A complete guide to Gannan tourism, taking you to encounter the pure land on earth

Gannan, rated by National Geographic as one of the "50 Places You Must Visit in Your Lifetime", is like a pure land of Brahma lost in the world. It combines the vastness of the grassland, the mystery of Tibetan Buddhism and the unique folk customs, which is fascinating. The following is a travel guide to Gannan to help you have an unforgettable trip. 1. Best time to travel - June to August: The average temperature in Gannan is 10-20℃, the climate is cool and comfortable, and it is a good place to escape the summer heat. The grassland is covered with green grass, wild flowers, herds of cattle and horses, and the scenery is breathtaking. It is very suitable for family travel and photography enthusiasts. - September to October: Gannan has a unique charm in autumn. The leaves gradually turn yellow and red, and the mountains and fields are colorful, just like an oil painting. The grassland gradually turned golden, contrasting with the blue sky and white clouds, forming a poetic beauty. There are relatively fewer tourists during this period, so you can enjoy your trip more quietly. 2. Transportation Guide - External transportation: - Plane: You can first arrive at Lanzhou Zhongchuan Airport, where there are many flights and a wide range of fare options. You can then take the airport bus or online taxi to Lanzhou city, and then transfer to a shuttle bus to various places in Gannan or choose to charter a car. Some tourists also choose to fly directly to Xiahe Airport, but there are fewer flights and the airfare is relatively high. - Train: Lanzhou Railway Station has many trains, while Lanzhou West Railway Station is the main stop for high-speed trains. You can choose flexibly according to your departure place and time. After arriving in Lanzhou, transfer to transportation to Gannan. - Internal transportation: Gannan's scenic spots are relatively scattered, and there are no direct bus routes between the scenic spots. It is recommended to travel in a small group or charter a car. A small group is affordable and you can make new friends; chartering a car is more flexible and you can stop at any time to enjoy the beautiful scenery. The local driver is familiar with the road conditions and attractions, and can also provide some practical suggestions. 3. Must-visit attractions 1. Labrang Monastery: A national AAAA-level tourist attraction and a key national cultural relic protection site. It is one of the "top ten largest religious monasteries in China" and one of the six main monasteries of the Gelugpa (Yellow Sect) of Tibetan Buddhism in China. It is known as the "World Tibetan Studies Center". Here is the world's longest prayer corridor. You can slowly turn the prayer wheels along the corridor, silently recite scriptures in your heart, and feel the sacredness and solemnity of Tibetan Buddhism. You can also visit temple buildings, admire exquisite murals and thangkas, and gain a deeper understanding of Tibetan Buddhist culture. 2. Zhagana: It is like a natural stone city. When surrounded by clouds and mist, it looks like a fairyland on earth. The original Tibetan villages are preserved here, with houses scattered among the mountains. In the early morning, you can go up to the observation deck and overlook the beautiful scenery of Zhagana illuminated by the first ray of sunshine; during the day, you can hike in the canyon and admire the strange peaks and rocks and dense forests; at night, you can fall asleep in a Tibetan homestay accompanied by the bright starry sky. 3. Langmusi: It is not only a temple, but also a charming town. The Bailong River runs through the town, dividing it into two parts, with the Saichi Monastery in Gansu and the Gelug Monastery in Sichuan on both sides. Here, you can visit temples and feel the religious atmosphere; you can also hike through the Namo Grand Canyon and explore the source of the Bailong River; you can also stroll along the streets of the town, taste local food, and experience the unique folk customs. 4. Ruoergai Flower Lake: A pearl on the Ruoergai grassland and a natural lake. In summer, the lake water is clear and the lakeside is full of colorful flowers, which complement the blue sky and white clouds, green mountains and green grass in the distance, creating a magnificent scene. Walking along the plank road, you feel like you are in a dream world, and you can also watch many migratory birds. 5. Sangke Grassland: It is close to Xiahe County and is a vast grassland. Here you can ride horses and feel the wind whistling in your ears; you can also sit on the grass, enjoy the sunrise and sunset of the grassland, experience the life of Tibetan herdsmen, and taste delicious foods such as roasted whole lamb and butter tea. 6. Milarepa Pavilion: Known as the "Tibetan Studies Museum", the pavilion has nine floors, each of which houses different Buddha statues and scriptures. The murals are dazzling and full of mysterious religious colors. Climbing to the top floor of the Buddhist pavilion and overlooking the scenery of the Hezuo city, your soul seems to be purified. 