Sangke Grassland Travel Guide
How to Experience the Real Grassland, Not the Tourist Version
If you’re planning a trip to Gannan, you’ll probably ask the same questions I did:
-
Sangke Grassland or Meiren Grassland—which is better?
-
Does Sangke Grassland require a ticket?
-
How do you actually explore it by car without getting stuck in tourist crowds?
I spent 15 days driving the full Gannan loop, and Sangke Grassland was one of the places I returned to more than once. The short answer is this:
👉 Sangke Grassland is beautiful—but most people visit the wrong part of it.
Songke Grassland
What Is Sangke Grassland?
Sangke Grassland is located in Xiahe County, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, only 11 km from Labrang Monastery—about a 15-minute drive. It sits directly on the route from Labrang toward Zagana or Langmusi, making it almost impossible to miss.
-
Area: ~70 square kilometers
-
Type: Alpine meadow grassland
-
Average altitude: ~3,000 meters
-
Ticket: Free
This is not a fenced scenic area. It’s an active pastoral grassland still used by local herders.
Does Sangke Grassland Have an Entrance Fee?
👉 No. Sangke Grassland itself is completely free.
However, there are two places many visitors mistakenly go:
❌ Sangke Grassland Visitor Center
Highly commercialized, expensive food, crowded.
❌ Sangke Wetland Park
Average scenery, heavy crowds, difficult parking.
If you only visit these spots, you’ll miss what makes Sangke special.
The Right Way to Explore Sangke Grassland
🚗 Best Self-Drive Route
Set your navigation from “Sangke Wetland Park” to “Gannan Xiahe Airport.”
-
Distance: ~50 km
-
Road conditions: mostly paved
-
You’ll drive straight through the heart of the grassland
After passing the visitor center, keep driving.
When you see small side roads branching off, don’t hesitate—turn in.
After about 2–3 km, the crowds disappear completely. What’s left:
-
Endless green meadows
-
Free-roaming yaks and sheep
-
Vast blue sky
-
Occasional marmots popping up near the road
This is the real Sangke Grassland.
Sangke Grassland vs Meiren Grassland
If you only have time for one, here’s my honest comparison:
-
Convenience: Sangke is directly on the Labrang route
-
Landscape: Sangke has plains, rolling hills, and alpine meadows
-
Freedom: Sangke allows you to stop anywhere
-
Commercial feel: Sangke feels more natural if you avoid the center
👉 For a first-time visit to Gannan, I recommend Sangke Grassland.
Songke Grassland
Advanced Experience: Climb a Hill for a 360° View
If you’re not experiencing strong altitude symptoms, try climbing one of the small hills along the road.
The hill I climbed reached around 3,600 meters. It’s not technical, just slow and steady.
From the top, you’ll see:
-
The grassland stretching like a green ocean
-
Pastures, villages, and the highway below
-
Strong wind, complete silence
It’s one of my strongest memories of Sangke.
Food: Prepare Before Entering the Grassland
Deep inside Sangke Grassland, there are almost no supply points.
I usually prepare:
-
Milk
-
Flatbread
-
Dried beef
-
Plenty of water
If you want to explore deeper, bring your own food.
Horse Riding: Price Reference
Horse riding is available and negotiable:
-
Short ride on flat grassland: 30–50 RMB
-
Riding up a hill: around 100 RMB
-
Group discounts are possible—we negotiated 40 RMB per person
Always confirm the route and time before paying.
Songke Grassland
Stay Overnight—It’s Worth It
Accommodation Options
1️⃣ Local herder guesthouses
-
200–500 RMB per night
-
Simple, warm, authentic
2️⃣ Free camping area near the visitor center
-
I slept in my car
-
Quiet and safe
3️⃣ Herders’ campsites
-
About 70 RMB per vehicle per night
-
Suitable for tents
👉 No matter how you stay, spend at least one night on the grassland.
At night, it’s incredibly quiet. Just wind and stars.
If you’re traveling with kids, this alone is unforgettable.
Must-Visit Stops Along the Way
🌊 Gahai Lake (A Quieter Alternative to Flower Lake)
-
Ticket: 50 RMB (students half price)
-
Best time: 9:00–11:00
-
Tip: We entered from a side gate and drove directly inside, avoiding shuttle buses
🏯 Labrang Monastery
-
Ticket: 40 RMB
-
Hours: 8:00–18:00
-
Notes:
-
Walk clockwise around prayer wheels
-
No hats or sunglasses inside halls
-
Sun protection is essential on clear days
-
Songke Grassland
Where to Stay After Sangke
-
Ganjia Secret Land area: great value guesthouses
-
Near Bajiao Ancient City: convenient for next-day routes
-
Price range: 200–400 RMB
-
On clear nights, the Milky Way is visible to the naked eye
Photography Spots
📸 Prayer Flag Hillside (Sunset)
-
Direction: toward Labrang Monastery
-
Shoot one hour before sunset
-
Backlit prayer flags, tents, and grazing yaks create dramatic silhouettes
Practical Tips
-
Sun protection is critical—UV is extremely strong
-
Large temperature difference between day and night
-
Windproof jacket is essential
-
Slow down on grassland roads—watch for livestock
-
Carry some cash; signal can be weak
-
Toilets are rare—plan ahead
Sangke Grassland Is About Freedom
Roll down the window.
The scent of grass and wildflowers fills the car.
Yaks cross the road at their own pace.
In the rearview mirror, Labrang’s golden roofs fade away.
Ahead lies an open landscape with no fences and no rush.
Sangke Grassland isn’t about ticking boxes.
It’s about slowing down—and letting the land do the rest.
