Xiahe Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Apr)

The Largest Monastery Outside of Tibet

Situated in southern Gansu, Labrang Monastery in Xiahe is the largest Tibetan monastery outside of Tibet. First founded in 1709, at its peak it hosted over 3,600 monks. Included in your entrance fee is a guided tour with an English speaking monk. You will walk through the temples and learn the history of the area. You should be lucky enough to enter the main temple during prayer time and witness the incredible chanting and humming it over 100 monks in unison. After exploring inside the monastery, it is well worth walking around the the kora circuit. This is the pathway on the outside of the monastery walls which contains the prayer wheels. Hundreds of Tibetan pilgrims at a time walk this circuit in a clockwise circle. You’ll hear the constant chants, see their gorgeous traditional Tibetan clothing and even witness some pilgrims and monks prostrating as they walk. To get to Labrang you need to get to the capital of Gansu, Lanzhou and then catch a 4 hour bus south to Xiahe. #historicplaces

Labrang Tibetan Monastery in South-Gansu

About 1 km west from Xiahe County in the Gannan Prefecture, Gansu Province, lies the Labrang Monastery. A nice place in the hearts of the Tibetans, it stands by the Daxia River and faces the Dragon Mountain. The monastery is famous for its Tibetan culture, imposing Buddhist structures and the long corridor of prayer wheels. It is a holy place where Buddhism followers learn the essence of Buddhism. During its peak, there were over four thousand monks. Labrang Monastery boasts the longest corridor of prayer wheels over the world, with over 1,700 scripture wheels. ℹ️ Chinese name: 拉卜楞寺 🚐 How to get there? From Lanzhou, visitors can catch a direct bus at Lanzhou South Coach Station to Xiahe County. From other counties like Linxia or Hezuo, there are buses to Xiahe every day. 🎫 Admission Fee 40RMB for visiting several main halls. Otherwise, you can tour the grounds for free. 🛕I recommend spending at least 3-5 hours in the monastery, as it's really huge and impressive. You can also walk the nearby grassland. #tibet#monastery#culturetrip #summervacation#hikingtrails

Do you know where the longest corridor in the world is? This Gannan self-driving tour, in addition to Zhabei that I am most worthy of thinking is this world-class top Tibetan school! It has the longest corridor in the world! No matter which country the locals take, they will take time to worship here every year! When you come here, time seems to be quiet, no distractions! Address is located in Xiahe County, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province, 200km from Lanzhou! From Lanzhou, it takes 4.5h to drive! The road is very good, the whole process can also take the provincial highway! Or take a direct bus in Lanzhou District! Introduction Strictly speaking, this is not just a temple, it retains the most complete teaching system of Tibetan Buddhism in the country. Most of the monks came to the temple when they were seven or eight years old. After 12 years of study, they were counted as learning. It was not like learning, but also a lifelong practice.

Labrang Monastery, located in Xiahe County, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province, is one of the six monasteries of the Gelug Sect of Tibetan Buddhism. It is known as the World Tibetan Academy. Xiahe has only one broad main street, one side is Labrang Monastery and the other side is city. But this street has no boundaries, just like the life and beliefs of the Xiahe people. In history, the Labrang Monastery is known as the 108-genus temple (in fact, it is much larger than this number), and it is the political and religious center of Gannan. Up to now, Labrang Monastery has retained the best Tibetan Buddhist teaching system in the country. The monks who practice here are from a few years old to several decades old. Apart from the typical Tibetan temple features, Labrang Monastery is best known for its longest corridor in the world. There are more than 1,700 prayer barrels around the temple, stretching for 3.5 kilometers.

Experience the classic Gannan mini-tour this May Day, four days and three nights for around 1k+ per person

📣 If you don't know where to go for the May Day holiday, head to Gannan! Grasslands, lakes, 🏔️ snow-capped mountains, 💐 seas of flowers, wetlands, 🌲 forests, rivers, temples, ☁️ blue skies with white clouds, fluttering prayer flags, and Tibetan charm—all your beautiful imaginations can be found in Gannan. ❓❗ Is it worth going to Gannan for May Day? ✅ Fewer people→ Gannan has relatively fewer people during May Day, so you won't be stuck in crowds of people everywhere you go👩‍👩‍👦‍👦 ✅ Tibetan culture→ Rich in Tibetan culture, the world-renowned Tibetan academy 'Labrang Monastery' is located here. You can experience Tibetan specialty foods🍲, take Tibetan-style portraits, and more ✅ Low altitude→ The average altitude is around 3000 meters, which is considered a 'low altitude' area in Tibet, 👍🏻 and most people will not suffer from altitude sickness ✅ Low cost→ Prices increase slightly during May Day, but are much lower compared to July and August ❓❗ What can you see in Gannan during May Day? ✅ Only in May can you see the half snow-capped mountains🏔️ and half green lands! ✅ Secluded and leisurely Tibetan villages, sacred and solemn temples, fewer noisy tourists, making this land peaceful and quiet, allowing you to calm down, contemplate life, and feel the devout Tibetan faith ✅ The beauty lies in the landscape, and when you're at the scenic spot, the feeling of having the mountains and waters all to yourself is undoubtedly a pleasure 💫 First stop of the journey—Lanzhou city walk, check in with the taste of the Northwest 💫 Sangke Grassland—Endless meadows where you can ride horses🐴 💫 Zhagana—Natural stone city, God's Eden 💫 Flower Lake—Ruoergai Wetland, encounter the distant Black-necked Cranes 💫 Labrang Monastery—World-renowned Tibetan academy, appreciate the profound Tibetan culture 💫 Langmu Temple—The Eastern Switzerland, a miniature version of Shangri-La 💫 Milarepa Buddha Pavilion—A resplendent Tibetan cultural museum 💫 Select comfortable accommodations along the way, 🏨 stay comfortably, relax and rest 💫 38 degrees users are mostly young people aged 16-39, creating a relaxed and fun atmosphere 🌈 This route is suitable for friends who are visiting Gannan for the first time! 👍🏻 First encounter with Gannan >> Lanzhou distribution >> 3+1 days D1 Nationwide - Free travel to Lanzhou D2 Lanzhou - Labrang Monastery - Sangke Grassland - Diebu D3 Diebu - Zhagana - Flower Lake - Langmu Temple D4 Langmu Temple - Guomang Wetland - Milarepa Buddha Pavilion - Lanzhou 📣PS: The itinerary includes buses & cars, two different ways to play, choose your travel style freely based on your schedule Tips: 1⃣️ The grassland has a large temperature difference between day and night, ☔ the weather is changeable, bring a thick coat, the night sky is beautiful 2⃣️ Be sure to protect yourself from the sun, 🌞 the UV rays are strong in the plateau areas 3⃣️ Although the altitude is not very high, altitude sickness varies from person to person, it is recommended to bring altitude sickness medicine, as well as some chocolate🍫, glucose 4⃣️ There are many cattle and sheep on the grassland, be careful when driving

