Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Qinghai Province, abbreviated as "Yushu Prefecture," has its capital in Yushu City. It is one of the eight prefecture-level administrative divisions in Qinghai. The Tibetan meaning of its name is "site of ruins," and it was the first minority autonomous prefecture established in Qinghai Province and the second in China. The terrain is high in the north and south, low in the middle, with higher elevations in the west and lower in the east. It features a typical high-altitude cold climate.

The prefecture covers a total area of 267,000 square kilometers. As of June 2023, Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture administers one county-level city and five counties. By the end of 2024, the permanent population of the prefecture was 434,300.

Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture is a national-level Tibetan cultural (Yushu) ecological protection zone. It boasts unique plateau natural landscapes and folk customs, including Yushu (song and dance), Tibetan clothing, and distinctive traditions. Notable sites include the Princess Wencheng Temple and Buddhist monasteries of various sects. It is also home to the Xinzhai Kanak Mani Stone Mound and the statue of Tsongkhapa in the Gangcha Monastery Hall. Additionally, there are three national nature reserves: "Sanjiangyuan," Longbaotan, and Hoh Xil.

The prefecture offers more than 40 scenic spots and attractions for tourism. The folk customs of Yushu are uniquely charming, highlighted by the grand Yushu Horse Racing Festival.