Kanbula National Forest Park – Qinghai's Top Choice National Park with Amazing Danxia Landform

Admire the Dazzling Danxia Landform in Kanbula

Danxia landform is a unique type of petrographic geomorphology formed from red sandstones and conglomerates of largely Cretaceous sage. If you have been to Zhangye, you must have seen the beautiful Danxia landform with brown, orange, yellow and white landscape in the result of sandstone and mineral deposits. This amazing view can be enjoyed in Kanbula National Forest Park as well. The Danxia landform of Kanbula is unique in its weirdness, precipitousness and exquisiteness. Its main features of odd peaks, caves and cliffs covers a total area of 13 square kilometers. There are totally 18 featured peaks with various postures, huge ones shaping like pillars, pagodas, towers, castles, etc., and smaller ones resembling human being and animals. Standing in the viewing-deck or walking along the winding trails caved on the cliffs, you may feel like entering a sculpture kingdom.

In addition to its aesthetic value, the landform of Kanbula also enjoys scientific significance. It records the dynamic geological processes inside and outside the earth since the Tertiary in the transition zone of the first and second level landforms in China, as well as the uplift of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and changes in climate and environment.

Besides getting amazed by the special landform, you will be given an awesome view of astonishing waterscape as well. The rich water resource endows Kanbula with flowing mountain streams, tinkling waterfalls and colorful rivers. Lijiaxia Reservoir is currently the largest double-row turbine hydropower station in the world and the third-level large-scale hydropower station on the upper reaches of the Yellow River. It is known as Kanbula's one remarkable attraction that integrates the scenic beauty and the functional use of irrigation, flood control and generation. The Yellow River in Lijiaxia Reservoir will give you a subversive impression of what the Yellow River looks like. Unlike the Yellow River you may have seen in other cities like Lanzhou, Yinchuan, Linfen (Hukou Waterfall), Luoyang, Zhengzhou, etc., the Yellow River in Kanbula is totally emerald green or sapphire blue in a fine day. No wonder, Qinghai is known as the "the source of the three rivers, the Chinese water tower".

Because of the water stored in the reservoir, many other attractions are formed in Kanbula National Forest Park, like Shaliu Bay, Shaliu Island, Ruqi Bay, Ruqi Island, and Golden Tortoises.

Kanbula National Forest Park is a site of special significance to conservation for its high flora and fauna diversity. There are more than 800 species of plants in the dense forest, ranging from temperate valley grassland, to a cold temperate coniferous broad-leaved forest and high mountain sparse vegetation. The ever-changing spatial pattern of vegetation adds infinite charm to the forest park. Besides, many seasonal plants also make the scenery distinct in different time. In every April, the apricot blossoms makes the spring of Kanbula more attractive. In June and July, the hillside and valleys are full of many unnamed wild flowers bloom, In the golden autumn, the frosty leaves are colored to a mixed view of red, yellow, orange… The biodiversity of the site is exceptionally rich as well. Many rare birds and animals appear in the grasses, such as deer, marmot, sheep, squirrel, lark, eagle, etc. In addition, the herds of cattle and sheep roaming on the grassland under the blue sky and white clouds, and the fields of rapeseed flowers also add a beautiful scenery to the forest park.

Other than the wonderful sightseeing, it is also available to probe into Tibetan Buddhism and local life. Kanbula is one of the places where Tibetan Buddhism developed in its post-proliferation period. In the 11th century, three high-ranking Tibetan Buddhism monks came to Kanbula due to the extinction movement in Tibet to promote Buddhism, allowing Tibetan Buddhism to be passed down here and carry forward. In the Qing Dynasty (1636~1912), another religious leader of Tibetan Buddhism presided over the construction of three temples among the peaks, making Kanbula the place where monks and nuns co-exist as well as different sects of Tibetan Buddhism co-exist. There are four Tibetan villages in Kanbula and most villagers preserves their traditional costumes and lifestyle. Visiting these monasteries and villages, you can take an insight of the local history and folk customs, like Tibetan opera, Buddhist museum, Tibetan costumes, etc.

Kanbula National Forest Park is such a large scenic area that you can hardly travel by walking. The sightseeing bus are cruise are accessible to save your energy and spare more in the best sightseeing.

By Park Bus: The Park bus is available to take you to the sightseeing spots one after another. Zigzagging up and down the ridge of the peaks, the bus taking you to enjoy the scenery from different perspectives. Many opportunities will be given to you to walk, take pictures and relax.

By Cruise: Cursing on the peaceful river is quite an enjoyable experience. Both sightseeing ships or speed-boat are available for your option. It is quite relaxing and comfortable to take a leisurely sightseeing ship while speed-boat offers an exciting journey.

