Jinyintan Grassland + Atomic City (Red Tourism) Guide

Jinyintan Grassland + Atomic City (Red Tourism) Guide

In the Xihai Town area of Haiyan County, Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, lie Jinyintan Grassland and Atomic City — two strikingly distinct sights. One is the romantic grassland where Wang Luobin composed the classic folk song In That Distant Place; the other is the red cradle of New China's atomic energy cause. Nature's vast romance and history's heroic weight converge here in a unique "poetry and faraway + national sentiment" journey. Jinyintan Grassland is expansive and magnificent with grazing herds, carrying the touching story behind the folk song; Atomic City, meanwhile, bears the memory of the "Two Bombs, One Satellite" struggle and is a precious patriotic-education site. From the grassland's song to Atomic City's monument, within a single day you can experience two very different sides of Qinghai. This guide systematically explains how to play both sights, how to plan the route, transport options and practical tips.

🌾 Jinyintan Grassland

Jinyintan Grassland is known for its vast scenery and moving musical culture — a landmark of Haibei.

• Location: Haiyan County, Haibei; around Xihai Town
• Features: vast grassland, grazing herds; the inspiration for In That Distant Place
• Sights: grassland scenery, Wang Luobin culture, the romance behind the folk song
• Experience: grassland walk, horse riding, distant views of grassland and mountains

🎵 Little story: it's said that Wang Luobin encountered a beautiful Tibetan girl on this grassland and composed In That Distant Place — a world-famous song that has lent this grassland an air of romance.

☢️ Atomic City

Atomic City bears witness to the development of New China's nuclear industry, carrying a weighty historical memory.

• Location: Xihai Town, Haiyan County (site of the former "221 Factory")
• Background: China's first nuclear weapons research base; one of the cradles of the "Two Bombs, One Satellite" spirit
• Sights: Atomic City Museum, memorial tower, historical ruins
• Meaning: a classic red-tourism site and an important place for patriotic education

🇨🇳 Reflection: stepping into Atomic City feels like traveling back to those arduous yet fervent years, letting you better grasp the depth of generations of silent dedication behind the "Two Bombs, One Satellite" spirit.

🗺️ Suggested Route

Jinyintan Grassland and Atomic City are not far apart — ideal to combine into a day trip.

Haibei one-day route:

1. Jinyintan Grassland: morning views of the grassland, feeling the romance of the "distant place"
2. Atomic City: afternoon visit to the museum, learning the "Two Bombs" history in depth
3. Combine with the fields and streets around Xihai Town to feel the highland town's tranquility

🗺️ Route tip: do the grassland first, then Atomic City — a transition from nature to history gives the experience more depth.

🚗 How to Get There

Haibei is not far from Xining with convenient transport, ideal for self-driving or a chartered car.

• Location: Haiyan County, Haibei; about 1.5–2 hours from Xining
• Transport: self-drive/charter/bus all fine; good roads

🚗 Itinerary tip: Haibei sits near Qinghai Lake's north shore — combine it with a Qinghai Lake visit for a richer loop.

📌 Practical Tips

1. Grassland sun protection; bring a jacket (windy, with clear day-night temperature swings)
2. The Atomic City Museum is rich in content — worth a careful, unhurried visit
3. Respect the red memorial site; visit solemnly and photograph civilly
4. Protect the grassland ecology; don't litter
5. Combine with Qinghai Lake's north shore for a fuller two-day trip

Jinyintan's romantic song and Atomic City's heroic years are a journey of "poetry and faraway + national sentiment." In Haibei, between vast grassland and weighty history, feel two very different sides of Qinghai. When you stand on Jinyintan Grassland watching blue skies, white clouds and grazing herds, that timeless folk song seems to echo in your ears; when you walk into Atomic City's exhibition hall and touch the years devoted to the motherland, a deep national respect wells up in your heart. This interweaving of natural beauty and historical weight is Haibei's most unique charm. Take this guide, arrange a relaxed day trip, and let Jinyintan's song and Atomic City's monument add a distinctive depth and warmth to your Qinghai journey.

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Don't want to plan your Jinyintan Grassland and Atomic City itinerary yourself? Want a Haibei deep-trip plan that includes Qinghai Lake's north shore?

Get a free itinerary & quote or email vip@roamfun.net — RoamFun's senior travel consultants will design a dedicated plan one-on-one to help you enjoy the natural and historical beauty of Haibei at ease.

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Updated: August 2026 Author: RoamFun Senior Travel Consultant Questions? Contact us: vip@roamfun.net