Kanbula National Forest Park

Location

Jianzha, Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture,

Reasons to visit

Nature view with religious culture.

Our Ratings

Opening Hours

8:00a.m.-6:00p.m.

Kanbula National Forest Park is located in the north-west of Jianzha County in Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province. About 131 kilometers from the provincial capital Xining, the park is closely associated with the Lijiaxia Hydropower Station on the Yellow River. As a national scenic area, it offers a rare combination of majestic Danxia landforms, lush alpine forests, centuries-old Tibetan Buddhist temples, and authentic Tibetan village life. On April 11, 2025, Kanbula was officially designated as a UNESCO Global Geopark, making it the second such site in Qinghai after the Kunlun Mountains. This recognition highlights Kanbula’s exceptional geological significance and cultural richness, firmly establishing it as a must-visit destination in northwest China.

Plant Landscape

The Kanbula area is famous for its unique Danxia landform. Here, the mountain is tall and straight, forceful and magnificent, full of the masculinity, giving out a strong natural scenery charm; which is believed to be the national most. This area is also the birthplace of the Houhong period of Tibetan Buddhism with rich cultural connotation.

This scenic area has abundant rainfall, cool and moist climate. Its forest coverage rate is about 28%; its plant resources are extremely rich. It has trees like Qinghai spruce, Chinese pine, white birch, Ulmus glaucescens, Prunus sibirica, etc...shrub plants like azalea, salix oritepha, Spiraea alpina, honeysuckle, etc...rare birds and beasts like blue sheep, argali, lark, blackbird, cuckoo and so on. Among them, the amount of flowers and plants which have high ornamental value is more than 80 kinds.

National Custom

The Kanbula area also has simple and unsophisticated folk customs. Since ancient times, Tibetan people who had rich ethnic customs had lived here. In the existing scenic area, there are seven Tibetan villages. The Tibetan people farm and propagate here from generations, forming their unique habits of life and production.

Religious Landscape

Kanbula region Buddhism has a long history and is known as the Tibetan Buddhism revitalization place after period Phyi dar. Aqiong Nanzong Temple, Nuns temple, Nanzongzha temple successively built here. Within the scenic area of the Nanzong temple which has a long history of more than 1000 years, is the birthplace of Tibetan Buddhism after period Phyi dar. Existing Nanzongzha temple, Benbenzi temple and Nanzong Nus temple is the only scarified place combined with Esoteric Buddhism, Exotoric Buddhism, monks and nuns. In the monastery, Regong buddhist painting is superb and sparkling. The famous provincial Xiaqiong temple, Heri temple, and Deqian temple near the scenic area, may be tourists can consider here as the main part of viewing the scenic spot of religious tourism.

How to Explore Kanbula: Top Scenic Routes to Follow

1. Zongka Sacred Lake Route

Route:
East Entrance Visitor Center → North Shore Pier → Buddha Handprint Rock → Nanzonggou Pier → Glass Viewing Bridge → Red Crocodile Pool → Golden Turtle Pool → North Shore Pier → East Entrance Visitor Center

Transport & Time:

By car: East Entrance Visitor Center to North Shore Pier is 4.5 km one way (9 km round-trip), about 15 minutes each way.
By boat: North Shore Pier to Nanzonggou Pier round-trip is 8.1 nautical miles (15 km), approx. 1 hour 30 minutes.

Sailing across the tranquil waters, visitors are surrounded by shimmering blue lake surfaces, steep Danxia cliffs, and lush green forests. In June and July, the distant snow-capped Zongka Mountains rise above the horizon, reflecting in the jade waters and creating a heavenly panorama—making the Kanbula Lake area feel like a true paradise on Earth.

2. Forest & Danxia Walking Route

Route:
East Entrance Visitor Center → North Shore Pier → Buddha Handprint Rock → Nanzonggou Pier → Glass Viewing Bridge → Nanzonggou Parking Area → Primeval Forest Canyon → Oxygen Path Boardwalk → Xiaoyaotan Viewing Platform → Nanzonggou Parking Area → Glass Viewing Bridge → Nanzonggou Pier → Red Crocodile Pool → Golden Turtle Pool → North Shore Pier → East Entrance Visitor Center

Transport & Time:

By car & walk:

East Entrance to North Shore Pier: 4.5 km one way (15 mins).
Nanzonggou Pier to Parking Area: 1.5 km walking one way (3 km round-trip).
Nanzonggou Parking – Ga’wu’ang – Xiaoyaotan – return loop: about 30 km total walking/driving.
Total: approx. 39 km, ~3 hours 20 minutes.
By boat: Same as above, 15 km round-trip, about 1.5 hours.

This route is perfect for nature lovers seeking a deeper immersion in the park’s ecosystem. Along the way, you’ll pass through quiet canyons, shaded pine forests, and elevated walkways that offer fresh alpine air and panoramic views of the red cliffs. It’s a journey through both geological wonder and forest serenity.

3. Sacred Mountains & Holy Waters Route

Route:
East Entrance Visitor Center → North Shore Pier → Buddha Handprint Rock → Nanzonggou Pier → Glass Viewing Bridge → Nanzonggou Parking Area → Primeval Forest Canyon → Lamaogang Viewing Platform → Sacred Mountain & Holy Water Viewing Point → Oxygen Path → Xiaoyaotan Viewing Platform → Nanzonggou Parking Area → Glass Viewing Bridge → Nanzonggou Pier → Red Crocodile Pool → Golden Turtle Pool → North Shore Pier → East Entrance Visitor Center

Transport & Time:

By car & walk:

Same initial segments as Route 2, with additional extension to Lamaogang and Sacred Mountain Viewing Platform.
Nanzonggou Parking → Ga’wu’ang → Sacred Mountain → Xiaoyaotan → return loop is approx. 57 km, total ~3 hours 17 minutes.
By boat: Same as above, 15 km round-trip, about 1.5 hours.

This route offers the most complete view of Kanbula’s spiritual and natural essence. From the deep-green forests to glimmering lake waters, from snow peaks in the distance to ancient monasteries hidden among the cliffs—visitors can witness the park's full tapestry of holy mountains and sacred water. The route also showcases the cultural heart of Tibetan Buddhism’s later revival, adding profound meaning to the stunning scenery.