Taking a trip combining park bus and cruise experience is strongly recommended. You can firstly take park bus from the east gate via Lingshan Mountain & Shengshui Lake, Guishan Mountain & Pinghu Lake, Nanzong Peak, Xiaoyao Peak,, etc., and then take a cruise from Nanzonggou Wharf to Beian Wharf.

Lying deep in the hinterland of Asia and far away from the ocean, Kanbula National Forest Park belongs to the typical desert steppe and forest steppe climate. The temperature in Kanbula is much lower than the city area like Xining. With cold winter and cool summer, it has an annual average temperature of about 2°C. July is the warmest month with an average temperature of about 12°C and January is the coldest month with an average temperature of about -11°C. Undoubtedly, Kanbula is a good place to escape from the summer heat.

Generally, traveling in different seasons permits you to view different landscape. In spring, apricot blossom in the mountains are attractive. In summer, many wild flowers are in blossom. Kanbula is colorful in autumn because of multi-colored leaves. In winter, the peaks covered with white snow are quite stunning. However, if you want to visit in the best time, May to October is suggested, especially in summer (June to August) when Kanbula becomes a perfect summer resort.

Where is Kanbula National Forest Park

Kanbula National Forest Park is located in Jianca County, Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai. It is

• 40 km to Jianzha County, about 50 minutes' drive;
• 90 km to Tongren County, about 1.5 hours' drive;
• 110 km to Xining City, about 1.5 hours' drive.

How to Get to Kanbula National Forest Park

There is no flight or train getting to Kanbula National Forest Park directly. Most travelers reach Xining – the capital and the tourist base of Qinghai first and then transfer to Kanbula Forest Park.

Getting to Xining: Xining can be reached by flight from most of the major cities in China, like Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, Chengdu, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Xiamen, etc. Travelers can also take a high speed train to Xining from many cities in northern China like Xian, Lanzhou, Zhangye, Jiayuguan, Turpan, Urumqi, and other connected cities, such as Chengdu, Chongqing, Taiyuan, etc. Check more about Xining Transportation here>

Xining to Kanbula: There are about several daily long-distance buses running to Lijiaxia Bus Station (李家峡汽车站) in Kanbula Town from Xining Bus Station (西宁汽车客运中心), taking about 1.5 hours. Then, you need to chart a private car to the park, taking about 10 minutes (about 4 kilometers).

Travel with China Discovery

If you want to get rid of hustle of public transportation and troublesome navigation, you can book a private tour package which covers sightseeing, dining and transfer from us. Most of the local roads are steep and have many dangerous bends. Our private care in good condition and experienced local drivers can be trusted. They will escort you to Kanbula National Forest Park with speed and convenience, and our professional guide take care of all the details. You just need to focus on sightseeing. Contact us to customize a worry-free Kanbula National Forest Park tour package now!

Almost all travelers start a Qinghai tour from Xining and then explore its surroundings. Generally, it takes about 3 ~ 6 days to have a classic Qinghai tour.

For travelers with limited time and just want to take a short glimpse of the essence of Qinghai, it is recommended to spend 3 days discovering Qinghai Lake – China’s largest lake with incredible beauty and Xining highlights such as Kumbum Monastery – a Tibetan monastery holding great importance and Tibetan Medicine and Tibet Culture Museum – an informative museum fully displaying all aspects of Tibetan culture and medicine.

☛ 3 Days Qinghai Short Stay Tour

For more natural sightseeing experience, you spend 1 more day visiting Chaka Salt Lake to get amazed by the Mirror of Sky or turning to Kanbula National Forest Park to savor shimmering Danxia Landform. If you have interest in Amdo Tibetan culture or Regong art, Tongren deserves your another day. For an in-depth adventure, visiting Amne Machin – one of the four sacred mountains in Tibetan Buddhism in 1 more day.

☛ 4 Days Qinghai Lake Chaka Salt Lake Enchanting Tour
☛ 4 Days Qinghai Lake Kanbula National Forest Park Geographic Wonder Tour
☛ 5 Days Amdo Tibetan Culture Experience Tour
☛ 7 Days In-depth Discovery Tour of Qinghai Culture & Nature

It is strongly recommended to extend your Qinghai trip to its attractive neighbors, including Tibet, Gansu and Sichuan. The high-altitude scenery and the Buddhist atmosphere of Tibet is second to none. Take a 4 ~ 8 days trip and you will enjoy most Tibet highlights. If you want to unveil the mystery of the Silk Road, 5 ~ 11 days are needed to visit Gansu and Xinjiang. For traveler who prefers an in-depth discovery of Amdo, Gannan and Aba in Sichuan are recommended.

☛ 6 Days Xining and Lhasa Train Tour
☛ 6 Days Qinghai Lake Zhangye Danxia Rainbow Mountains Tour
☛ 8 Days Qinghai Gansu Jiuzhaigou Land Tour
☛ 10 Days Northwestern China Treasures - Qinghai Gansu Highlights Tour