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Best Things to Do
Top 50 Best Things to Do near Weiyuan [2025]
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Jiuzhaigou National Park
4.7
/5
47424 reviews
9.7
From AU$ 58.96
Based on 4,207 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 6433 users34690 positive reviews
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Jiuzhaigou National Park is an absolute must-visit for nature lovers. Its crystal-clear lakes, multi-colored waterfalls, and lush forests create a breathtaking, almost magical landscape. Walking trails and shuttle buses make it easy to explore, and each viewpoint offers a unique, unforgettable view.The park can get crowded during peak season, but the stunning scenery more than makes up for it. A full day here is highly recommended to truly appreciate its beauty.
The lakes in Jiuzhaigou are truly breathtakingly beautiful, a beauty that reaches the heart. Sunny days are the best, and the view is truly enlightening. A visit to Jiuzhaigou is a must-do in your lifetime. I've heard the scenery changes with each season, so if you can, go there once in each season.
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Huanglong National Scenic Area
4.5
/5
11339 reviews
8.5
From AU$ 35.80
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 2317 users8482 positive reviews
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Atop the mountains of northwest Sichuan, as clouds gently caress the towering peak of Xuebaoding, a giant golden dragon rests quietly amidst the lush forests. This is the Huanglong Scenic Area in Aba Prefecture, a natural wonder known as the "Fairyland on Earth." Here, a poem crafted by the earth over eons, a symphony of mountains and rivers composed with travertine, ice, snow, and forests.
Winding up the Huanglong Valley, it feels like stepping into a dreamland. Over 3,400 colorful pools, like lost gems, cascade in a staggered pattern. The crystal-clear waters, rich in minerals and reflecting sunlight, create vibrant hues of yellow, green, blue, and purple depending on the angle. The Five-Color Pools are the heart of this wonderland—the largest and highest-altitude open-air travertine pool complex in the world. The jade-like banks and mirror-like ripples reflect the blue sky, white clouds, and lush mountain shadows, like a flowing oil painting. Golden sand blankets the ground, and the rapids flow like molten gold. Waterfalls shimmer, their spray shimmering like rosy clouds in the setting sun, their thunderous roar audible for miles. Zaga Waterfall, the world's tallest cascading travertine waterfall, cascades down from a height of a hundred meters, weaving through pristine forests with a breathtaking aura.
The magnificence of this sacred land is more than a visual feast. Huanglong lies at the intersection of three major geological tectonic units, boasting breathtaking landscapes. Snow-capped peaks tower over 5,000 meters, their horns like swords and ridges like knives, deep canyons, and steep cliffs. Xuebaoding, perpetually covered with snow, is home to three modern glaciers, making it the easternmost preserved area of modern glaciers in China. Relics of ancient glaciers dot the mountains, and glacial lakes, like scattered pearls, tell of the Earth's ancient breath. This area is a treasure trove for geologists and a breathtaking testament to the power of nature.
And within this magnificent landscape, life quietly blossoms. With a forest coverage rate of 88.9%, the pristine forests, brimming with swaying sunlight, provide shelter for countless creatures. Giant pandas graze leisurely in the bamboo forests, Sichuan golden snub-nosed monkeys nimbly leap from treetop to treetop, and the rare Chinese Cypripedium sphenanthera quietly blooms in the valleys. Huanglong is more than just a scenic spot; it is an ark of life, safeguarding the fragile and precious balance of the plateau's ecology.
Huanglong's beauty is a blend of natural wonder and the warmth of human endurance. The Tibetan Buddhist Huanglong Middle Temple and the Taoist Huanglong Back Temple nestle in the mountains, their incense curling as they tell the millennia-long story of the fusion of Tibetan and Han cultures. The annual Huanglong Temple Fair, with its Guozhuang dances, resounding folk songs, and melodious Qiang flutes, brings together the essence of multi-ethnic folk customs, creating a vibrant and lively atmosphere. The Red Army Long March Monument stands majestically at the foot of Yuanbao Mountain. Deng Xiaoping's inscription, "Red Army Long March Monument," gleams brightly, commemorating that immortal red legend and adding a solemnity and reverence to this landscape.
