Territory capital · China
Maduo玛多
Spend 1–2 days in Maduo to see the Yellow River source monument and nearby lakes; add a 4‑5‑night trek if you want remote plateau camping.
Maduo is a small Tibetan‑culture town on the plateau, a gateway to the Sanjiangyuan (Yellow River source) area. Most visitors can see the central monument, the nearby river stretch and a lake in a day; longer treks require extra nights.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CNY
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- avoid Dec–Feb (cold, road closures possible)
- Airport
- XNN
- Nights
- 1–2 (optional 4–5 for trek)
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- China ↗Most nationalities need a visa, a unilateral visa-free entry (the list and end dates change) or the transit exemption below. Confirm your route on the official sites before you buy a ticket.
- China ↗Transit stay without a visa: up to 240 hours (10 days) for citizens of about 55 listed countries who pass through China to a third country or region, with a confirmed onward ticket and a stay inside the permitted area (Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei count as one area). It replaced the 144-hour rule in December 2024, which some older pages still quote. Use the transit lane at immigration, show the onward ticket, and check the current nationality list. Hong Kong and Macau count as separate regions; check whether your ticket qualifies.
- China ↗Foreign visitors must register their address with the police within 24 hours; hotels do it at check-in with your passport. Carry the original passport at all times: hotels, trains, museums, Tiananmen Square and police checks ask for it.
- China ↗Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you fly. QR payment is the default in shops, taxis and many stalls, and some places refuse cash or a foreign card. Carry cash as a backup.
- China ↗Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and many news sites are blocked. Use an eSIM with roaming (it routes through your home network) or install and test a VPN before you fly; VPN sites and app stores are hard to reach inside China, and only government-approved VPNs are officially permitted.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Maduo110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Maduo, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Alipay and WeChat Pay accept Visa, Mastercard, JCB and Amex cards; single payments over ¥200 (≈ US$30) carry a fee of about 3% on a foreign card (smaller ones…China-wide
- SIM or eSIMA roaming eSIM from outside China routes traffic through its home network, so Google, WhatsApp and Instagram work without a VPN — the simplest setup.China-wide
- Tap waterNot for drinking from the tap; bottled water ¥2–5 (≈ under US$1), and kettles and free bottles in hotel rooms.China-wide
- TippingRestaurants: No tip; upmarket hotels add 10–15% service.China-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C/I. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.China-wide
- SafetyMaduo is generally safe; main risk is the poorly maintained road to the Yellow River source and cold weather at altitude.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are frequent and free; squat toilets outside hotels and malls.China-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire and ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums and palaces close on Mondays; the Forbidden City too (outside holidays).China-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportXNN Xining Caojiabao Airport (Main gateway to Qinghai; bus to Maduo departs from Xining bus terminal.).
- Getting aroundAll main sights are within walking distance; taxis exist but not needed.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- BeerBar beer¥20–35 (≈ US$3–5)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi (short ride)¥30–50 (≈ US$5–7)
- Budget bedBasic double room, a night, per personCN¥150 (≈ US$25)
- Mid-range bedMid‑range double room, a night, per personCN¥400 (≈ US$60)
- High-end bedMid‑range double room, a night, per personCN¥500 (≈ US$70)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CN¥120 (≈ US$17) · Mid CN¥200 (≈ US$30) · High CN¥350 (≈ US$50)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- XNN Xining Caojiabao Airport (Main gateway to Qinghai; bus to Maduo departs from Xining bus terminal.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
Feb
Avoid
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
Mar
not flagged
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Apr
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
May
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jun
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jul
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Aug
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Sep
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Oct
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Nov
not flagged
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Dec
Avoid
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
Best: Jun–Sep. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)), coolest Jan (−15°C (5°F)5°F (−15°C) low), wettest Jun (6 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Maduo: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
−15°C (5°F)5°F (−15°C)
2 rd
Feb
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
−12°C (10°F)10°F (−12°C)
2 rd
Mar
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
3 rd
Apr
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
4 rd
May
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
5 rd
Jun
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
6 rd
Jul
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
6 rd
Aug
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
5 rd
Sep
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
4 rd
Oct
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
3 rd
Nov
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
2 rd
Dec
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
−13°C (9°F)9°F (−13°C)
2 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
All main sights are within walking distance; taxis exist but not needed. Private car hire for the Yellow River source costs ¥900–1,000 (check).
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Yellow River source monument
goDoor to door: ≈30 min walk or 10 min by car
Walk 4 km (2.5 mi) north from town centre; optional private car hireWalk 2.5 mi (4 km) north from town centre; optional private car hire
Car hire ¥900–1,000; road safety warning applies.
Sacred lakes north of town
cautionDoor to door: ≈1 h by car; 4–5 h trek
Private car or trek 50 km (31 mi) north; hire driver at hotel front deskPrivate car or trek 31 mi (50 km) north; hire driver at hotel front desk
Cost ¥900–1,000; trekking may need camping permits.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Town entrance hotels
Double rooms ¥300–400; basic options ¥150–250
Back‑street hotels
Similar price range, slightly older facilities
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥150–250 (≈ US$25–35) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥300–400 (≈ US$45–60) excl. bed
Trip budget
| Basic double room1 × 1 night × CN¥150 | CN¥150 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × CN¥120 | CN¥120 |
| Bus Xining → Maduo (one way)1 × CN¥95 · 2027 price; check for current schedule | CN¥95 |
| Private car to Yellow River source (round trip)1 × CN¥900 · check road condition | CN¥900 |
| eSIM data (1 week)1 × CN¥250 · check provider | CN¥250 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CN¥152 |
| Trip total≈ CN¥1,667 per person per day, bed included | CN¥1,667≈ US$250 |
2026 estimate in CNY; flights and long‑distance bus not included.
Prices of common things
| Tea with yak butter | ¥15–30 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Bar beer | ¥20–35 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Tibetan prayer flag | ¥5–15 (≈ US$1–3) |
| Taxi (short ride) | ¥30–50 (≈ US$5–7) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Road to the Yellow River source is described as "very dangerous"; hire a driver or trek with caution.
- Bus schedules are not fixed; arrive early for the 08:00 Xining‑Maduo bus and the 07:30 return bus.Bus schedules are not fixed; arrive early for the 8:00 AM Xining‑Maduo bus and the 7:30 AM return bus.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
Pocket card
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Maduo玛多
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
请到这个地址To this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
Embassy
US consulate in Chengdu; nearest Chinese embassy in Beijing.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Xining → Maduo bus: about ¥95 (≈ US$14), 08:00 departure, ~10 h (check)about ¥95 (≈ US$14), 8:00 AM departure, ~10 h (check)
- Private car to Yellow River source: ¥900–1,000 (≈ US$130–140), ~40 km (25 mi), road warning (check)¥900–1,000 (≈ US$130–140), ~25 mi (40 km), road warning (check)
Say or show
- 对不起 — Excuse me / Sorry (duìbuqǐ)
- 谢谢 — Thank you (xièxiè)
- 多少钱？ — How much is it? (duōshǎo qián?)
- 可以刷卡吗？ — Can I pay by card? (kěyǐ shuākǎ ma?)
- 厕所在哪里？ — Where is the toilet? (cèsuǒ zài nǎlǐ?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Maduo. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Sep · avoid Dec–Feb (cold, road closures possible) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add private‑car hire option for Yellow River source (¥900–1,000).
- Map walking routes to monument and river stretch.
- Create trek itinerary for 4–5‑night lake circuit.
Sources
Ask about Maduo
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