"The inclusion of Hoh Xil, which is on the world's largest and highest plateau, as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, marks a new beginning for the area's conservation."
Buzhou
Director of Hoh Xil Nature Reserve administration
Hoh Xil Nature Reserve, China's most biologically diverse natural reserve, is located on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in northwestern Qinghai province.
It is the source of 3 lifeline rivers in China - the Yangtze, the Yellow and the Lancang.
It covers 45,000 square km of land, and stands at 4,500 m above sea level.
Its Mongolian name means
"beautiful maiden". 
It is beautiful,
but also ecologically fragile.
Hoh Xil was a provincial level nature reserve in 1996. 
By 1997, it became a national
level reserve.
Hoh Xil was inscribed as a
UNESCO World Heritage site on July 7, 2017.
The Qinghai-Tibet railway, built in 2006, took care to avoid the routes that Tibetan antelopes often took during their migration to ensure an undisturbed path for the wild animals.
33 special passages for wild animals were built along the railway.
Hoh Xil is the habitat of many rare and protected species.
More than 1/3 of plant varieties and all herbivores are endemic to the plateau. 
7 species are under national first-level protection.
The most well-known example is the Tibetan antelope, the most iconic species in the plateau.
The animal's wool became both a blessing and a curse. 
By the late 1990s, the number of Tibetan antelopes dropped to less than 20,000 due to poaching.
The number is more than 60,000 now, thanks to station workers and government measures.
1990
2017
Both the local administration and volunteers have worked hard to protect and preserve Hoh Xil as it is.
The administration, which has more than 80 staff members, now has 5 protection stations and a research station in different parts of Hoh Xil.

More than 500 volunteers from various professions and different parts of the country have participated in protection and research over the years.
More young professional and technical personnel are needed.
"Since I've chosen this career, no matter what's ahead of us, I'm ready to meet it head on. That's my commitment."
Yuan Guangming,
Sanandaj Natural Protection Station staff
"The difference between coming here as a tourist and as a volunteer is responsibility."
He Kai
Former IT worker and environmental protection volunteer
"People from all over China come all the way here to help. They are great people. As a local, I should do more."
Gagyer Tudam Damba
Environmental protection volunteer
"Our job is to stop poaching, and observe and record the wildlife that we see."
Songbao
Herdsman and ranger
Best time to visit Hoh Xil:
July
September
to
Annual average temperature:
 -10℃ to 4.1℃
It may get as cold as -46.2℃
Hoh Xil Natural Reserve is the largest non-residential land in China.

The best way to see it is by car.
 
To get there:
 
Take the train to Lhasa from Xining, Qinghai province, or fly to Lhasa, then drive to Hoh Xil.
 
Tourists may be troubled by the high altitude in Hoh Xil.
 
It is advised to refrain from strenuous physical activitiy at high altitudes.
 
Oxygen tanks may help provide immediate relief.
 
For those with chronic diseases, consult your physician before visiting Hoh Xil.
Bring enough warm clothing, as the weather changes frequently.
 
Also take away all garbage at all times to keep Hoh Xil clean.
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