As the morning light shimmers, the colorful pond shimmers with golden light; as night falls, the stars cast a shadow over the snow-capped peaks. You'll understand why Huanglong has been designated a World Heritage Site and inscribed on the IUCN Green List. It is not only a natural wonder, but also a model of harmonious coexistence between man and nature.
Huanglong is the tears of the earth, the crystallization of time, and the deepest yearning for purity and grandeur in every traveler's heart. Come, enter this paradise on earth, and let your soul be embraced by nature.
The room is spacious and bright, the large bed is clean and tidy, the owner is warm and hospitable, and free shuttle to scenic spots adds a lot of convenience to the journey. If I travel, I will choose to stay again.
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Qinghai Tibetan Culture Museum
4.8
/5
7295 reviews
8.3
From %1$s
Based on 49 reviews
Biological Park Area | >100 km from downtown
Phone +8609715317881
Address: 36 Jing'er Rd, Chengbei Qu, Xining Shi, Qinghai Sheng, China, 810016
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-4 hours
Highlights:
Tibetan music shows daily until 8/15
Open year-round, closed 3 days
Saved by 204 users6742 positive reviews
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The exhibits are rich and varied, introducing various information and exhibits about the Tibetan ethnic costumes, ethnic writing, and ethnic architecture. The 600-meter-high thangka painting on the top floor is very shocking.
The biggest surprise of this trip was checking in at the [Tibetan Culture Museum]! I highly recommend it to anyone interested in Tibetan culture.
The most stunning sight was the 618-meter-long thangka painting, "A Grand View of Chinese Tibetan Cultural Art," which holds a Guinness World Record. Hundreds of top artists spent 27 years painstakingly creating it using precious pigments like gold dust, jade, and coral. This masterpiece captures Tibetan culture, from creation myths to Tibetan medicine, astronomy, calendars, and folk customs. The vibrant colors and meticulous brushwork create a breathtaking scene, each a work of art. I stood there for ages, unable to move.
The museum's other exhibition halls also each have their own unique charms. The Tibetan Architecture Exhibition Hall allows you to appreciate the wisdom behind structures like the Potala Palace. The Tibetan Costume Exhibition Hall showcases the interplay of gold, silver, and jewelry with felt embroidery, creating a breathtaking aesthetic experience. Tibetan costumes from different regions are unique, with some costing over a million yuan. The Carpet Art Exhibition Hall showcases the warmth of life on the plateau. The Silk Road and Tibetan Plateau Exhibition Hall reveals the epic fusion of civilizations, allowing you to fully unlock the secrets of the snowy land.
The immersive experience here is also exceptional, incorporating numerous modern technologies. For example, a 270-degree surround-screen theater screens the film "The Formation of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau" and a "phantom imaging" display depicting a life-size statue of Sakyamuni at the age of 12, creating a sense of time travel. Furthermore, the Cultural and Creative Area offers a variety of fascinating cultural and creative products, including Tibetan medicine sachets, barley coffee, and thangka-inspired notebooks. The Tibetan restaurant on the second floor also offers delicacies like yak beef and ginseng fruit yogurt, allowing you to experience Tibetan culture on your culinary palate.
The museum's guided tours are also very thoughtful. There are official paid guided tours, and you can also rent audio guides. I highly recommend listening to the guides, as otherwise, it's difficult to fully appreciate the cultural significance. The only caveat is that some areas prohibit photography, so please adhere to the rules. Overall, this Tibetan Cultural Museum is a true cultural treasure. A single visit will allow you to experience the vastness and depth of Tibetan culture. It's definitely worth the price of admission, so don't miss it!
No.
