Yeliguan Tourist Area, Gansu province

Yeliguan Tourist Area (冶力关旅游区yě lì guān lǚ yóu qū)

Address: Binhebei Lu, Yeliguan town, Lintan county, Gannan Tibetan autonomous prefecture, Gansu province
Opening hours: 9 am-4 pm
Ticket price: 30 yuan ($4.12) /person
Tel: (+86) 941-3272666

Located in the northeastern part of Lintan county, Gannan Tibetan autonomous prefecture, Yeliguan Tourist Area lies in the transitional zone between the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and the Loess Plateau. It is recognized as an ecological gem on the northeastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Renowned as a "world-class composite geological wonder", it integrates two core zones—Tianchi Yehai Lake and Chibi Valley—showcasing a harmonious blend of alpine lakes, danxia (bright crimson sandstone) landforms, primeval forests, subalpine meadows, and terraced flower fields.

Tianchi Yehai Lake, a rare natural alpine barrier lake on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, is encircled by snow-capped peaks and is as clear as crystal all year round. The Chibi Valley, formed between the Jurassic and Tertiary Periods, features a five-kilometer stretch of danxia cliffs adorned with fantastical stone pillars and peaks, serving as a living geological textbook.

The tourist area preserves an intact primeval forest ecosystem, with 70 percent vegetation coverage nurturing over 2,000 species of wildlife. As a strategic hub along the ancient Tang-Tibet Road and the Tea-Horse Trail, it retains the fortress relics of the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911). The unique local customs born from Han-Tibetan cultural fusion have been recognized as national intangible cultural heritage.

The Yeliguan Tourist Area showcases ecological marvels at the edge of the Earth's "Third Pole". In addition to numerous prestigious awards in China, including National Geopark, National Forest Park, and National Water Scenic Area, it has been honored by UNESCO as one of China's top 10 Cultural and Ecological Tourism Destinations.

Through its commitment to sustainable development and cultural preservation, the Yeliguan Tourist Area stands as a testament to China's stunning natural beauty and profound historical legacy, inviting global travelers to explore its unique wonders.