geographical & Ecological Marvel​​

Hoh Xil, the ​​"Third Pole"​​ of Earth, is a ​​4.5-million-hectare​​ wilderness straddling Qinghai, Tibet, and Xinjiang. Its ​​UNESCO-listed​​ landscape includes:

• ​​Glacial Systems​​: 2,000 km² of glaciers like ​​Bukadaban Ice Cap​​ feeding 107+ lakes, including ​​Ulan Ul Lake​​ (544.5 km²).
• ​​Extreme Climate​​: Sub-zero temperatures year-round, with ​​91°C hot springs​​ bubbling amid permafrost.
• ​​Biodiversity​​: 230+ animal species thrive here, including:
  • ​​Tibetan antelope​​ (Pantholops hodgsoni): 60,000+ roam freely, completing Earth's ​​last great terrestrial mammal migration​​.
  • ​​Snow leopards​​, ​​wild yaks​​, and ​​black-necked cranes​​—84 plant species are ​​endemic​​.

​​Conservation Legacy​​

• ​​1997​​: Established as China's ​​first national reserve​​ for Tibetan antelopes after poaching reduced populations to 20,000.
• ​​2017​​: UNESCO recognition for protecting the ​​complete antelope migratory route​​.
• ​​Current efforts​​: Anti-poaching ​​"Mountain Patrols"​​ (featured in the film Kekexili) and ​​cross-border coalitions​​ with Tibet/Xinjiang.

​​Must-See Wonders​​

1. ​​Zonag Lake​​
   • The ​​primary antelope calving ground​​, where thousands gather each summer.
2. ​​Kunlun Mountains Pass​​
   • Gateway at ​​4,772m​​ with ​​snow leopard sightings​​ and Silk Road beacon towers.
3. ​​"Five-Color Landscape"​​
   • ​​Photography hotspots​​ where blue lakes, white glaciers, yellow grasslands, red cliffs, and grey peaks converge.

​​Visitor Guidelines​​

• ​​Access​​:
  • ​​From Golmud​​: 4hr drive via ​​Qinghai-Tibet Highway​​ (permit required).
  • ​​No independent travel​​—only guided tours (e.g., China Highlights).
• ​​Best Time​​: ​​July-August​​ (10°C daytime; winter roads close).
• ​​Ethical Tips​​:
  • Maintain ​​300m distance​​ from wildlife.
  • Pack ​​oxygen tanks​​—altitude sickness risks at 4,600m+.

​​Pro Tip​​: Watch sunrise at ​​Chumar River​​—golden light ignites the antelopes' amber coats.