Recommended five-day self-driving tour from Xi'an to Gannan!

👍Most recommended: There are many travel routes from Xi'an to Gannan, and here is a popular five-day tour itinerary: 🗓Itinerary: Day 1: Xi'an—Sangke Grassland. The whole journey is about 790 kilometers. Depart from Xi'an, take the Lianhuo Expressway westward, with almost no traffic after Baoji, exit the expressway at Wushan County, and then drive for an hour and a half to reach Langdaban Grassland. Watch the sunrise here, camp and rest. Depart at noon to reach Min County for lunch, then continue west along National Highway 316, passing through the terraced fields of thousands of acres, the viewing platform of Zhuoni County, and arrive at Hezuo City. The Duohe'er Temple and Zhayou Temple along the way can be visited for free. If you don't want to camp, you can stay in the city. For camping, navigate to Zhayou Township, follow the road to the mountain pass, which is part of the Sangke Grassland, sparsely populated, and an excellent spot for camping and stargazing. Day 2: Sangke—Langmu Temple. The whole journey is about 160 kilometers. Wake up naturally in the morning on the grassland, have breakfast, and then enter the Sangke Grassland. Even on the boundless grassland road, the beauty of Guomang Wetland and the tenderness of Gahai Lake touch people's hearts. Arrive at Langmu Temple in the afternoon, the only place in the town that may get congested, where you can gather in the town or visit the temples. Langmu Temple has two temples, belonging to Ruoergai County in Sichuan and Luqu County in Gansu. If you want to see rippling blue waves, you can go to the Namo Grand Canyon in Sichuan's Langmu Temple, which is the source of the Bailong River. The clear stream flows past the caves on the cliff edge, where you can throw stones for good luck, and of course, feeding pigeons is also a good choice. Day 3: Langmu Temple—Zhagana. The whole journey is about 330 kilometers. Leave Langmu Temple and take the U13 county road into Ruoergai. This is a city of grasslands, where you will pass the winding Heihe Ranch, see cattle and sheep running freely, galloping horses, and also pass the Yellow River's Great Bend, where you can listen to the low cry of the mother river. Drive north from Tangke on National Highway 248, and you can reach Zhagana Village by evening, where you can choose to stay in the village or camp at the viewing platform. Day 4 Zhagana—Lintan County. The total length is about 140 kilometers. Catch the sunrise over Zhagana in the early morning, and start the essence of this journey, the Loke Crossing—Zhagana to Zagulu Town, 100 kilometers of unpaved road, 40 kilometers of bomb craters, which will shake you to doubt life, but it does not affect your anticipation of the beautiful scenery. In the middle of the crossing, a new hiking trail has been built, where you can walk a short distance and stand high to overlook the entire valley. If you can only go to one place in Gannan by self-driving, then the Loke Road is the best answer. When the car reaches Zagulu Town, you finally escape the bumpy road section and stay in Lintan County in the evening. Day 5 Lintan—Xi'an. Return to Xi'an via the expressway. If you have more time, you can also detour to Liuba to experience the passion of red leaves. Gannan has rich scenery and many options, you can adjust according to your time.

Departing from Xi'an on May Day, embark on a unique and pure journey to Gannan!!

In this land with an average altitude of 2900 meters, you can encounter grasslands, lakes, snow-capped mountains, seas of flowers, wetlands, forests, rivers, temples, blue skies and white clouds, fluttering prayer flags, and Tibetan charm. All your beautiful imaginations can be met in Gannan. The itinerary includes options for coach & car, two different ways to enjoy the trip, and you can freely choose the way to play according to your schedule. 🌈First stop on the itinerary is a city walk in Lanzhou, checking in with the Northwest flavor🌈Sangke Grassland - an endless meadow where you can ride horses 🌈Zhagana - a natural stone city, God's Eden Flower Lake🌈Ruoergai Wetland, encountering the distant Black-necked Crane 🌈Labrang Monastery - a world center of Tibetan studies, experiencing the profound Tibetan culture 🌈Langmu Temple - the Oriental Switzerland, a miniature version of Shangri-La 🌈Anduo Hezuo Monastery's Milarepa Buddha Pavilion - a resplendent Tibetan studies museum 🏨Carefully selected comfortable accommodations along the way, ensuring a comfortable stay. 💰Admission fees: A: Labrang Monastery 40 yuan (entrance to the hall)|Students 20 yuan B: Zhagana 80 yuan|Students 40 yuan C: Flower Lake 105 yuan|Students 75 yuan D: Langmu Temple 30 yuan|Students half price E: Milarepa Buddha Pavilion 20 yuan|Students 10 yuan ⚠️Warm tips for essential items: 1️⃣Gannan is a plateau region with strong ultraviolet radiation, remember to protect yourself from the sun, and be aware of the large temperature difference between day and night, around 5-18°C! 2️⃣Clothing: For travel between April and May, it is recommended to prepare clothes for both spring and winter, lightweight down jackets, windbreakers, and thin outerwear with long sleeves for the daytime 3️⃣Shoes: Comfortable sports shoes/hiking shoes are both suitable 4️⃣Thermal water bottle: When going out for a trip, it is recommended to drink hot water throughout the journey 5️⃣Electronic payment is available, but also carry a small amount of cash 6️⃣Sun protection: hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, face masks

