果洛藏族自治州

Why this place

Golog is a high Tibetan prefecture in southeastern Qinghai, and it contains the source region of the Yellow River — a vast wetland of lakes and marshes at over 4,000 metres that feeds one of China's two great rivers. It is remote, high and almost empty.

What to see

• The Yellow River source area — the marshes and lakes where the river begins
• The Nyenbo Yurtse and the sacred mountain of the Golog Tibetans
• The nomadic grassland and the yak-herding camps
• The Tibetan monasteries and the prayer-flag country

What to eat

• Yak meat, butter tea and tsampa in their most traditional form
• Golog is known for its 'seda' and its highland dairy

Best time

June–August; the rest of the year is extreme

Practical tips

• Above 4,000m throughout — acclimatise properly and do not attempt this as a first plateau trip