The Three-River-Source National Park, also known as Sanjiangyuan National Park, is the source of the Yellow, Yangtze, and Lancang (Mekong) Rivers. Located on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, also known as the "third pole of the world," it has high-altitude plateau ecology. The national park was officially established in 2021, part of the first five announced at COP15. At roughly 123,000 square km, it is the largest of China's current five national parks.
Three-River-Source National Park is the headwaters of three mighty rivers:
The Yangtze River: Called the "Long River" in Chinese for its 6,300-kilometer journey across China, the Yangtze finds its beginnings in glacial meltwaters on the slopes of the Tanggula Mountains in southern Qinghai on the border with the Tibet Autonomous Region. Shimmering glacial lakes and gurgling streams converge to form the Yangtze's source.
The Yellow River: Often called the "Mother River" of China for its important role in the beginnings of Chinese civilization, the Yellow River originates from two beautiful alpine lakes, Ngoring Lake and Gyaring Lake, in the heart of the national park.
The Lancang River: Flowing from China through Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam (where it is called the Mekong River), the Lancang River's source is in Zadoi County.
The national park's wildlife is diverse and includes snow leopards, wolves, kiang, bharal, chiru, white-lipped deer, Tibetan gazelle, wild yaks, birds of prey, black-necked crane, plateau pika, marmot, and more.
Scientific research is being done in the national park and surrounding regions, including on climate change, glacial retreat, grassland degradation, and melting permafrost.
Example local conservation efforts include:
Habitat restoration: Programs are working to restore degraded grasslands and protect fragile wetlands, ensuring the health of the park's unique habitats.
Anti-poaching patrols: Rangers tirelessly patrol the vast expanse of the park, deterring poachers and protecting the park's endangered wildlife.
Community engagement: Local communities are involved in conservation efforts, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility for the park's future.
Most local residents are Tibetan, and there are also Han and Hui ethnicities. The Tibetan Buddhist perspective on the environment underscores the complex and interdependent connection between humans and nature, a viewpoint intricately tied to the notions of death and rebirth. In general, Buddhist principles advocate for moderation and oppose excessive consumption. Notably, Tibet's nomadic communities navigate a delicate equilibrium with their challenging surroundings, embodying a harmonious coexistence with the environment. We can see this in the landscape; in the Three-River Source region, local herders' summer and winter pastures, alpine lakes and rivers, and snow mountains come together to create a spectacular landscape.
Our trips to Three-River-Source National Park focus on the Yellow River and Lancang River source regions. Trips depart from Xining, Madoi, Maqen, and Yushu in Qinghai province. Our journeys include both natural (safari, hiking, camping, rafting, conservation activities like building giant buzzard nests) and cultural (cultural landmarks, chatting with local Tibetans, learning from local researchers) elements, and can be tailored to your specific needs.