May Day Travel | 3-Day Gannan Loop | The Road of Zhagana and Loka

The beauty of nine colors, the secret realm of Gannan🌈 When the first rays of the morning sun sprinkle on Zhagana amidst the clouds🌞 Herds of cattle and sheep stroll on the Sangke Grassland, and red-robed monks murmur scriptures in the Milarepa Buddha Pavilion... The whole world seems peaceful and serene~ Those who are preparing for the May Day holiday, take a look here, you must not miss this niche scenic area❗❗ . 🚘Itinerary at a glance D1⃣️Lanzhou - Gannan Secret Realm - Labrang Monastery - Xiahe D2⃣️Xiahe - Sangke Grassland - Langmu Temple - Zhagana D3⃣️Zhagana - Milarepa Buddha Pavilion - Lanzhou . 🎨Exquisite Attractions Milarepa Buddha Pavilion: 'Tibetan Buddhism Museum' ✨ The red Tibetan-style nine-story pagoda in Hezuo City of Gansu's Amdo Tibetan area Tips: 🎫20/person Tibetan area V1⃣️ houses the architecture that worships masters of various sects of Tibetan Buddhism, each floor is a separate Buddha hall, representing different sects, worshiping different main deities . Gannan Secret Realm: ✨ In Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture's Xiahe County, Gannan Town, the scenic area contains rich geological structures and unique Tibetan customs Tips: 🎫80/person The eastern part of Ganjia Grassland has the mark of the Silk Road in the ancient Octagonal City, and at the end is the magical Baishi Cliff, with caves, grand canyons, and other landscapes in between . Zhagana: A hidden paradise among the clouds surrounded by mountains, where one can watch the morning mist and the starry sky at night, a utopian land of half fireworks and half celestial Tips: 🎫80/person (half price for student tickets) Dari Viewing Platform is good for watching the sunrise but often crowded, Fairy Beach is the best spot for sunset in the scenic area, with crystal clear water . Labrang Monastery: 'World Tibetan Academy', built against the mountain with red walls and glazed tiles, has the world's longest prayer corridor Tips: 🎫 Main hall, namely Wensi Hall, 40/person, Gontang Pagoda 20/person The prayer corridor should be visited clockwise, and there is a wooden bridge across the Daxia River to the southwest of the monastery, where you can take a panoramic photo of Labrang Monastery 50 meters south of the Buddha sunning platform . Langmu Temple: Not a temple but a town, the Bailong River inside the town divides Langmu Temple into two, which are Gerdeng Monastery in Sichuan and Sertri Monastery in Gansu Tips: 🎫30/person (same price for both temples) The Flesh Relic Hall in Sichuan Gerdeng Monastery is the essence of Langmu Temple, and you can also pass through the Namo Grand Canyon, through the Fairy Cave, Tiger Cave, and explore the source of the Bailong River . Sangke Grassland: One of the largest highland grasslands in Gannan, also a natural pasture, where local Tibetans often pray and celebrate festivals Tips: Grassland protection 💰15 yuan Horse riding price 50-80/30min Respect the local customs and religious beliefs, try not to enter yurts/temples at will, and do not damage stone carvings, prayer flags, etc. . 🌟Considerate Tips 1⃣️The average altitude of Gannan is over 3000m, so it is necessary to prevent altitude sickness and avoid strenuous exercise 2⃣️You can prepare some anti-altitude sickness medicines, such as Rhodiola, oxygen, and glucose, etc. 3⃣️Colorful clothes can produce photos with richer layers 4⃣️The region is mostly inhabited by Tibetans and some Hui people, so it is necessary to respect local customs and habits

Visiting a local mountain festival

Sometimes you're just at the right place at the right time. During our roadtrip in South-Gansu, we climbed a mountain and found out about the local Tibetan festival, that occurs for one week during August. We tried some homemade food and had a chat waiting for the sunset. We even met a guy from Xi'An who travels there every summer. Where? Zhagana offers a stunning landscape, forests and small villages. Locals do both farming and pasturing work in Zhagana. The best season to visit is from May to October. Summer is the best time to go as everything turns to green, winter gets cold! ⭐ While visiting Zhagana, there are many opportunities to experience the local culture. Just walk around and see what happens. 😊 Enjoy your trip! 🚐 Zhagana is better for a car trip. 🎫 Entrance fee is around 20 RMB. #tibet #village #historicculture#summervacation#hikingtrails

Zha (g) is an ancient city in Yiwa Township, located more than 30 kilometers northwest of Diebu County, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province. The Tibetan language means Shizizi. The terrain is like a giant palace with a large scale and a natural rock wall. Zha That the mountain is steep, misty, like a fairyland. A variety of production activities such as nomadic, farming, hunting and plucking in the Tibetan village are rationally matched and complemented, which has become a model for people to live in harmony with nature. Zhana in Yiwow Township, Diebu County, Gansu Province is a Tibetan language, meaning Shizizi. Zhaqin Mountain is located in Yiwa Township, 34 kilometers northwest of Diebu County. It is a complete natural Shicheng custom. It is called the "King of the King". The terrain is like a giant palace with a large scale, and a complete ancient city built by natural rock walls. Zhengbei is a majestic, majestic and glorious mountain with a gleaming peak. The ancient name "Shijing Mountain" has its name because of its gray-white rock. It is famous for its easy-reflecting light in the east; the rocky wall in the east rises into the sky, and the clouds are haunted; The pinnacles rise from the ground, and they stand together to form a stone gate; then south to the east wow, the Naga area, the cliffs stand, the clear stream rises and falls, the water mill flywheel, the flow continues. The mountain is steep and beautiful, like a large-scale stone palace. Although this paradise was named as the birthplace of Adam and Eve as early as nearly a hundred years ago, it is still a virgin land.

