Day 1: Anywhere → or → Lanzhou ★ Lanzhou gathering day
All day
Today, all tourists will come to Lanzhou from all over the country. You can choose the mode of transportation according to your wishes. After arrival, you can rest in the hotel. If you have time, you can also choose to see our mother river, the Yellow River, and go to Zhongshan Bridge, the first bridge over the Yellow River, to see the ancient irrigation tool, the waterwheel, and the representative sculpture of the Yellow River Mother. Of course, there is also the ancient river crossing tool, the sheepskin raft. You can also sit by the Yellow River and leisurely drink a cup of Sanpaotai, or visit the Gansu Museum (closed on Mondays, you need to bring your ID card), or go to the Xiguan Grand Mosque.
Of course, you can't miss the famous Lanzhou beef noodles and Muslim snacks. You can try stuffed rice noodles and sweet fermented rice. Recommended places for Lanzhou beef noodles are Ma Zilu, Ma Youbu, Junle on Yizhichuanzhong Street, and Laziwang at Qilihe Bridge. Please be careful and take precautions during your own activities throughout the day.
Day 2 Lanzhou → Linxia → Labrang Monastery, Shanjue Tribe Pastoralist Experience → Xiahe
All day
After breakfast, we will leave Lanzhou and start our long-awaited spiritual journey. We will drive to Xiahe by highway and pass through Linxia, the Mecca of the East, where we will have lunch.
We will then officially enter Tibet and visit Labrang Monastery, one of the six principal monasteries of the Gelugpa (Yellow Sect) of Tibetan Buddhism. Recite the six-syllable mantra "Om (ong), Ma (ma), Ni (ni), Pa (bei), Mi (mei), Hum (hong)" and experience the beauty of the Tibetan faith. That night, we will stay in Xiahe County.
Afterwards, we headed to Shanjue Tribe to experience the local herdsmen's life. Our guide first led us into the Black Tent Nomadic Museum, where he told us the legendary story of how local herdsmen protect the grasslands. He then taught us how to make yak brooches and took us to play "Da Erqia" (a grassland game and a traditional Tibetan sport that involves flinging stones with a rope made of ox and wool, a very skillful activity). The tourists had a great time experiencing and understanding the mysterious yet simple Tibetan grassland culture.
Check in to Xiahe County that night.
Day 3 Xiahe → Zhagana → Fairy Beach
All day
After breakfast, we'll continue our journey into Gannan, enjoying the sights of Tibetan life on the vast grasslands, including smoke from cooking fires and tents. The blue sky and pastures, the herders and their cattle and sheep, the fine wine and song and dance, the soul and the Buddhist kingdom, the enchanting Gannan grasslands seem like a dreamlike Buddhist paradise.
In the afternoon, we arrived at Zhagana, also known as the "Stone City" and the "Heaven's Palace." Resembling a massive palace or a complete ancient city built from natural rock faces, it was called the birthplace of Adam and Eve by explorer John Locke. It is a true paradise, still a virgin land.
We then took a local bus to experience the specially added Rock Road. This road not only bears witness to the scientific expeditions of botanist Joseph Rock, but also attracts countless travelers with its stunning natural scenery and unique Tibetan culture. (Not the entire Rock Road)
In the evening, we headed to the mysterious fun-filled spot "Fairy Beach" in Zhagana, where the show "Where Are We Going, Dad?" was filmed. We watched the afterglow of the sunset on this beautiful Tibetan village, and saw Tibetan children running on the green grass beach, feeling the tranquility and beauty of this place.
Day 4 Zhagana → Huahu Lake → Ruoergai Grassland → Yellow River Nine Bends First Bend → Tangke
All day
Tourists who love photography can get up early to watch the sunrise at Zhagana, see the mist-shrouded, ancient and rustic pedal houses, and feel the simple folk customs here.
We left Zhagana at the right time and arrived at the beautiful [Huahu Lake] at noon. Huahu Lake got its name because of the flowers blooming in the water. There are many black-necked cranes in the lake.
We then delved into the heart of the Zoige Grassland, the filming location for the film "Return to the Wolf Pack." The film tells the true story of Li Weiyi, a female painter who, while sketching on the Zoige grasslands, rescued a wolf king orphan and named him Green. After a brief period of urban life, she decided to bring Green back to the grasslands and reunite with the wolf pack. Traveling through the film's rarely visited Zoige Grassland, amidst the vast expanse of sky and wilderness, we deeply experienced the author Li Weiyi's words: "Freedom is more important than life; it gives meaning to all our journeys!"
Arrive at the First Bend of the Nine Bends of the Yellow River in the evening. As the sun sets, the entire river valley is bathed in a golden ocean.
After enjoying the sunset over the Yellow River, check in to Tangke.
Day 5 Tangke → Aba → Lianbaoyezhe → Jiuzhi
All day
After breakfast, depart for Lianbaoyezhe (approximately 4,200 meters above sea level). Lianbaoyezhe, meaning "dignified jade peak" in Chinese, is located in the southeastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. It is a renowned sacred mountain in Tibet, ranking eighth among the ten sacred mountains in Tibet and the most sacred mountain in the Amdo region. Its towering peaks symbolize its majestic character, while its glittering lakes are its jewel-like eyes.
Arrive at [Lianbaoyezhe] at noon. Set out from the visitor center and walk along the wooden plank road of the scenic area, admiring the rocks scattered on both sides of the river valley and the towering valleys. It takes half an hour to hike to Zhagarcuo. Most of the promotional photos of the scenic area are from here. Fish swim in the lake, and the surrounding stone peaks pierce the sky like sharp knives. It is magnificent and has the tragic momentum of "a lonely city among ten thousand high mountains". In summer, the lakeside will turn into a sea of flowers. Tourists can have a picnic by the lake.
In the evening, proceed to Jiuzhi County to check in.
Day 6 Jiuzhi → Awancang Wetland → Langmusi (Sichuan Temple) → Namo Grand Canyon
All day
After breakfast, we will depart for Maqu [Awancang Wetland], which was once selected as the first of "China's Five Great Grassland Wetlands" by China National Geographic. We will pass by the Buddhist scriptures and prayer wheels along the way.
Afterwards, we set off for Langmusi. We first visited the Silver-domed Temple [Sichuan Temple] (Gelug Monastery) where a living Buddha is enshrined. After that, we went to [Nammo Grand Canyon] for a hike, where the spiritual essence of the Tibetan mountains and rivers was revealed with every step.
We stayed in Langmusi Town that night. The Tibetan bars here are unique at night and are also a gathering place for many travel enthusiasts.
Day 7 Langmusi (Gansu Temple) → Lanzhou ★ Lanzhou Disbandment Day
All day
After breakfast, we will visit the Golden Summit Temple in Langmusi Town [Gansu Temple] (Saichi Temple). Photography enthusiasts recommend getting up early and heading to the observation deck to capture the sunrise. At sunrise, Langmusi Temple is covered in smoke and morning mist.
It’s time to return to Lanzhou, ending this pleasant journey. I am reluctant to leave and kiss goodbye with tears!
