The Ruoergai Marshes transbounds the Sichuan and Gansu Provinces in the upper Yellow River on the eastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau (3,400 to 3,900 m. altitude). They consist of approximately 10,000 square kilometres of peat bogs, sedge marshes, lakes and wet grasslands, interspersed with low hills and drier grasslands. Tibetan people, who are almost exclusively pastoralists with vast herds of sheep, yaks, horses and goats, inhabit the Ruoergai Plateau.

Ruoergai PNR, Gaihai Lake NNR, Shouqu PNR and intervening areas (approx. 5,000 square kilometres) form the largest contiguous area of high altitude peat bog remaining in China, and one of the largest areas in the world. The relative scarcity of high altitude peat bogs of this size ensures the global biodiversity significance of Ruoergai Marshes for diverse and endemic Himalayan flora, typical of montane peat bogs and alpine grassland. The marshes are also of high global significance as an important breeding area threatened bird species, especially for summering and breeding populations of black-necked cranes, Grus nigricollis. In summer, the population totals 600-900, with about 150-200 breeding pairs, making this the most important breeding and summering area for the species in the world. The marshes and associated rivers also support other significant species, including four rare and endemic fish, two rare or endemic amphibians and two threatened mammals.