Experience the classic Gannan mini-tour this May Day, four days and three nights for around 1k+ per person

📣 If you don't know where to go for the May Day holiday, head to Gannan! Grasslands, lakes, 🏔️ snow-capped mountains, 💐 seas of flowers, wetlands, 🌲 forests, rivers, temples, ☁️ blue skies with white clouds, fluttering prayer flags, and Tibetan charm—all your beautiful imaginations can be found in Gannan. ❓❗ Is it worth going to Gannan for May Day? ✅ Fewer people→ Gannan has relatively fewer people during May Day, so you won't be stuck in crowds of people everywhere you go👩‍👩‍👦‍👦 ✅ Tibetan culture→ Rich in Tibetan culture, the world-renowned Tibetan academy 'Labrang Monastery' is located here. You can experience Tibetan specialty foods🍲, take Tibetan-style portraits, and more ✅ Low altitude→ The average altitude is around 3000 meters, which is considered a 'low altitude' area in Tibet, 👍🏻 and most people will not suffer from altitude sickness ✅ Low cost→ Prices increase slightly during May Day, but are much lower compared to July and August ❓❗ What can you see in Gannan during May Day? ✅ Only in May can you see the half snow-capped mountains🏔️ and half green lands! ✅ Secluded and leisurely Tibetan villages, sacred and solemn temples, fewer noisy tourists, making this land peaceful and quiet, allowing you to calm down, contemplate life, and feel the devout Tibetan faith ✅ The beauty lies in the landscape, and when you're at the scenic spot, the feeling of having the mountains and waters all to yourself is undoubtedly a pleasure 💫 First stop of the journey—Lanzhou city walk, check in with the taste of the Northwest 💫 Sangke Grassland—Endless meadows where you can ride horses🐴 💫 Zhagana—Natural stone city, God's Eden 💫 Flower Lake—Ruoergai Wetland, encounter the distant Black-necked Cranes 💫 Labrang Monastery—World-renowned Tibetan academy, appreciate the profound Tibetan culture 💫 Langmu Temple—The Eastern Switzerland, a miniature version of Shangri-La 💫 Milarepa Buddha Pavilion—A resplendent Tibetan cultural museum 💫 Select comfortable accommodations along the way, 🏨 stay comfortably, relax and rest 💫 38 degrees users are mostly young people aged 16-39, creating a relaxed and fun atmosphere 🌈 This route is suitable for friends who are visiting Gannan for the first time! 👍🏻 First encounter with Gannan >> Lanzhou distribution >> 3+1 days D1 Nationwide - Free travel to Lanzhou D2 Lanzhou - Labrang Monastery - Sangke Grassland - Diebu D3 Diebu - Zhagana - Flower Lake - Langmu Temple D4 Langmu Temple - Guomang Wetland - Milarepa Buddha Pavilion - Lanzhou 📣PS: The itinerary includes buses & cars, two different ways to play, choose your travel style freely based on your schedule Tips: 1⃣️ The grassland has a large temperature difference between day and night, ☔ the weather is changeable, bring a thick coat, the night sky is beautiful 2⃣️ Be sure to protect yourself from the sun, 🌞 the UV rays are strong in the plateau areas 3⃣️ Although the altitude is not very high, altitude sickness varies from person to person, it is recommended to bring altitude sickness medicine, as well as some chocolate🍫, glucose 4⃣️ There are many cattle and sheep on the grassland, be careful when driving

Departing from Xi'an on May Day, embark on a unique and pure journey to Gannan!!

In this land with an average altitude of 2900 meters, you can encounter grasslands, lakes, snow-capped mountains, seas of flowers, wetlands, forests, rivers, temples, blue skies and white clouds, fluttering prayer flags, and Tibetan charm. All your beautiful imaginations can be met in Gannan. The itinerary includes options for coach & car, two different ways to enjoy the trip, and you can freely choose the way to play according to your schedule. 🌈First stop on the itinerary is a city walk in Lanzhou, checking in with the Northwest flavor🌈Sangke Grassland - an endless meadow where you can ride horses 🌈Zhagana - a natural stone city, God's Eden Flower Lake🌈Ruoergai Wetland, encountering the distant Black-necked Crane 🌈Labrang Monastery - a world center of Tibetan studies, experiencing the profound Tibetan culture 🌈Langmu Temple - the Oriental Switzerland, a miniature version of Shangri-La 🌈Anduo Hezuo Monastery's Milarepa Buddha Pavilion - a resplendent Tibetan studies museum 🏨Carefully selected comfortable accommodations along the way, ensuring a comfortable stay. 💰Admission fees: A: Labrang Monastery 40 yuan (entrance to the hall)|Students 20 yuan B: Zhagana 80 yuan|Students 40 yuan C: Flower Lake 105 yuan|Students 75 yuan D: Langmu Temple 30 yuan|Students half price E: Milarepa Buddha Pavilion 20 yuan|Students 10 yuan ⚠️Warm tips for essential items: 1️⃣Gannan is a plateau region with strong ultraviolet radiation, remember to protect yourself from the sun, and be aware of the large temperature difference between day and night, around 5-18°C! 2️⃣Clothing: For travel between April and May, it is recommended to prepare clothes for both spring and winter, lightweight down jackets, windbreakers, and thin outerwear with long sleeves for the daytime 3️⃣Shoes: Comfortable sports shoes/hiking shoes are both suitable 4️⃣Thermal water bottle: When going out for a trip, it is recommended to drink hot water throughout the journey 5️⃣Electronic payment is available, but also carry a small amount of cash 6️⃣Sun protection: hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, face masks

Is the Gannan Secret Realm really worth visiting?

