Things to do in Haidong

Summer vacation had just ended, so few visitors were present. The exhibits explained that the Lajia Ruins are a unique, prehistoric site of a major disaster, frozen in time. They posed several questions: 1. What caused the disaster to be frozen in time? 2. What is the relationship between the Lajia Ruins and Dayu's flood control efforts? These questions were answered by viewing the ruins and observing the archaeological research.

The Qiankunwan Museum consists of an introductory hall and three specialized exhibition halls: the Geological Science Hall, the History and Culture Hall, and the Folk Customs Hall. Together, they paint a magnificent picture of "Charming Yanchuan," showcasing the magnificent beauty and wonders of this land. The Folk Customs Hall is the museum's most vibrant corner. Reproductions of cave dwellings in northern Shaanxi recreate the scenes of life on the banks of the Yellow River. Yanchuan is known as the "Hometown of Folk Paper-Cutting," and its paper-cutting and cloth-stacked paintings have both been designated national intangible cultural heritage, showcasing the charm of this folk art.

There are many painted pottery in Liuwan Painted Pottery Museum, all of which are local unearthed cultural relics, showing the splendid ancient civilization of Hehuang area. The guide's explanation is also very good, and I learned a lot of historical and cultural knowledge from ancient times. It is very suitable to bring children to broaden their horizons and understand the past.

When visiting Xining, it's not just about seeing Qinghai's lakes and mountains; I also dedicated some quiet time to the Qinghai Tibetan Culture Museum. This national first-class museum is divided into north and south sections. The south section showcases a wide range of folk customs, while the north section focuses on Tibetan medicine, quietly housing the millennia-old civilization of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Taking the elevator directly to the fourth floor, I immediately encountered the museum's crown jewel—"A Grand View of Chinese Tibetan Culture and Art Painting." This 618-meter-long giant Thangka is the world's longest hand-painted Thangka, certified by Guinness World Records. It took 27 years to complete, involving over 400 painters from five provinces and regions, using natural mineral pigments ground from gold, silver, turquoise, and coral. The scroll slowly unfolds, revealing not only Buddhist stories but also the tales of Songtsen Gampo and Princess Wencheng, astronomy and calendrical calculations, Tibetan medicine, and the wedding customs and daily life of the plateau people—like a flowing encyclopedia of Tibet, every stroke a testament to craftsmanship. Walking slowly along the curved exhibition corridor, my gaze lingered on the intricate and delicate paintings, leaving me only with awe. Descending to the folk customs exhibition hall, one is immediately struck by the delightful surprises. The peacock costumes of Alipulan are particularly eye-catching, adorned with layers of turquoise, amber, and coral, magnificent and dignified—treasures passed down through generations. Various Tibetan robes, handmade carpets, Tibetan calligraphy, and Tibetan artifacts are displayed in orderly fashion, their patterns reflecting the diverse lifestyles and nomadic stories of the plateau. Ancient scriptures and scrolls are neatly arranged, the Tibetan script elegant and graceful, embodying the faith and cultural heritage passed down through generations. Moving to the North Hall, one enters the world of Tibetan medicine, free to visit, a truly unique experience. The hall displays Thangka paintings accompanying the Four Medical Classics, each illustration explaining the human body, embryos, herbs, and treatments; ancient surgical instruments and thousands of plateau medicinal herb specimens are arranged systematically. It turns out that Tibetan medicine is not a mysterious legend, but the wisdom of life discovered by the ancients on the plateau. Tibetan medicinal bathing therapy is a precious treasure listed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Throughout the exhibition halls, there is no noise. Listening to the explanations, I finally understood that the civilization of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau has never been isolated. Along the Tang-Tibet Ancient Road and the Tea Horse Road, various ethnic cultures met, blended, and nourished each other. The Thangka paintings, medical practices, and clothing we see are all marks left by this exchange and coexistence. After leisurely exploring the two museums, the setting sun cast its golden rays upon the Tibetan-style buildings. Rather than a rushed tour of scenic spots, here I truly understood the profound and gentle essence of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The plateau is not just about wind and wilderness; it also possesses a vibrant cultural power hidden in ink, textiles, and herbs. ✨Visitor Tips - Location: Xining Chengbei District Biological Park. The South Hall requires an entrance fee, while the North Hall is free. The two halls are separate and require walking between them. - Recommended order: South Hall, fourth floor, Grand Painting Exhibition → Continuing down to the Folk Customs and History Exhibition Halls, then to the North Hall to see the Tibetan Medicine Exhibition Area. - We recommend hiring a guide. Many of the stories behind the Thangka paintings and ancient books can only be understood with an explanation. - Civilized viewing: Do not touch the exhibits, view the long scrolls quietly, and do not use flash when taking photos.

撒拉尔故里民俗文化园位于循化县街子镇马家村，是集游客综合服务接待、撒拉族传统民俗文化展示、清真食品（民族用品）展销、撒拉尔传统民俗餐饮、特色农产品销售、体验式观光旅游等为一体、具有浓郁撒拉族传统民俗文化的县域重点文化旅游景区。漫游在“撒拉尔故里民俗文化园”中，人们仿佛在翻阅一部厚重的民族史书，透过一个个展区，恰似望见了撒拉族先民翻山越岭的艰辛，以及世世代代崇尚艳丽花木的柔情。走进古朴的撒拉族庭院，听着古老的传说，撒拉族人的形象便完整清晰地呈现在眼前，游人随即轻转脚步，纷纷在宣礼楼前流连，于篱笆楼内徘徊，细品一个民族的前世今生，解读精湛木雕背后的故事。

The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Wildlife Park was super fun! We saw all four of the "Plateau F4"—snow leopards, hares, Pallas's cats, and desert cats—things you can't see in other zoos. We saw Aoxue at the top of the mountain and Ling Xiaoming at the bottom. Ling Xiaoming was especially adorable; he was incredibly active after waking up. Although it was a cloudy and cold day, we still spent a full six hours there.