Things to do in Hezuo

This is a well-known Tibetan temple in Hezuo City, Gannan Prefecture. It's quite unique, with white stupas somewhat similar to those in Thai temples, and the red monastery exudes a solemn and dignified atmosphere. Taking photos against the backdrop of blue skies and white clouds would definitely be a great experience. Since I have no religious affiliation, I didn't buy a ticket to go inside; I just wandered around the outside. However, I absolutely respect the beliefs of the Tibetan people.

This high-altitude grassland, characterized by frost-covered hills and small grassy mounds, sits at an altitude of 3600m. In June, wildflowers such as the alpine meconopsis bloom across the grassland, creating a stunningly beautiful scene. Highly recommended!

Because the grass on the grassland here grows well, it gives people a feeling of looking into the distance. This feeling of taking in endless scenery is so enjoyable. The world is so big that there are all kinds of wonders, and this is proven in this scenic spot.

The museum has stone tools, bone tools, pottery and bronze tools from the Neolithic Age and the Bronze Age; copper seals, bronze mirrors, inscriptions, bronze bells, bronze swords, and Persian silver coins from the Han and Tang dynasties; porcelain from the Wei and Jin dynasties; porcelain from the Song and Yuan dynasties; and porcelain from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Among the ethnic cultural relics are ethnic costumes, Buddhist statues, thangkas, ritual implements and other religious artworks.

It's worth visiting, very beautiful, but it's quite crowded and uncomfortable. Even with good transportation, it's still not enough; everywhere is packed with people. We chose the off-season, which was a bit better; at least we were able to take some nice photos while enjoying the scenery.

The main scenic area is Huanglonggou, which is about 3.6 kilometers long. The valley is dotted with open-air travertine pools, which are layered like terraced fields and display blue, green and golden colors under the sunlight. You can also get a relatively close view of the snow-capped mountain scenery.

Labrang Monastery is truly a dream destination when the weather is perfect! The golden roofs gleam under the blue sky and white clouds, and the entire monastery appears exceptionally solemn and magnificent in the high-altitude sunshine. As a world-renowned center of Tibetan studies, its prayer wheel corridor stretches for 3.5 kilometers with over 2,000 prayer wheels. Walking clockwise with the pilgrims, the sunlight filters through the eaves, casting warm glow on the prayer wheels and red walls, creating an incredibly atmospheric experience. Climbing the Gongtang Pagoda offers a panoramic view of the golden roofs, white stupas, and brown-red monks' quarters layered upon each other, with rolling mountains and grasslands in the distance – a truly expansive vista. If you're lucky, you might even witness monks debating, their gestures and clapping adding to the captivating atmosphere.

It's definitely worth a visit; it's truly breathtaking. Every detail is meticulously crafted, completely contrary to online claims of shoddy workmanship. The 600-meter-long mural is said to have taken 27 years to paint. I didn't spend the entire fourth-floor Tibetan cultural mural exhibition, but I saw the other exhibits. The guided tours all use headphones, but the volume is extremely low, making it difficult to hear the explanations. If you're just rushing through, don't bother renting a guided tour. However, if you want to take your time and spend an afternoon at each exhibit, it's well worth it.

As the birthplace and memorial monastery of Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism, this historical and cultural site, over 600 years old, is a must-see. Photography of the stupa at the entrance is permitted, but not of the Buddha statues inside. The monastery currently houses over 1000 monks and more than a dozen Living Buddhas. While the throngs of worshippers are bustling, the atmosphere is peaceful and serene (perhaps the burning of large incense sticks is not part of the ritual). Many areas allow you to light lamps for blessings (20 yuan per person, depending on your conscience), and there are places to exchange change for prayers. Best of all, there are Chinese-language guided tours, and the guides are very professional; I learned more about Tibetan Buddhism than I did during my previous trip to Lhasa!