The Gannan Secret Realm, with cliffs, grasslands, streams, stone forests, canyons, temples... is a mysterious, simple, and somewhat isolated place of wonder, located in Xiahe County, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. There are many online posts advising on what to avoid, and while I find the Octagon City just okay, I really like the Báishí Cliff and Báishí Cliff Temple area. Watching the Báishí Cliff Temple bathed in gold at sunset, enjoying a yak hotpot in the Báishí Secret Realm while watching the evening glow, and slowly driving through the winding mountain roads to see the spectacular Báishí Cliff are all wonderful memories of the Gannan Secret Realm. 🚗‼️When visiting the Gannan Secret Realm, I highly recommend driving to the Báishí Cliff Cave Viewing Platform (which offers a direct overlook of the Báishí Cliff Temple and Báishí Cliff, with a parking fee of 5 yuan). Along the way, you will pass by the Báishí Cliff Temple. If you have plenty of time and energy, you can first visit the Octagon City Viewing Platform to overlook the Octagon City (it requires climbing a wooden walkway for 30 minutes to overlook the Octagon City, which I personally find average and could be skipped, parking lot fee is 5 yuan, and the walkway is free of charge) 🏡Octagon Ancient City Built during the Western Han Dynasty, the Octagon Ancient City has a history of over 2000 years and was a strategic military town during the Han-Qiang and Tang-Tibetan periods. The architectural shape of the Octagon Ancient City is unique in the world, with the outer city shaped like an octagon, and all the open spaces outside the city walls within the range of the archers on the walls, making it a defense with no blind spots. The shape of the Octagon Ancient City perfectly matches the mandala of Tibetan Buddhism, representing the perfect integration of the spiritual and material worlds. ⛰️Báishí Cliff Báishí Cliff is a natural barrier stretching 15 kilometers long, majestic and towering over the Gannan land, vertically dividing the Gannan grassland into two high mountain grasslands with a drop of 1000 meters. Standing on the viewing platform, the sight of Báishí Cliff is even more breathtaking! 🌞It is recommended to take photos from the Báishí Cliff Cave Viewing Platform at sunset, where you can see the beauty of the golden light enveloping the area! 🐴It is said that entering the Báishí Cliff Grand Canyon on horseback is the best way to experience the essence of the Gannan Secret Realm. We gave up this method because we did not have much time reserved. 🏠About accommodation: We chose the latter between the Xiahe Gannan Ecological Camping Site and the Báishí Secret Realm Homestay in the Gannan Secret Realm. The entrance to the Báishí Secret Realm Homestay campsite is right at the Báishí Cliff Cave Viewing Platform, which offers an overlook of the Báishí Cliff Temple and Báishí Cliff. The Gannan Ecological Camping Site is located at the entrance of the Gannan Secret Realm, 12 kilometers away from the most beautiful scenery, a 20-minute drive. The Báishí Secret Realm Homestay has bubble tents and wooden houses, with no bathing facilities or toilets in the rooms. There is no bathing at the homestay, the public toilet is a dry toilet, and there is a basin in the tent for washing face and brushing teeth. The tent has charging facilities and an electric blanket. However, due to the high altitude and it being the first night of our trip in Gannan, we hardly slept well due to altitude sickness. 🍲The yak hotpot in the homestay is highly recommended, with good quality yak meat, available as buffet or à la carte, with the latter being more recommended. Next to the homestay, there is also a Tibetan tent selling yak yogurt. 💰The entrance fee to the Gannan Secret Realm is 80 yuan, but we were not charged when we visited, reportedly due to internal renovations.

