Qilian Mountain

Open Hours: All year around
Admission Fee: Free

The Qilian Mountain Grassland, with an average altitude ranging from 4000 to 5000 meters above sea level, presents a stunning landscape adorned with sprawling glaciers formed by the mountain’s perpetual snow. Beyond the snow line, which typically exceeds 4000 meters, the Qilian Mountains exhibit remarkable ecological phenomena. At these high elevations, unique plant species thrive, including the renowned snow mountain meadow mushroom, the precious medicinal herb Saussurea involucrata, and resilient snow mountain grasses that withstand the harsh conditions wrought by wind-eroded rocks.

Among these, Saussurea involucrata, the silkworm, and the snow mountain grass are collectively referred to as the “three enduring plants of winter” in the Qilian Mountain snow line. Nestled within the basin between the Yanzhi Mountain and the Qilian Mountain lies the Damaying Grassland, a representative expanse of the Qilian Mountain grassland. Despite the persistent snow cover that persists into July and August, the grasslands near the Qilian Mountain teem with life, as horses, cattle, and sheep graze amidst the verdant pastures, painting a picturesque scene against the backdrop of the majestic mountains.