Things to do in Xiahe

Ganjia Secret Realm

The "Gangjia Secret Realm" is located in Gangjia Town, Xiahe County, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, with a total area of ​​131.23 square kilometers. The altitude difference between the north and south of the Attraction is 1,300 meters. The unique geological structure contains a variety of geological resources such as cliffs, grasslands, plateau lakes, stone forests, canyons, prehistoric caves, and rivers. The Bajiao Ancient City, Zuohai Temple, Baishiya Temple, and the Denisovan Site Cave have become the imprints of the Attraction profound historical and cultural heritage. Academic masters and eminent monks such as Guru Padmasambhava, Tsongkhapa, Gongtang Cang, and Gendun Gumpel have successively studied, practiced, and preached in the Gangjia area.

Selected for Fall Viewing Attractions in Gansu

Ganjia Grassland

Ganjia Grassland is an open alpine meadow and a traditional pasture where herders have grazed their livestock for generations. In midsummer, the grassland is lush green, with wildflowers spreading along the gentle slopes and herds of cattle and sheep scattered throughout. Compared to Sangke Grassland near the county seat, it receives fewer tourists and retains the more primitive and tranquil appearance of an alpine pasture. The grassland's distinctiveness largely comes from the Baishiya stretching across the end of the pasture — a gray-white cliff stretching over 10 km that stands like a screen above the greenery, with Baishiya Temple located at its foot. The Yangqu River and Yangla River meander across the grassland. The Bajiao Ancient City, built on the terrace where the Yangqu and Yangla rivers meet, is named for its eight corners. Ascend the viewing platform to take in the panoramic view of the ancient city, surrounding highland barley fields, and pastures. The grassland covers a large area with scattered attractions. Baishiya, Bajiao Ancient City, and Zuohai Temple are located in different directions, making it suitable for a self-drive or car charter tour along the route.

No. 3 of Best Things to Do in Gannan

Labrang Monastery

Located in Gannan District's Xiahe County, Labrang Monastery is one of the six great monasteries of the Gelug (Yellow) Sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The monastery is large in scale and high in status. A representative example of the monasteries and temples throughout Gannan, it is a must-see for visitors to the area. It is a majestic temple complex. It offers spectacular sights while walking through and also when taking in a panoramic bird's-eye view from its highest point. The monastery is full of giant Buddha statues and various exquisite sculptures, murals and countless musical instruments. Furthermore, the long corridor of the Labrang Monastery is a sight rarely seen anywhere else in the world. This is a place where pilgrims come to accumulate merit and to pray for friends and relatives.

No. 15 of Night Attractions in Gansu

Sangke Grassland

Sangke Grassland is a meadow grassland on the northeastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, with an average altitude of over 3,000m and a grassland area of approx. 70 sq km. The grassland is surrounded by mountains, and the Daxia River winds its way from south to north. It is part of the Dajiutan Grassland in Sangke Town. "Dajiutan" means "horse-racing beach" in Tibetan and has traditionally been a natural pasture for Tibetan herders to graze livestock and race horses. The grassland is lush with green grass, wildflowers cover the gentle slopes, and white tents are scattered throughout. Horseback riding is a common experience here, usually with a groom leading the horse at a slow pace. Walking up the hillside behind the grassland, the grass is denser, wildflowers grow in patches, and the view is even more expansive. The pasture guesthouses on the grassland offer Tibetan food and tent stays. The plateau sky is clear at night, making it perfect for stargazing. The local Tibetan people have a tradition of the Xianglang Festival around the sixth lunar month, when herders set up tents on the grassland with their families to have picnics, sing, and dance the Guozhuang.

Baishi Cliff

Baishiya is located 30 kilometers north of Xiahe County. To travel to Ganga, you can't miss the wonderful Baishiya Karst Cave. Baishi is not pure white, it may be named because of its contrast with green. Baishiya runs from east to west and is about 15 kilometers long. From a distance, it looks like a white jade screen, lying in the air, shining under the blue sky and white clouds. Standing under the Baishi Cliff, you not only admire the majestic and majestic nature of nature, but also feel the softness and moistness of nature. In the west of the bottom of Baishi Cliff, there is a karst cave that can accommodate three or four people. The cave has gurgling water and winding paths. It is said that there are naturally formed Tibetan vowels and consonants on the stone walls in the cave, as well as stone shapes such as Ruyi Bao Niu, Ruyi Treasure Tree and Natural Rice. In 1982, the tenth Panchen Lama visited this cave during his inspection in Gannan. Baishiyan Karst Cave is said to stretch for hundreds of miles and can lead to Xunhua County, Qinghai Province.

Norden Camp

The campsite is located on the winter pasture of the Sangke Grassland, at an altitude of 3,200 m, near Labrang Monastery. The campsite consists of 13 well-equipped cabins and tents, with every detail blending the ancient wisdom of nature from nomadic peoples with the pursuit of modern comfort. All guest rooms, including the tents, are fitted with wooden floors and soft, high-quality bedding, and are furnished with traditional-style furniture, local antiques, and textiles locally sourced and meticulously crafted by our sister company, Norlha.

Darzong Lake

Dalzong Lake is about 3,100 meters above sea level, in the shape of irregular gourds and vines. The lakeside is surrounded by mountains on three sides. The lake is full of fish, the lakeside is overgrown with wild grasses, hundreds of flowers are in full bloom, the mountains are densely covered with forests, and hundreds of birds are clustered in the forest. The lake and mountains are intoxicating. Dalzong Lake is a sacred lake in the hearts of Tibetans. Every year on the fourth day of the fifth month of the lunar calendar, Tibetans from all over the world come here to make pilgrimages to plant arrows and pray for good luck. At this time, the whole mountain was filled with smoke, and the sound of conch shells resounded through the sky. The believers turn the prayer wheel with their hands, recite the scriptures, and circle the lake three times in a clockwise direction.

Bajiao City Ruins

Bajiao City Ruins are located in Xiahe County, in the eastern part of Ganjia Grassland, on a terrace at the confluence of theYangqu Riverand the Yangla River. It is named for its eight corners. In ancient times, this was a vital transportation hub between Gansu and Qinghai, as well as a military stronghold fiercely contested by successive central regimes and the Tuyuhun, Tubo, Western Xia, and Xiluo dynasties. Thefortificationis in the shape of a hollow cross, with a moat, defensive walls, and an outer enclosure outside the city, as well as an additional outer city outside the south gate. This shape offortificationis rare in Chinese history and holds high archaeological and aesthetic value. Built during the Han Dynasty, the city broke away from the traditional square layout, making it quite unique. Although the city is not small, the distance between the corners is within the effective range of bows and crossbows, allowing them to cover each other, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack. A large number of artifacts have been unearthed at the Bajiao City Ruins, such as metal coins, bronze oxen, square and rectangular bricks, and tube and flat tiles from the Tang and Song dynasties. In addition, abandoned terraced fields can be found everywhere on the surrounding plains, hills, and terraces, with some extending all the way to the mountaintops. The economic prosperity and dense population of the past are evident from this.

The First Bend of the Yellow River

Sangke Wetland Park

Sangke Wetland Park features a wooden boardwalk that connects the park to the grassland. The park has lush vegetation, fresh air, and beautiful scenery.