May Day Travel | 3-Day Gannan Loop | The Road of Zhagana and Loka

The beauty of nine colors, the secret realm of Gannan🌈 When the first rays of the morning sun sprinkle on Zhagana amidst the clouds🌞 Herds of cattle and sheep stroll on the Sangke Grassland, and red-robed monks murmur scriptures in the Milarepa Buddha Pavilion... The whole world seems peaceful and serene~ Those who are preparing for the May Day holiday, take a look here, you must not miss this niche scenic area❗❗ . 🚘Itinerary at a glance D1⃣️Lanzhou - Gannan Secret Realm - Labrang Monastery - Xiahe D2⃣️Xiahe - Sangke Grassland - Langmu Temple - Zhagana D3⃣️Zhagana - Milarepa Buddha Pavilion - Lanzhou . 🎨Exquisite Attractions Milarepa Buddha Pavilion: 'Tibetan Buddhism Museum' ✨ The red Tibetan-style nine-story pagoda in Hezuo City of Gansu's Amdo Tibetan area Tips: 🎫20/person Tibetan area V1⃣️ houses the architecture that worships masters of various sects of Tibetan Buddhism, each floor is a separate Buddha hall, representing different sects, worshiping different main deities . Gannan Secret Realm: ✨ In Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture's Xiahe County, Gannan Town, the scenic area contains rich geological structures and unique Tibetan customs Tips: 🎫80/person The eastern part of Ganjia Grassland has the mark of the Silk Road in the ancient Octagonal City, and at the end is the magical Baishi Cliff, with caves, grand canyons, and other landscapes in between . Zhagana: A hidden paradise among the clouds surrounded by mountains, where one can watch the morning mist and the starry sky at night, a utopian land of half fireworks and half celestial Tips: 🎫80/person (half price for student tickets) Dari Viewing Platform is good for watching the sunrise but often crowded, Fairy Beach is the best spot for sunset in the scenic area, with crystal clear water . Labrang Monastery: 'World Tibetan Academy', built against the mountain with red walls and glazed tiles, has the world's longest prayer corridor Tips: 🎫 Main hall, namely Wensi Hall, 40/person, Gontang Pagoda 20/person The prayer corridor should be visited clockwise, and there is a wooden bridge across the Daxia River to the southwest of the monastery, where you can take a panoramic photo of Labrang Monastery 50 meters south of the Buddha sunning platform . Langmu Temple: Not a temple but a town, the Bailong River inside the town divides Langmu Temple into two, which are Gerdeng Monastery in Sichuan and Sertri Monastery in Gansu Tips: 🎫30/person (same price for both temples) The Flesh Relic Hall in Sichuan Gerdeng Monastery is the essence of Langmu Temple, and you can also pass through the Namo Grand Canyon, through the Fairy Cave, Tiger Cave, and explore the source of the Bailong River . Sangke Grassland: One of the largest highland grasslands in Gannan, also a natural pasture, where local Tibetans often pray and celebrate festivals Tips: Grassland protection 💰15 yuan Horse riding price 50-80/30min Respect the local customs and religious beliefs, try not to enter yurts/temples at will, and do not damage stone carvings, prayer flags, etc. . 🌟Considerate Tips 1⃣️The average altitude of Gannan is over 3000m, so it is necessary to prevent altitude sickness and avoid strenuous exercise 2⃣️You can prepare some anti-altitude sickness medicines, such as Rhodiola, oxygen, and glucose, etc. 3⃣️Colorful clothes can produce photos with richer layers 4⃣️The region is mostly inhabited by Tibetans and some Hui people, so it is necessary to respect local customs and habits

2024 Gannan Travel New Routes, Tested Itinerary Included

Families planning to travel to Gannan in 2024, take a look! These are all personally tested routes and local delicacies recommended 👍🏻 Here are several routes, you can choose according to your travel time We chose a local small group tour, and the driver arranged for us was a local, which made the trip particularly interesting 😎 In the morning, the driver waited for us on time at the hotel entrance, and along the way, he introduced us to some of the local customs He also let us get off the bus along the way to rest and take photos, and we were lucky to encounter a stunning sunset 🌄 · 🚗 Gannan 4-Day Route: D1: Depart from Lanzhou -- Labrang Monastery - Gannan Secret Realm - Bajiao City - Baishiya Karst Cave D2 - Sangke Grassland - Guomang Wetland - Langmu Monastery - Namo Grand Canyon - First Bend of the Yellow River in Zoige D3 - Zoige Grassland - Zoige Flower Lake - Zhagana D4 - Zhagana - Loke Route - Milarepa Buddha Pavilion - Darzong Lake - Lanzhou · 🚗 Gannan 5-Day Travel Route: D1: Lanzhou -- Milarepa Buddha Pavilion -- Meiren Grassland -- Loke Route -- Zhagana D2: Zhagana -- Flower Lake -- Zoige Grassland -- First Bend of the Yellow River -- Tangke D3: Tangke -- Wache Monastery -- Moon Bay -- Gemu Monastery -- Lianbao Yezhe -- Aba D4: Aba -- Ningma Monastery -- Awan Warehouse Wetland -- Namo Grand Canyon -- Langmu Monastery -- Xiahe D5: Sangke Grassland -- Labrang Monastery -- Gannan Secret Realm -- Lanzhou · 🚗 Gannan 5-Day Travel Route: D1: Lanzhou -- Gannan Secret Realm -- Labrang Monastery D2: Xiahe -- Sangke Grassland -- Awan Warehouse Wetland -- Ningma Monastery D3: Lianbao Yezhe -- Gemu Monastery -- First Bend of the Yellow River D4: Zoige Grassland/Flower Lake -- Langmu Monastery D5: Langmu Monastery -- Half-day tour of Zhagana D6: Zhagana sunrise mist -- Loke Route -- Niba Village Gongba Monastery -- Milarepa Buddha Pavilion -- Lanzhou · 🍑 Food Recommendations: Gannan's popular restaurant Wuze Linka, Tibetan milk tea, buttered fern root rice, tsampa, stone-cooked lamb, Tibetan yak yogurt Northwestern cuisine is quite strong, be careful to prevent getting 'heaty' ⚠️ Precautions: 🔸 The altitude in the Gannan area is around 3000-4500 meters, pay attention to slow down to avoid catching a cold and prevent altitude sickness, the temperature difference between day and night is large 🔸 Lanzhou airport is far from the city center, you can take an intercity train or airport bus to reach the city center 🔸 On the last day back to Lanzhou, it's around 7 pm, you can eat some local snacks in the city center of Lanzhou, and return the next day

