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Best Things to Do
Top 50 Best Things to Do near Maqu [2025]
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Jiuzhaigou National Park
4.7
/5
52276 reviews
9.7
From £ 17.09
Based on 4,213 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8608377769999
Address: Beside the 301 Provincial Highway, Jiuzhaigou Mouth, Yuzha Town, Jiuzhaigou County, Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture
Recommended sightseeing time: 1–2 days
Highlights:
Unique alpine lake clusters and travertine ponds
Tibetan customs & wooden houses
Saved by 7952 users39293 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Wonderful walk in Jiuzhaigou! Have to buy ticket online, bring along passport n scan at entrance! Very convenient! ❤️😄
"After seeing Jiuzhaigou, no other water scenery compares," the legend is truly true.
We went to Jiuzhaigou on October 25th, just before the autumn leaves had begun to change color extensively. But Jiuzhaigou has a different beauty at every season. Even without the colorful leaves, the lakes each have their own unique hue. The water's color is just like described in books, like a gemstone, equally stunning.
During our visit, Jiuzhaigou had already reached its maximum capacity of 41,000 people. Because the scenic area is so large, it didn't feel crowded on the roads. There were only small gatherings at each attraction, but it wasn't congested, and we could still take photos. At the entrance to the scenic area, there were many people, perhaps thousands, but the queues were quick; we could get on the bus in less than ten minutes. Jiuzhaigou's management is indeed very efficient.
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Huanglong National Scenic Area
4.5
/5
12362 reviews
8.5
From £ 18.15
Based on 463 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8640008869692
Address: Pingsong Road, Songpan County, Ngawa Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5–1 day
Highlights:
The Colorful Pool is as gorgeous as a golden dragon's scales
Enchanted calcified pools, earthly paradise
Saved by 2821 users9396 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Huanglong Scenic Area is highly recommended overall, as it boasts abundant travertine formations. It's suggested to take the shuttle bus from Parking Lot 2, then the cable car uphill, and subsequently walk or take another shuttle bus to the Five-Colored Pools. Finally, walk out from the main entrance. This allows for a loop without backtracking.
Convenient and easy to book. Great shuttle transfer services, professional driver and a clean environment on the bus.
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Kumbum Monastery
4.6
/5
17243 reviews
8.3
From £ 1.07
Based on 213 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8609712210188
Address: No. 56 Jinta Road, Huangzhong County, Xining City
Recommended sightseeing time: 2–4 hours
Highlights:
Unique hilltop temple complex
Butter sculptures & Thangka masterpieces
Saved by 251 users9285 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
A bit far from the town , took didi about 60 , also can join the day tour. Weather is a bit cold in end of Oct, but still crowded.
This place is quite nice; I highly recommend a visit. It's well worth seeing, and the scale is magnificent. The scenery is beautiful, breathtaking, and the water is crystal clear, sparkling like a newly opened mirror, its cold light just emerging from its case. The mountains, washed clean by the snow, are pristine and bright, like a beautiful woman freshly washing her face and just beginning to comb her hair. The willow branches are about to unfurl.
No.
4
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Lanzhou Danxia Geological Park
4.5
/5
2448 reviews
8.0
From £ 8.55
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8609312123999
Address: 甘肃省兰州市永登县树屏镇杏花村
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5–1 day
Highlights:
Geological & rural tourism destination
Danxia trail: 1.6 miles views
Saved by 258 users2113 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The scenery was so beautiful that we kept taking photos and lost track of time. Around 6 pm, we got off at the "Daydream Cinema," but there were no more buses or minibuses, and no staff members were around. No one had reminded us of the last shuttle bus time, so the two of us had to walk to the visitor center, about 4.5 kilometers away. The wind was strong, the temperature was -1.5 degrees Celsius, and it got dark quickly. The further we walked, the more scared we became. We tried calling the scenic area, but no one answered. Finally, we called 110 (the police emergency number) and asked them to contact the scenic area staff. After hanging up, a Li Auto electric scooter passed by, and the driver stopped and readily gave us a ride to the parking lot. We chatted along the way, and the driver said he was from the Space Capsule Hotel. His surname was Wang; he was probably the owner or manager. We were extremely grateful to him and will definitely stay there again next time! The first photo was taken on the way to the visitor center.
