Yushu, Administrative prefecture in Qinghai Province, China.
Yushu is an administrative prefecture in the high plateau of southwestern Qinghai with steep mountain landscapes that extend across the terrain. The area sits at consistently high elevation, where valleys lie between snow-capped peaks and remain sparsely populated throughout.
The area received Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture status in 1951, marking its new role within China's administrative framework. This restructuring brought significant changes to how the region was governed and politically organized.
The region is a center of Tibetan Buddhism, where monasteries following Kagyupa and Sakyapa traditions shape how people observe religious practices and celebrate local festivals.
The climate is harsh with long, cold winters and short, warmer summer months, making the best visiting season between June and September. Travel requires preparation for thin air and low temperatures, especially when arriving from lower elevations.
The region is the birthplace of three of Asia's largest rivers: the Yellow River, Yangtze, and Mekong all originate here. This convergence makes it a hydrographic hub that supplies water to millions of people downstream.
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