Gannan Secret Realm: Exploring the Soul-Healing Land of Gansu

Gannan, this secret realm praised by 'National Geographic' as a 'must-visit in a lifetime', what charm does it hold? It's not Tibet, yet it has a similar Tibetan culture, stunning natural scenery, and few tourists. 📍 Location: Southwest Gansu Province 🚗 Travel Guide: First arrive at Lanzhou Zhongchuan Airport, then transfer to various places in Gannan. 🔍 Tour Route: 1. Lanzhou → Gannan Secret Realm → Labrang Monastery → Xiahe 2. Labrang Monastery → Sangke Grassland → Zhagana 3. Zhagana → Ruoergai Flower Lake → Nine-Bend Yellow River → Tangke 4. Tangke → Wache Tower Forest → Hongyuan, Moon Bay → Jiuzhi 5. Jiuzhi → Lianbaoyuze → Aba 6. Jiuzhi → Awan Warehouse Wetland → Gahai Lake → Langmu Temple 7. Langmu Temple → Milarepa Buddha Pavilion → Linxia → Lanzhou 🏞️ Must-Visit Attractions: 1. Gannan Secret Realm: The greenery here can heal the soul, with Bajiao City, Baishi Cliff, and Baishi Cliff Temple, each spot is breathtakingly beautiful. 2. Labrang Monastery: One of the six major monasteries of the Gelug sect of Tibetan Buddhism, known as the 'World's Tibetan Academy'. Remember to rent a set of Tibetan clothes and experience this sanctity. 3. Sangke Grassland: A plateau at an altitude of 4000 meters, step on the grassland and look up at the sky. 4. Self-drive Rock's Road: Follow Joseph Rock, cross the Guanggai Mountain, and explore Diebu Zhagana. 5. Zhagana: Pure, primitive, and tranquil, the beauty here is unforgettable. 🍜 Food Recommendations: Milk tea, fried dough sticks, Zanba, yogurt, meat dumplings, meat buns, noodles, and hand-grabbed mutton, etc. 📝 Travel Tips: 1. The temperature difference between day and night is significant, bring a jacket, and cold protection in the morning and evening is essential. 2. Equipment: Thermos, power bank, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, lip balm, rain gear, etc. 3. Medicines: Cold medicine, gastrointestinal medicine, band-aids, etc. Are you ready? Let's embark on the secret journey of Gannan together and feel the magic and beauty of this land! 🧳🌄

Langmu Temple | Gannan must pass the pilgrimage site Some people say "Do not come to Langmu Temple, equal to not to Gannan", which shows the importance of this Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Gannan. Langmu Temple is generally planned to travel in Gannan or North Sichuan. It is close to the Gannan Labrang Monastery to the north and the Zoige Grassland to the south. [Recommended travel itinerary] arrive at Langmu Temple at noon on the first day. In the afternoon, visit the Gedi Temple in Sichuan, then walk to the Bailongjiang Gorge and stay in the town at night. The next morning, I went to the Gandan Sai Chi Temple in Gansu. After that, you can take the Noons shuttle bus to leave Langmu Temple and go to other attractions in Gannan. [What can I experience here? 1 Langmu Temple Riding Langmu Temple There is a horse-riding tour nearby. The horse team has a consultation shop in the town. The price ranges from 150-400 yuan. The horse-riding destination includes the source of Bailongjiang and Hongshi. Cliffs, flowers and other places. 2 Langmu Temple celestial burial is biased toward Gansu in Langmu Temple. There is a celestial burial platform on the back hill of Saiji Temple. The celestial burial in this area is more open and can be viewed by tourists. If you have the consent of your family, you can take pictures. 3 Turning the mountains and turning the water to the stupa Tibetan people's devout faith is the snow lotus in the sky, full of pure to pure. They are kind and simple, and they only turn for the faith. An ancient turn of the road outside Xiahe Labrang Monastery is a lap I have to go to the Labrang Monastery every time. This is also one of my favorite temples.

Experience the classic Gannan mini-tour this May Day, four days and three nights for around 1k+ per person

📣 If you don't know where to go for the May Day holiday, head to Gannan! Grasslands, lakes, 🏔️ snow-capped mountains, 💐 seas of flowers, wetlands, 🌲 forests, rivers, temples, ☁️ blue skies with white clouds, fluttering prayer flags, and Tibetan charm—all your beautiful imaginations can be found in Gannan. ❓❗ Is it worth going to Gannan for May Day? ✅ Fewer people→ Gannan has relatively fewer people during May Day, so you won't be stuck in crowds of people everywhere you go👩‍👩‍👦‍👦 ✅ Tibetan culture→ Rich in Tibetan culture, the world-renowned Tibetan academy 'Labrang Monastery' is located here. You can experience Tibetan specialty foods🍲, take Tibetan-style portraits, and more ✅ Low altitude→ The average altitude is around 3000 meters, which is considered a 'low altitude' area in Tibet, 👍🏻 and most people will not suffer from altitude sickness ✅ Low cost→ Prices increase slightly during May Day, but are much lower compared to July and August ❓❗ What can you see in Gannan during May Day? ✅ Only in May can you see the half snow-capped mountains🏔️ and half green lands! ✅ Secluded and leisurely Tibetan villages, sacred and solemn temples, fewer noisy tourists, making this land peaceful and quiet, allowing you to calm down, contemplate life, and feel the devout Tibetan faith ✅ The beauty lies in the landscape, and when you're at the scenic spot, the feeling of having the mountains and waters all to yourself is undoubtedly a pleasure 💫 First stop of the journey—Lanzhou city walk, check in with the taste of the Northwest 💫 Sangke Grassland—Endless meadows where you can ride horses🐴 💫 Zhagana—Natural stone city, God's Eden 💫 Flower Lake—Ruoergai Wetland, encounter the distant Black-necked Cranes 💫 Labrang Monastery—World-renowned Tibetan academy, appreciate the profound Tibetan culture 💫 Langmu Temple—The Eastern Switzerland, a miniature version of Shangri-La 💫 Milarepa Buddha Pavilion—A resplendent Tibetan cultural museum 💫 Select comfortable accommodations along the way, 🏨 stay comfortably, relax and rest 💫 38 degrees users are mostly young people aged 16-39, creating a relaxed and fun atmosphere 🌈 This route is suitable for friends who are visiting Gannan for the first time! 👍🏻 First encounter with Gannan >> Lanzhou distribution >> 3+1 days D1 Nationwide - Free travel to Lanzhou D2 Lanzhou - Labrang Monastery - Sangke Grassland - Diebu D3 Diebu - Zhagana - Flower Lake - Langmu Temple D4 Langmu Temple - Guomang Wetland - Milarepa Buddha Pavilion - Lanzhou 📣PS: The itinerary includes buses & cars, two different ways to play, choose your travel style freely based on your schedule Tips: 1⃣️ The grassland has a large temperature difference between day and night, ☔ the weather is changeable, bring a thick coat, the night sky is beautiful 2⃣️ Be sure to protect yourself from the sun, 🌞 the UV rays are strong in the plateau areas 3⃣️ Although the altitude is not very high, altitude sickness varies from person to person, it is recommended to bring altitude sickness medicine, as well as some chocolate🍫, glucose 4⃣️ There are many cattle and sheep on the grassland, be careful when driving