Key viewing platforms: Nine-Colored Danxia (360° panoramic view of the colorful hills, best spot for drone aerial photography), Danxia Peak Scenic View (climb the 2550-meter Danxia boardwalk to the highest point and experience the awe-inspiring "mountains like sea waves and rocks like whales"), and Silk Road Sunset (capture the epic scene of "the setting sun over the long river" at dusk, with Danxia and the Yellow River in the same frame).
No.
5
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Xining Wildlife Park
4.6
/5
3382 reviews
7.8
Based on 9 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8609718149850
Address: No. 9 Xingzhi Road, Chengxi District, Xining City
Recommended sightseeing time: 2–3 hours
Highlights:
Simulated alpine rocks for snow leopards
Wildlife viewing & educational experience
2320 positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
Verified user reviews
The park exhibits over 180 species and more than 3,000 wild animals, making it the world's only zoo that integrates captive-bred populations of snow leopards, Himalayan vultures, and Pallas's cats.
Guests can see rare animals unique to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, such as snow leopards, Tibetan antelopes, and wild yaks, as well as introduced species like hippos and giraffes.
It was so much fun…a really fun and interesting zoo.
The only downside was that I didn't get to see "Teacher Xiao Liang." Apparently, Tibetan foxes aren't on display anymore because they're afraid of people…
No.
6
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Riyue Mountains (Sun and Moon Mountains)
4.4
/5
1470 reviews
7.7
From £ 3.21
Based on 27 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone +86097117797222532
Address: 40 km southwest of Wuyuan County, Xining City
Recommended sightseeing time: 1–2 hours
Highlights:
Diverse landscapes & fluttering prayer flags
Yak rides & highland photography
Saved by 137 users815 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The Qinghai-Tibet border landscape is breathtaking, the fluttering prayer flags create a wonderful atmosphere, and the legend of Princess Wencheng adds to the charm! A must-see for anyone passing through, the scenery is magnificent, the Tibetan culture is rich, and the price is great!
Since ancient times, Sun and Moon Mountain has been a crucial mountain pass along the Qinghai Road of the Silk Road, the Tang-Tibet Road, and the Tea-Horse Road. Legend has it that Princess Wencheng, while traveling through this area on her marriage to Tubo, cast aside the Sun and Moon Mirror to overcome her homesickness, hence the name Sun and Moon Mountain. This area also marked the boundary between the Tang and Tubo regions, and was the site of important historical events such as the Chiling Trade.
The scenic area boasts attractions such as the Sun Pavilion, the Moon Pavilion, the statue of Princess Wencheng, the Princess Spring, and the Tang-Tibet Road. The area also houses cultural venues such as the Qinghai Ancient Road Museum and the Princess Wencheng Memorial Hall, enriching its history and culture.
No.
7
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Zha Ga Na
4.2
/5
3364 reviews
7.7
From £ 8.55
Based on 21 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8609415668678
Address: Tewo, Gannan, Gansu, China
Recommended sightseeing time: 1–2 days
Highlights:
Two-day hike: lakes & rocks
Taste yak butter tea & visit
Saved by 129 users2484 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The scenery in the scenic area is beautiful. The only regret is that it was foggy in the morning, so we didn't see the sunrise. The mountains and water are beautiful. It's a pity that we didn't have time to walk the whole Runwu Valley. I will definitely go again if I have the chance!