4. Classic route planning Three-day tour in Gannan - Day 1: Lanzhou - Labrang Monastery - Sangke Grassland - Langmusi - Depart from Lanzhou to Xiahe, visit Labrang Monastery, feel the charm of the world's Tibetan studies center, and rotate the world's longest prayer wheel corridor. - In the afternoon, go to Sangke Grassland to enjoy the grassland scenery and choose to go horseback riding. - Arrive at Langmusi in the evening, stroll around the town and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. - Day 2: Langmusi - Guomang Wetland - Huahu - Zhagana - Get up early to visit the temple buildings of Langmusi, then head to Guomang Wetland, the habitat of black-necked cranes, and enjoy the wetland scenery along the plank road. - In the afternoon, arrive at Ruoergai Flower Lake, stroll along the plank road and enjoy the beautiful lake view. - Arrive at Zhagana in the evening and enjoy the beautiful sunset. - Day 3: Zhagana - Lanzhou - Get up early to watch the sunrise over Zhagana, then stroll around the village to experience the Tibetan customs. - Then return to Lanzhou, ending the pleasant journey. Five-day tour in Gannan - Day 1: Various places - Lanzhou - Gangga Secret Land - Labrang Monastery - Xiahe - After arriving in Lanzhou, head to Gangjia Secret Land to enjoy the grasslands, ancient cities, caves, cliffs and other landscapes, and climb up to the observation deck to overlook the Bajiao Ancient City. - In the afternoon, head to Xiahe and visit Labrang Monastery. - Day 2: Xiahe - Langmusi - The First Bend of the Yellow River - Ruoergai - Depart from Xiahe and visit Langmusi Temple. - In the afternoon, head to the first bend of the Yellow River to enjoy the magnificent sunset view of the Yellow River. - Stay in Ruoergai at night. - Day 3: Ruoergai - Huahu - Zhagana - Diebu - Visit Huahu Lake in the morning. - Then go to Zhagana to experience the beautiful scenery and folk customs here. - Stay in Diebu at night. - Day 4: Diebu - Gahai (viewed from a distance) - Guomang Wetland - Milarepa Buddhist Pavilion - Cooperation - Start from Diebu and see Gahai Lake from afar. - Pass by Guomang Wetland and stop for a while to enjoy the scenery. - Arrive at Hezuo in the afternoon and visit Milarepa Buddhist Temple. - Day 5: Cooperation - Lanzhou - After breakfast, return to Lanzhou, ending your trip to Gannan. You can stroll around Lanzhou and taste local food. 5. Food Recommendations - Fern hemp rice: Mix fern hemp with rice and steam it. It is sweet, soft and nutritious. It is one of the special staple foods in Gannan area. - Yak yogurt: It has a thick texture, sweet and sour taste, and often has a thick layer of milk skin on the surface. It is rich in various nutrients. When eating, you can add sugar or honey according to your personal taste. - Butter tea: A traditional Tibetan drink made from butter and strong tea, it can quench thirst and resist the cold on the plateau. You may not be used to it at first, but you can feel its unique aroma as you savor it slowly. - Stone-cooked mutton: also known as knife and stone, mutton and stones are put into the pot and stewed together. The mutton is tender and juicy, retaining the original flavor. - Clear soup yak hotpot: With yak beef as the main ingredient, the soup base is clear and delicious, paired with a variety of vegetables. You can taste the tender beef and drink the nutritious soup. 6. Accommodation Recommendations Lanzhou: As a distribution center for Gannan tourism, it has a variety of accommodation options, including hotels and B&Bs of various prices and grades. It is recommended to live near Xiguan, Tianshui Road or Donggang, where transportation is convenient and travel is easy. Xiahe: There are many special accommodations to choose from, such as homestays, tent camps, etc., where you can better experience the local customs. Recommended hotels include Jiusheng International, Tianzhu International, Ganga Ecological Camp, Nordan Camp, etc. Langmusi Town: Very close to the Langmusi Scenic Area, convenient for travel. You can choose from Luqu International Hotel, Langmusi Zhongyuan Holiday Hotel, Langmusi Hotel, etc. Zhagana: It is recommended to stay in the scenic area so that you can enjoy the sunrise, sunset and the beautiful scenery shrouded in clouds and mist. If you get up early, you can see the dreamlike scenery, and at night you can also enjoy the Milky Way starry sky. Hezuo City: The center of Gannan Prefecture, with complete supporting facilities, convenient transportation and many accommodation options. VII. Precautions Altitude sickness: The average altitude of Gannan is around 3,000 meters, and some areas are even higher. When you first arrive in Gannan, do not do strenuous exercise and give your body time to adapt. Prepare anti-altitude sickness drugs in advance, such as Rhodiola rosea, and you can also prepare some glucose oral solution to replenish energy in time when you feel unwell. If altitude sickness is severe, seek medical attention immediately. Weather and clothing: The weather in Gannan is changeable, with a large temperature difference between morning and evening. Even in summer, it is recommended to bring thick coats, jackets and other warm clothing to prevent catching a cold. At the same time, prepare rain gear to deal with possible rainfall at any time. Cash and Payment: Although mobile payment can be used in most places, some remote areas may have poor signals or may not support mobile payment. It is recommended to carry some cash with you in case of emergency. Self-driving tips: If you choose to drive yourself, please understand the road conditions in advance. Some sections may be rugged, so drive carefully. At the same time, pay attention to the maintenance and fuel level of the vehicle, refuel in time, and ensure driving safety.