China

Qinghai Hoh Xil

WHS Score 2.98 Votes 13 Average 3.46

Qinghai Hoh Xil represents the landscapes and biodiversity of the high-altitude Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.

Temperatures average sub-zero year-round, which has kept it free from modern human influence. Glacial meltwater supplies the many rivers, lakes and marshlands. The site is also important as a calving area and place of seasonal migration of large numbers of Tibetan antelope.

Community Perspective: The G109 highway as well as the Xining - Lhasa train cut right through the core zone, but you won’t see much that way. Zos managed to make a very adventurous entry but still missed out on the Tibetan antelopes.

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Site Info

Official Information
Full Name
Qinghai Hoh Xil (ID: 1540)
Country
China
Status
Inscribed 2017 Site history
History of Qinghai Hoh Xil
WHS Type
Natural
Criteria
  • vii
  • x
Links
UNESCO
whc.unesco.org
All Links
UNESCO.org
News Article
  • Feb. 16, 2025 english.scio.gov.cn — How Hoh Xil transforms from poaching hotspot to model for wildlife protection

Community Information

  • Community Category
  • Wildlife habitat: Fauna
  • Natural landscape: Mountain
Travel Information
No travel information
Recent Connections
View all (14) .
Connections of Qinghai Hoh Xil
Geography
Ecology
  • Bovines
    Wild yak
  • Bears
    Brown bear
  • Mammal Migrations
    Tibetan antelope
  • Gray Wolf
  • Steppe
    Central Tibetan Plateau alpine steppe ecoregion, "an extensive area of alpine mountains and steppe systems at elevations of over 4,500m above sea level" (AB ev)
  • Extreme temperatures
    This extensive area of alpine mountains and steppe systems is situated more than 4,500 m above sea level, where sub-zero average temperatures prevail all year-round. (source: short description UNESCO website)
Human Activity
WHS on Other Lists
  • Plant WHS not in a CPD
    "High levels of endemism within the flora of the property are associated with high altitudes and cold climate and contribute to similarly high levels of endemism within the fauna" (OUV)
18
News
english.scio.gov.cn 02/16/2025
How Hoh Xil transforms from poachi…
Recent Visitors
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Community Reviews

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First published: 31/12/21.

Zos M

Qinghai Hoh Xil

Qinghai Hoh Xil (Inscribed)

Qinghai Hoh Xil by Zos M

[Visited Oct 2021]

Planning a trip to Hoh Xil is really a challenge for foreigners. The pandemic made it even harder. As a devout WHS traveller, I was determined more than ever to complete China this year, having been trapped inside the Covid bubble.

Planning

It would make sense to combine Hoh Xil with Lhasa/Tibet to minimize cost and maximize the experience. After all, the Qinghai-Tibet Railway already traverses the core zone.

It seemed straightforward at first. But not really. Even if I would consider a “pass by” as a WHS visit, it had to be during the day. I could not find information online about which train would do it. I had to calculate the predict the course based on the scheduled departure from the closest stop. Visiting in October, I also had to account for the shortened day length when the sun rises late and sets early.

The best chance would be the Z165 train departing from Lanzhou at 18:37 and arriving at Lhasa close to 25 hours later. This train would be in Hoh Xil core zone before sunset the next day.

Like most of us here, I would not be contented with just passing by. I want to actually be in Hoh Xil. Stand on its soil. Have an immersive experience with just me, the mountains and the sky.

It was not easy looking for an organized tour. Most of the agencies that offer tours for Tibet and Qinghai …

Keep reading 0 comments
First published: 02/02/19.

Zoë Sheng

Qinghai Hoh Xil

Qinghai Hoh Xil (Inscribed)

Qinghai Hoh Xil by Zoë Sheng

I am finally writing a review because I have decided I will never REALLY visit the site, and I doubt most tourists have the chance. It is actually super easy to visit but like so many national parks in China the protected area not accessible which are the best part I suppose. The G109 highway as well as the Xining - Lhasa train cut right through the reserve and thus you will have been at Hoh Xil. You won't see much from here but maybe a glimpse of the antelopes extant to this very much uninhabited area. Apparently there is a huge problem with poaching for the underpaid police force, with volunteers helping out (source of this info may be censored news). I do mention this because it makes me wonder how it got listed and not directly onto the in-danger list but I suppose national parks in Africa can have this problem without getting the committee on their @ss right away. Perhaps the idea is that the recognition will lead to stronger support for the area, already there is a communication improvement in the works with satellite dishes at police stations. I should help next time some geologist gets lost in the reserve.

So I had visited this years ago and wanted to join a tour for a proper visit. First of it is not easy to search for it because there is a Chinese movie by the same name as the reserve so most results will be …

Keep reading 0 comments