If you have plenty of time and energy, you can skip the ladder and just climb it. I'm a complete newbie, haha. I arrived after 5 PM and headed straight to the viewing platform for photos. The scenic area is actually quite large, so you can walk around and take a stroll. A few other little-known facts: the ladder changes direction around 8 PM and you can descend; it gets very windy and cold at the viewing platform in the evening, so wear warm clothes; flying a drone with a wide-angle lens gives you a chance to capture the sunset and moon in the same frame.
No.
8
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Romantic Show of Jiuzhai
4.4
/5
2200 reviews
7.4
Based on 26 reviews
Jiuzhaigou's Eternal Love | >100 km from downtown
Phone +864008888518
Address: Jiuzhai Qiangu Scene Area, Yuzha Town, Jiuzhaigou County, Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture
Recommended sightseeing time: 1–3 hours
Highlights:
Experience statue & Tibetan watchtower
Tibetan & Qiang culture show
Saved by 273 users998 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The Jiuzhaigou Ancient Town Scenic Area has such a unique environment! The Qiang-style watchtowers are very distinctive, the colorful paintings of Zhuoma on the walls are incredibly photogenic, the entire park is clean and tidy, and the cleaning staff are always on-site; the staff are also incredibly friendly, patiently guiding you and introducing the sights along the way if you accidentally get lost. Visiting such a thoughtful and welcoming scenic area is a truly pleasant experience!
The haunted house experience at Jiuzhaigou Ancient Town Scenic Area was amazing! The set design was meticulous, with realistic props and sound effects; walking in felt like watching a horror movie. Afterwards, seeing the White Pagoda instantly calmed me down; its pristine white structure was very reassuring. The "Guozhuang Carnival" performance outside was lively and energetic; dancing to the music made all my fatigue disappear!
No.
9
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Gansu Provincial Museum
4.6
/5
3846 reviews
7.4
Based on 134 reviews
Gansu Provincial Museum/Lanzhou Center | >100 km from downtown
Phone +8609312339131
Address: No. 3 Xijin East Road, Qilihe District, Lanzhou City
Recommended sightseeing time: 3–4 hours
Highlights:
Paint pottery & experience history
Archaeology & artifact restoration workshop
Saved by 122 users2471 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The number of visitors was absolutely enormous; you were basically just being pushed around by the crowd. I saw the Flying Horse of Gansu and the Little Girl with the Curtain-like Hairpin. There weren't many exhibits inside; pottery made up a large portion. Overall, it was alright. I hired a guided tour, so at least I didn't just wander around aimlessly.
Whenever I travel to a new place, I always want to visit a museum to learn about its history. I booked free tickets in advance through the official WeChat account, and there's a free locker on the left side of the entrance, which was very convenient. I was surprised by how many visitors usually visit the Gansu Museum, and there was a long line right at the entrance. The main areas of interest are on the second and third floors. The Gansu Museum is very famous for its cultural and creative products, and the prices are quite high, so I bought one as a souvenir. The most famous exhibits are undoubtedly the Horse Stepping on Flying Swallow and the glass lotus flower tray. I was lucky enough to see them in person, and I was truly impressed by the wisdom and exquisite craftsmanship of the ancients. There aren't many other exhibits. Since visiting the Shaanxi Provincial Museum, I feel like every museum's artifacts are younger. Across from the Gansu Museum is a large shopping mall, Lanzhou Center, which you can also visit.
No.
10
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Dagu Glacier
4.5
/5
2778 reviews
7.2
From £ 19.76
>100 km from downtown
Phone +864000886969-1
Address: Maqiao, Luhua Town, Heishui County, Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5–1 day
Highlights:
Glacier coffee & cultural experience
Rare modern maritime mountain glacier
Saved by 1358 users1825 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Did not really see glacier, but it is 4860m above sea level, not for the faint hearted.
The night before, there had been a heavy snowfall, and the entire forest was covered in a blanket of white. The morning was sunny, and the mountains were still covered in snow – it was breathtaking. You get what you pay for; this cable car is truly amazing, and the view from the summit is stunning.
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