4
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Kumbum Monastery
4.6
/5
16886 reviews
8.3
From AU$ 14.74
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 234 users9509 positive reviews
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This temple is well worth visiting, rich in cultural heritage and history. Without a guide, I wouldn't be able to fully understand it. The guides' explanations were substandard, and I hope the Qinghai Tourism Bureau can further standardize this for such a historic attraction. Also, guides are expensive. However, I was fortunate to have an excellent guide this time, who was attentive and thorough in his explanations. I even received an offering of fruit upon leaving, which was very satisfying.
Ta'er Monastery, also known as Ta'er Temple, was founded in 1377 during the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty. It is named after the large silver pagoda built within the Great Golden Tile Temple in memory of Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Yellow Sect. In Tibetan, it is called "Gunbenxianbalin," meaning "Maitreya Temple of 100,000 Lion's Roaring Buddha Statues." Located in Lushar Town, Huangzhong County, 25 kilometers southwest of Xining City, Qinghai Province, it is a national 5A-level tourist attraction. Key Features of Ta'er Monastery: Architectural Art: Ta'er Monastery's architecture combines the styles of Han Dynasty palaces with Tibetan flat-roofed roofs. Its unique architecture integrates the Han-style three-eaved hip-and-gable roof with the Tibetan style of ingeniously constructed hemp walls under the eaves, inlaid with the Vajra Kalachakra mantra and bronze mirrors, and a brick-lined ground floor. Religious Culture: As a key monastery of the Gelugpa (Yellow Sect) of Tibetan Buddhism, Ta'er Monastery is the birthplace of Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelugpa sect, and holds a pivotal position in Tibetan Buddhism. Three Art Wonders: The butter sculptures, murals and pile embroidery of Ta’er Monastery are known as the “Three Art Wonders of Ta’er Monastery”, with unique artistic style and high ornamental value.
No.
5
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Shapotou Scenic Area
4.8
/5
28088 reviews
8.2
From AU$ 12.64
Based on 153 reviews
Shapotou tourist attraction | >100 km from downtown
Phone +864001551766
Address: Shapotou, Zhongwei, Ningxia, China
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5-1 day
Highlights:
Yellow River heritage & modern entertainment
Experience the charm of the Huanghe by rafting on a sheepskin raft
Saved by 618 users21221 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The experience was quite good during the off-season. We went to the desert area in the morning, which was relatively cool, and finished the three activities quickly. We went to the Yellow River area around 11 o'clock, and the route was also very smooth. I suggest that the content could be enriched, otherwise it would be worth the price.
Shapotou offers stunning scenery, comprehensive facilities, and a wide selection of package tickets, making it a truly enjoyable experience. I especially want to praise our guide, Xiao Zhou, for his proactive, enthusiastic, and attentive service, allowing us to enjoy the beautiful scenery and the fun throughout. It was a truly wonderful trip!
No.
6
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Lanzhou Danxia Geological Park
4.5
/5
2188 reviews
8.1
From AU$ 16.85
>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 217 users1890 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The experience was truly amazing! Each attraction was unique, the natural scenery was picturesque, and the cultural landscapes were rich in historical charm. They also did a great job managing the flow of people; I barely had to wait in line, so I was able to fully enjoy the experience.
There is a 4A scenic spot on the way to the airport. You should spend more time to visit it. There are two directions of sightseeing. Due to time constraints, I only visited Danding Lansheng and went to the highest point to overlook the Danxia landform.
No.
7
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Zha Ga Na
4.2
/5
3087 reviews
7.8
From AU$ 16.85
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 119 users2256 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Zhagana (meaning "stone box" in Tibetan), a "stone city wonderland" forgotten by time, has a different kind of beauty when you stray into Zhagana on a rainy day. How wonderful is it that it has been rated as a must-see secret place by National Geographic?
A Fantastic Journey Through Seas of Clouds and Snow-Capped Mountains
Imagine driving along a breathtakingly beautiful road known as the "Locke Road," where seas of clouds billow and snow-capped mountains are reflected in the emerald waters. Every moment feels like a stroll through a fairytale. This is the dreamlike journey to Zhagana, a self-driving feast that will delight the soul.
