Hoh Xil, the last fairyland of wild lives in China, is one of the most primitive and well-preserved natural environment in the world.
Hoh Xil, the last fairyland of wild lives in China, is one of the most primitive and well-preserved natural environment in the world. Moreover, it is the largest natural reserve area in China with highest altitude. Because of the high altitude and fierce weather, it is impossible for people to live there, and this is the very reason why Hoh Xil is the paradise of wild lives.
Hoh Xil, which means "beautiful girl" in Mongolian, is one of the main sources of the Yangtze River and encompasses an area of 83,000 square kilometers between the Tanggula and Kunlun Mountains in the northwestern part of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. It is China's largest and the world's third largest uninhabited area. Being the paradise for wildlife and home to more than 230 species of wild animals, Hoh Xil has twenty of them under state protection, including the wild yak, the Tibetan antelope, the wild donkey, the white-lip deer, and the brown bear.
Hoh Xil is situated at the Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Region in southwest Qinghai, and has an average altitude of more than 4600 meters. Low temperature, rare rainfall and strong wind are the major features of Hoh Xil. However, in such a fierce land, there are many animals which can only be seen on highland. According to the present observation, there are 29 kinds of mammals, 53 kinds of birds and 202 kinds of plants, of which 84 are the unique ones on Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The importance and charm of this area is becoming more and more famous throughout the world, and the great significance in scientific research is irreplaceable in China and the world.
Years ago, because of human interference, Hoh Xil is suffering devastation; and a growing number of Tibetan antelopes and other rare animals had been killed. In order to strengthen the protection of Hoh Xil's natural environment, groups of volunteers, acting as environmental guards, have been sent to this area since May 2002. After years’ devotion of protecting the area by experts and environmental volunteers, now the area has gained many people’s attention. The cruel slaughter is becoming less and less now. We hope that the beautiful and mysterious land of Hoh Xil can always stay pure and virgin, and provide those precious animals a real paradise.
