Gannan lies in southern Gansu Province. It has been honored as one of the world’s 50 outdoor paradises for freedom by Vision and Adventure, and one of the 50 must-visit places in a lifetime by Chinese National Geography and Fashion Travel. With an average altitude of about 2,900 meters, it rarely brings severe altitude sickness compared with Tibet. It has diverse landscapes including grasslands, temples, stone mountains and wetlands. Selected by China Dragon Travel based on years of experience, the following 10 spots are all worth visiting. We start with one of the most important temples of Tibetan Buddhism.
Labrang Monastery: The Longest Prayer Wheel Corridor in the World
Labrang Monastery is located in Xiahe County, one of the six major monasteries of the Gelug Sect of Tibetan Buddhism, known as the “World Tibetan Academy of Higher Learning”. The monastery covers an area of 860,000 square meters, with more than 90 halls and over 10,000 monk quarters, and more than 4,000 monks at its peak.
- Altitude: about 3,200 meters
- Opening hours: 08:00-18:00 in summer; 09:15-16:30 in winter
- Ticket: CNY 40; Gongtang Pagoda: CNY 20
- Prayer wheel corridor: about 3.5 kilometers long, consisting of more than 2,000 prayer wheels
The prayer wheel corridor surrounding the monastery is the longest in the world. Following local residents to spin prayer wheels brings a peaceful experience. Gongtang Pagoda is the tallest building in the monastery, and you can overlook the panoramic view of Xiahe County from the top. Do not step on the thresholds when entering the halls, and photography is prohibited inside the halls. It is recommended to set aside at least two to three hours for the visit. Arriving before 8:00 a.m. is quieter if you want to avoid crowds.
Night View of Labrang Monastery in Gannan
Zhagana: A Fairy Village in a Stone Box
Zhagana is located in Diebu County, which means “stone box”in Tibetan. It was rated as “one of China’s top 10 lesser-known mountains”by Chinese National Geography in 2009, and selected as “Best Tourism Villages”by the UN World Tourism Organization in 2023.
- Altitude: 2,600-4,000 meters, average 2,800-3,300 meters
- Open all day; ticket: about CNY 80 (including insurance); free for people over 65 years old
- Best season: June to October
- Dari Viewing Platform is suitable for shooting sunrise (arrive before 5:30 a.m.); Fairy Beach is an alpine meadow, perfect for picnics
Zhagana consists of four Tibetan villages. It is recommended to stay one night in the village and watch the sunrise the next morning. The morning mist and light changes seen from Dari Viewing Platform are the most representative scenery of Zhagana.
Langmusi: Two Temples at the Source of Bailong River
Langmusi is a small town, with Bailong River flowing through it. To the north is Saichi Monastery in Gansu Province, and to the south is Gerdi Monastery in Sichuan Province, facing each other across the river.
- Altitude: about 3,480 meters
- Ticket for each monastery: CNY 30; Saichi Monastery in Gansu is free in March
- Opening hours: 08:00-17:00
- Vehicles can drive directly into the scenic area
It is recommended to visit Gerdi Monastery first, then walk to Namo Grand Canyon at the back, which is the source of Bailong River. The round-trip hike in the canyon takes about one hour. Saichi Monastery is built on a hillside, with a great sunset view in the evening. Photography is prohibited inside the halls, and prayer wheels must be spun clockwise. There are local guides at the entrance of the canyon who can lead you deeper into the area.
Ruoergai Huahu Lake: A Blue Pearl on the Grassland
Ruoergai Huahu Lake is located at the junction of Sichuan and Gansu Provinces, about one hour’s drive from Langmusi. It is part of Ruoergai Wetland, known as “the most beautiful wetland in China”.
- Altitude: about 3,500 meters
- Ticket plus sightseeing bus: about CNY 110
- Best season: May to July for full bloom of flowers; June to September for pleasant climate
- A full walk around the wooden plank road takes about 40 minutes
July and August are the best viewing periods for Huahu Lake, with flowers in full bloom and comfortable weather. The weather on the plateau changes quickly, so it is recommended to bring a raincoat. Water birds such as black-necked cranes can be seen on both sides of the plank road, and a telescope is recommended.
First Bend of the Yellow River: A Golden Ribbon at Sunset
Drive for more than one hour from Huahu Lake to reach the First Bend of the Yellow River. The Yellow River flows gently here, forming dozens of curves on the grassland.
- Altitude: 3,500-3,800 meters
- Ticket: CNY 65; sightseeing escalator: CNY 60; combined ticket: CNY 105
- Best viewing time: arrive around 5:00 p.m. in late summer and early autumn; sunset period: 18:00-20:00 (varies by season)
- It is recommended to take the escalator up the mountain, as walking on the plateau consumes a lot of energy
At dusk, the setting sun dyes the river golden, creating a striking visual effect. The wind is strong and the temperature difference is obvious on the top of the mountain, so please bring a coat. The escalator is one-way up, and you need to walk down the steps, which takes about 20 minutes.
Sangke Grassland: A Summer Pasture for Horseback Riding
Sangke Grassland is adjacent to Xiahe County, about ten kilometers away from Labrang Monastery.