Departing from the city, choose a comfortable SUV or off-road vehicle and embark on a heart-pounding journey along winding mountain roads. The Locke Road, connecting Zhangye in Gansu Province and Zhagana in Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, is a journey full of challenges and surprises. Along the way, peaks overlap, shrouded in mist, creating a fairyland-like experience. Especially at dawn or dusk, the sea of clouds cascades down like a waterfall, and the peaks loom in the distance, leaving you breathless.
Arriving in Zhagana, this Tibetan village known as a "paradise on earth," resembles a flowing landscape painting. Steep cliffs, emerald green terraced fields, and the carved wooden windows of Tibetan dwellings—each exude a rich sense of ethnic charm. The sky here is always so clear, the stars so bright you can almost touch the twinkling Milky Way. From the summit, overlooking the surrounding mountains, shrouded in mist, it feels like a fairyland.
In Zhagana, you can hike through the country roads and experience the simplicity and tranquility of Tibetan countryside. Don't forget to savor authentic Tibetan cuisine: butter tea, barley noodles, and yak jerky—each bite imbued with a rich Tibetan flavor. You can also chat with local Tibetan friends, learn about their lives, and experience their pure warmth.
At night, the starry sky of Zhagana is particularly captivating. Lying in your tent, gazing up at the stars, you seem to hear the whispers of the universe. In the morning, greeted by the first rays of sunlight, ascend to the summit to witness the sunrise—the magnificent view will surely fill your heart with awe.
The Rock Road is more than just a scenic drive; it's a spiritual journey. Whether it's the sea of clouds and snow-capped mountains along the way or the innocent smiles of the Tibetan villagers, these scenes will become cherished memories. Bring your camera, backpack, and curiosity, and embark on this magical Sky Road. Let's find your own sense of tranquility and emotion in the dreamlike world of Zhagana.
Are you ready? Let's set out together to pursue the pure sky above the sea of clouds!
No.
8
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Xining Wildlife Park
4.5
/5
3049 reviews
7.7
From AU$ 6.32
Based on 8 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
2045 positive reviews10K views in last month
Verified user reviews
I like it. Although the zoo itself is very large, it is worth the 30 yuan. I saw many cute little animals. It’s a pity that I didn’t see the desert cat and the manul. I will come again next time I have the chance.
This zoo is highly recommended. The animals are well-cared for and lively, and you can observe most of the large animals up close. I especially loved the snow leopards. I even saw a black bear roaring as it ran.
In the summer, it's recommended to enter the zoo later.
No.
9
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Romantic Show of Jiuzhai
4.3
/5
2043 reviews
7.4
From AU$ 56.85
Based on 26 reviews
Jiuzhaigou's Eternal Love | >100 km from downtown
Phone +8608377767660
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 220 users858 positive reviews
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The entrance to the Eternal Love Theater is "Se Ma Goddess Square," according to Baidu.
Se Ma, a goddess from heaven, envied the beauty and love of the mortal world. She and her sisters secretly descended upon the human world, where they met the brave and valiant Da Ge and other Tibetan youths. The young men and women fell in love, their attraction irresistible, and the fairies refused to return to heaven. Furious, the heavens erupted with thunder and lightning, transforming Se Ma and Da Ge into two snow-capped mountains, the fairies into a lake, and the Tibetan youths into nine Tibetan villages. From then on, the snow-capped mountains, the lake, and the Tibetan villages remained inseparable, forever protecting the magical land of Jiuzhaigou.
Here, you can see two Tibetan watchtowers connected by the "Tongxin Bridge." The nearby "Wishing Corridor" is filled with amulets, filled with wishes from visitors.
#JiuzhaiEternalLove
This haunted house in the scenic area is perfect for those who are afraid of ghosts! Since there are no real people suddenly jumping out to scare you, even the faint of heart can enjoy the adventure. The terrifying scenes triggered by the mechanical mechanism have a rhythmic feel, from slight unusual noises to sudden loud bangs. The three-dimensional surround sound of eerie sounds comes from all directions, and everyone huddles together in fear and excitement. This atmosphere is completely immersed in it.
