Maqu, which means "Yellow River" in Tibetan, is also the only county named after the Yellow River in the country. It has the reputation of "the first bend of the Yellow River in the world", "the birthplace of Gesar" and "the hometown of horse racing in China".
The Yellow River originates from Bayan Kala Mountain, flows all the way to the east, and forms the first bend of the Yellow River in Maqu County, on the eastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Therefore, Maqu is also known as the first song of the Yellow River and is known as the "first song of the Yellow River".
The Yellow River forms many rivers and swamps here, making this vast grassland rich in water and grass, fat cattle and sheep, and excellent scenery.
The meandering stream not only provides an abundant source of water for pastures, attracts herds of cattle and sheep, but also adds a more dynamic landscape to this green velvet carpet wetland grassland.
Because of the nourishment of the Yellow River, the endless grassland of Maqu is rich in water and grass, and the vegetation is good.
Under the blue sky and white clouds, the river is leisurely, the grass is green, the yurt is dotted, the cattle and sheep are all over the ground, the birds are singing in the wind, and the herdsmen are grazing leisurely.
The lake surrounds the grassland, and the grassland embraces the lake, and the beautiful grassland and the vast lake water are closely snuggled together, becoming a unique and wonderful "grassland water town".
The Yellow River, which flows all the way to the southeast, is blocked by the uplifted Songpan Plateau here, forming the largest ecological wetland in the first song of the Yellow River, and becoming a paradise for rare birds and exotic animals such as black-necked cranes, white swans, yellow ducks, yellow sheep, Tibetan antelopes and sika deer.
Herds of "Hequ horses" gallop freely in this vast grassland wetland, Hequ horses are famous for their tall physique, long-distance running, can climb high mountains, and run long distances, and Inner Mongolia three river horses, Xinjiang Yili horses are known as the three famous horses in the mainland.
The sky is high and the clouds are light, the grasslands are vast, the snow-capped mountains are continuous, and the animals are full of herds, showing the beauty of nature.
The blue sky is high, the white clouds are elegant, the blue sky seems to be connected to the earth, and there are no high-rise buildings, no noisy cities, only a quiet and natural beauty in the vast field.
Come on, friend! The industrious and simple children of Maqu hold the holy Hada in their hands, pour the mellow barley wine, meet you in the Shouqu grassland, travel in the green wilderness, and look for the poetry and painting home in your dreams, the long-lost nostalgia and the spiritual paradise!
This issue of Xiaolong will introduce you here, pay attention to "Xiaolong Pictorial", learn more about the beautiful scenery, cultural history, and unique folk customs of Gansu, and we will see you next time.
Photography of this issue of Xiaolong Pictorial Ma Guofeng Zhang Xiaoyan Text: Northwest Corner China Gansu Net Reporter Qu Jiewen