- Average altitude: over 3,000 meters
- Horseback riding fee: about dozens of CNY per hour
- There are tent-style Tibetan homestays on the grassland, where you can taste butter tea and tsampa
- Suitable for a quick experience of grassland scenery
You can stay in a grassland tent at night, with excellent stargazing conditions. If you do not want to ride a horse, you can also rent a grassland motorcycle to drive around by yourself.
Milarepa Pagoda: The Legend of the Nine-Story Pagoda
Milarepa Pagoda is located in Hezuo City, the only nine-story pagoda in Tibetan areas enshrining the founders of all sects of Tibetan Buddhism.
- Altitude: about 2,900 meters
- Opening hours: 08:00-18:00
- Ticket: CNY 20
- Walking from the bottom to the top, you can get an overview of the history of Tibetan Buddhism
Hezuo City is the capital of Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, with good accommodation and catering conditions. Many tourists choose to rest here for one night. There is a circle of prayer path outside the pagoda, and you can take a walk around it after visiting the pagoda.
Milarepa Pagoda in Gannan
Zecha Stone Forest: A Hiking Secret in Stone Mountain Canyons
Zecha Stone Forest is located in Luqu County, featuring karst stone forest landforms with diverse rock shapes.
- Altitude: about 3,300 meters
- Open all day; ticket: about CNY 50
- There are hiking trails in the scenic area, running along the stream with stone walls tens of meters high on both sides
- Only one person can pass sideways at the “First Line Sky”
The scenic area has few tourists and a quiet environment. Non-slip shoes are recommended. The whole hike takes about two hours, with gravel on the road, so please watch your step.
Zhuoni Dayugou: A Primeval Forest in a Landscape Gallery
Zhuoni Dayugou is 30 kilometers away from Zhuoni County, a relatively lesser-known attraction.
- Altitude: about 2,500-3,000 meters
- The scenic area is large, and a sightseeing bus is required
- Main attractions: Qibulin Ka, Triple Stone, Moon Gate
- Recommended visiting time: half a day
The ditch is densely forested with clear streams, often called “Little Jiuzhaigou”. It has few tourists and is suitable for travelers seeking a quiet environment. There are no restaurants in the scenic area, so it is recommended to bring your own dry food and drinking water.
Ganjia Grassland and Bajiao Ancient City: A Meeting of History and Grassland
Ganjia Grassland is located in the north of Xiahe County, more primitive than Sangke Grassland. There is an ancient city with eight corners in the grassland, with a cross-shaped city wall and eight corners. It is called “Yongzhong Karl”(meaning “Swastika City”) in Tibetan historical records.
- About 30 kilometers away from Xiahe County, 40 minutes’ drive
- Free visit to Bajiao Ancient City
- Climb to the back mountain viewing platform from the west gate of the ancient city to overlook the panoramic view of the ancient city and Ganjia Grassland
There are still residents living in the ancient city. Standing on the city wall, you can see the grassland stretching to the sky. The road condition to Ganjia Grassland is good, but the signal is weak along the way, so it is recommended to download an offline map in advance.
Practical Tips for Traveling to Gannan
Best Seasons
- Summer (June to August): The grassland is fully green, with temperatures of 15-25℃, perfect for escaping the heat.
- Autumn (September to October): The grassland turns golden, with great photography effects and fewer tourists.
- Winter: Experience the Tibetan New Year and temple religious ceremonies.
Transportation
- By plane: Fly to Lanzhou Zhongchuan Airport, then charter a car or take a bus to Gannan (about 3-4 hours to Xiahe).
- By train: Arrive at Lanzhou Railway Station, transfer to a bus to the South Bus Station, then take a bus to Hezuo City or Xiahe County.
- Self-driving or chartered car: The overall road condition is good, but there are many curves on some mountain roads, so drive carefully. Chartered car services save energy, and drivers are familiar with local road conditions.
Accommodation Options
- Towns such as Xiahe County and Hezuo City: Budget to three-star and four-star hotels are available, priced at CNY 100-600 per night.
- Places like Zhagana and Langmusi: Mostly Tibetan-style homestays, with relatively simple facilities but more local characteristics.
- Book in advance during peak seasons (June to October), as popular accommodation is in short supply.
Altitude Precautions
- Altitude of 2,500-3,500 meters. Avoid strenuous exercise when you first arrive, slow down your pace, and it is not advisable to take a bath on the first two days.
- Bring glucose or chocolate to replenish energy when feeling unwell.
- Sunscreen, hats and sunglasses are essential items. The temperature difference between day and night is large, so prepare a windbreaker or thin down jacket even in summer.
- Take off your hat when entering temples, do not make loud noises, and spin prayer wheels clockwise.
- Ask for permission before taking photos of local people.
Small Reminders Before Traveling to Gannan
The above 10 spots have their own characteristics. Labrang Monastery offers a peaceful religious experience, the morning scenery of Zhagana is impressive, and horseback riding on Sangke Grassland is perfect for relaxation. The introduction to the top 10 attractions in Gannan travel ends here. Travelers are recommended to choose several attractions for in-depth visits according to their own schedules. If you need further assistance with itinerary coordination or chartered car services, you can contact China Dragon Travel, and local guides will help you plan the route according to your needs. The transportation and accommodation conditions in Gannan are improving year by year. Tourists can have a safe and fulfilling trip as long as they make full preparations before departure. Wish you a pleasant and smooth trip to Gannan.