No.
10
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Gansu Provincial Museum
4.6
/5
3796 reviews
7.4
Based on 133 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 113 users2439 positive reviews
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After a decade, returning to the Gansu Provincial Museum's exhibition halls, the familiar weight of history was tinged with a refreshing surprise. The excitement of reunion intensified as I witnessed the transformation of the exhibition layout and exhibits.
The Gansu Provincial Museum's exhibition layout is most clearly "scientific," far more than a simple display of artifacts. Focusing on "Yellow River Culture," it weaves together prehistoric civilization, Silk Road trade, and the intermingling of multiple ethnic groups into a clear thread. From the juxtaposition of painted pottery and agricultural tools from the Dadiwan site, you can directly witness the transition from slash-and-burn agriculture to pottery cooking. In the Silk Road exhibition hall, Hu merchant figurines unearthed from the Hexi Corridor, Persian silver coins, and Central Plains silk are brought together in a single narrative space, instantly capturing the vibrant commercial scene of "camel bells ringing across Europe and Asia." Even more thoughtfully, each exhibition area is accompanied by lightweight text explanations and multimedia videos, avoiding academic obscurity while also preventing history from being reduced to "picture-based object identification." Even children can follow the clues and understand the stories behind the artifacts. If the exhibition layout is the "skeleton," the exhibits are the living, breathing "flesh and blood" of Gansu's museum. Its richness lies in its collection of unique national treasures. Besides the well-known "Horse Stepping on Flying Swallow" (a bronze galloping horse), there's also China's largest "Bronze Chariot and Horse Guard of Honor," featuring 38 bronze horses, one axe cart, and four chariots neatly arranged, as if ready to carry Han Dynasty soldiers on the Silk Road. The "Human Face and Newt Painted Pottery Vase" from the Yangshao culture, with its eerie yet vibrant human face and newt motifs, is a rare relic of the spiritual world of prehistoric ancestors. Furthermore, manuscripts and Tangut Buddhist scriptures unearthed from the Dunhuang Caves quietly speak of Gansu's unique status as a treasure trove of literature. These exhibits are more than just artifacts; they are a condensed, tangible, and comprehensive history of Gansu.
Compared to many museums, Gansu's uniqueness lies in its irreplaceable "regional DNA." Rather than pursuing comprehensiveness, the museum culminates in the quintessential characteristics of the "Upper Yellow River Civilization" and the "Golden Section of the Silk Road." While other museums may exhibit painted pottery, few offer the complete sequence of painted pottery from the Dadiwan, Majiayao, and Qijia cultures, allowing you to clearly see how painted pottery evolved from simplicity to sophistication. While other museums can tell the story of the Silk Road, the museum's exhibits primarily draw from local sites. From the bronze galloping horse from the Leitai Han Tomb to the statues from Bingling Temple, each piece exudes the essence of Gansu's soil, creating a sense of distance. Even more remarkable is its lack of deliberate attempts to create a sense of distance. For example, the "Bronze Galloping Horse" exhibit features multi-angle viewing platforms, allowing you to clearly see the exquisite balance of the horse's feet on the flying swallow. These details, which make national treasures approachable, are precisely what makes the museum so captivating.
Ten years later, the Gansu Provincial Museum has not been confined to the "memories of the old museum," but has brought history to life with more scientific exhibition arrangements, more vibrant exhibits, and a more unique regional expression. Revisiting this place is not only a reunion with the past, but also a dialogue with a Gansu that is both "familiar and fresh," spanning millennia.
It's worth a visit, but it was so crowded I couldn't even see the bronze galloping horse. It was packed inside and outside. It's best not to go during the summer. 😂
Also, there's a shop near the entrance with Green Code and his friends, which is quite interesting and a great place to take photos.
[Scenery] Beautiful
[Fun] Good
[Value] Great
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