Keke Xili National Nature Reserve (可可西里国家级自然保护区), known as “Hoh Xil” in Mongolian meaning “Green Mountain Ridge” and “Aqin Gongjia” in Tibetan, is located in the western part of Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Qinghai Province, China. This expansive reserve covers an area of approximately 4.5 million hectares and is renowned for its harsh climate and rugged natural conditions, making it uninhabitable for long-term human settlement. Due to these extreme conditions, it is often referred to as a “forbidden zone for life.”
Designated as one of the best-preserved primitive ecological environments in the world at the beginning of the 21st century, Hoh Xil is notable for being the largest and highest national nature reserve in China, rich in diverse wildlife. The reserve primarily aims to protect rare and endangered species, including the Tibetan antelope, wild yaks, Tibetan wild donkeys, and the Tibetan gazelle, along with their habitats and the surrounding flora.
In November 2014, efforts were initiated to nominate Hoh Xil as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site. This endeavor came to fruition on July 7, 2017, during the 41st World Heritage Conference held in Krakow, Poland, when it was unanimously approved for inclusion in the World Heritage List, making it the 51st World Heritage site in China.
Hoh Xil National Nature Reserve is situated at the intersection of the inland lake region of the Qiangtang Plateau and the northern headwaters of the Yangtze River. The eastern section is defined by the Chu Mar River system, which feeds into the Yangtze, while the western and northern parts are characterized by an inland water system centered around lakes. Within the reserve, there are 107 lakes larger than one square kilometer, including seven lakes over 200 square kilometers. The largest, Ulan Ula Lake, spans 544.5 square kilometers, ranking it as the fourth-largest lake in Qinghai Province.
Getting to the National Nature Reserve
To preserve its unique ecosystem, in November 2017, a joint announcement was made by the nature reserves of Hoh Xil, Altyn-Tagh in Xinjiang, and Qiangtang in Tibet, prohibiting any unauthorized entry into the reserve for illegal activities. In September 2020, the Public Security Bureau of Golmud City issued a notice banning any group or individual from traveling to the Hoh Xil Nature Reserve without proper authorization. All vehicles, including taxis and private cars, must register with public security before entering. While tourists can enjoy scenic spots along National Highway G109, they are strictly prohibited from deviating from this route into the protected areas and must observe the pristine landscapes from designated viewing platforms.