Langmu Temple | Exploring the Mysterious Tibetan Culture

| Exploring the Mysterious Tibetan Culture.🏯 Langmu Temple | Exploring the Mysterious Tibetan Culture 🏞 "Exploring the mysterious Tibetan culture, appreciating the sacred Buddhist faith, all of this can be perfectly experienced at Langmu Temple." 🌠 Langmu Temple town is situated at an altitude of 3500 meters, located between Gannan Luqu County in Gansu and Aba in Sichuan, with the Bailong River running through the town. There are two temples in Langmu Temple town, one in Gansu, called 'Dacang Langmu Saichi Temple', and one in Sichuan, called 'Gerdi Temple'; both temples belong to the Gelug sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The Gansu temple is larger in scale, built against the mountain, with more magnificent architecture, resplendent in gold, especially dazzling when the sun shines, glittering with gold; the Sichuan temple mainly features the natural landscape - Namo Grand Canyon. 🎆Little Tips: Langmu Temple town really has everything, convenience stores, restaurants (barbecue, Tibetan meals, Sichuan cuisine are all available, and extremely popular, all requiring waiting, haha), and even pharmacies where you can buy oxygen bottles for backup. It's worth mentioning that the weather in Luqu is noticeably colder than in Xiahe, so cold that I immediately put on a down jacket, feeling like entering winter overnight. 💰Ticket Price: 🎫The ticket for Dacang Langmu Saichi Temple (Gansu Temple) is 30 yuan per person, parking is 5 yuan per time. Overall, Saichi Temple feels more relaxed compared to Labrang Monastery.

Recommended five-day self-driving tour from Xi'an to Gannan!

👍Most recommended: There are many travel routes from Xi'an to Gannan, and here is a popular five-day tour itinerary: 🗓Itinerary: Day 1: Xi'an—Sangke Grassland. The whole journey is about 790 kilometers. Depart from Xi'an, take the Lianhuo Expressway westward, with almost no traffic after Baoji, exit the expressway at Wushan County, and then drive for an hour and a half to reach Langdaban Grassland. Watch the sunrise here, camp and rest. Depart at noon to reach Min County for lunch, then continue west along National Highway 316, passing through the terraced fields of thousands of acres, the viewing platform of Zhuoni County, and arrive at Hezuo City. The Duohe'er Temple and Zhayou Temple along the way can be visited for free. If you don't want to camp, you can stay in the city. For camping, navigate to Zhayou Township, follow the road to the mountain pass, which is part of the Sangke Grassland, sparsely populated, and an excellent spot for camping and stargazing. Day 2: Sangke—Langmu Temple. The whole journey is about 160 kilometers. Wake up naturally in the morning on the grassland, have breakfast, and then enter the Sangke Grassland. Even on the boundless grassland road, the beauty of Guomang Wetland and the tenderness of Gahai Lake touch people's hearts. Arrive at Langmu Temple in the afternoon, the only place in the town that may get congested, where you can gather in the town or visit the temples. Langmu Temple has two temples, belonging to Ruoergai County in Sichuan and Luqu County in Gansu. If you want to see rippling blue waves, you can go to the Namo Grand Canyon in Sichuan's Langmu Temple, which is the source of the Bailong River. The clear stream flows past the caves on the cliff edge, where you can throw stones for good luck, and of course, feeding pigeons is also a good choice. Day 3: Langmu Temple—Zhagana. The whole journey is about 330 kilometers. Leave Langmu Temple and take the U13 county road into Ruoergai. This is a city of grasslands, where you will pass the winding Heihe Ranch, see cattle and sheep running freely, galloping horses, and also pass the Yellow River's Great Bend, where you can listen to the low cry of the mother river. Drive north from Tangke on National Highway 248, and you can reach Zhagana Village by evening, where you can choose to stay in the village or camp at the viewing platform. Day 4 Zhagana—Lintan County. The total length is about 140 kilometers. Catch the sunrise over Zhagana in the early morning, and start the essence of this journey, the Loke Crossing—Zhagana to Zagulu Town, 100 kilometers of unpaved road, 40 kilometers of bomb craters, which will shake you to doubt life, but it does not affect your anticipation of the beautiful scenery. In the middle of the crossing, a new hiking trail has been built, where you can walk a short distance and stand high to overlook the entire valley. If you can only go to one place in Gannan by self-driving, then the Loke Road is the best answer. When the car reaches Zagulu Town, you finally escape the bumpy road section and stay in Lintan County in the evening. Day 5 Lintan—Xi'an. Return to Xi'an via the expressway. If you have more time, you can also detour to Liuba to experience the passion of red leaves. Gannan has rich scenery and many options, you can adjust according to your time.