Day 1: Anywhere → or → Lanzhou ★Gathering day
All day
Today, tourists will arrive in Lanzhou from all over the country. You can choose your preferred method of transportation. Upon arrival, you can relax at your hotel or explore the Yellow River, our mother river, to see the ancient waterwheels used for irrigation, and the iconic statue of the Yellow River Mother, representing the nurturing of the Chinese nation. Cross Zhongshan Bridge, the iron-framed structure of the Yellow River's main stream, and visit the Qinqiang Opera Museum, which embodies the resounding Qinqiang opera. Also, visit the ancient sheepskin rafts used for river crossings. You can also relax by the Yellow River with a cup of Sanpaotai tea, or ascend Baita Mountain for a panoramic view of Lanzhou. You can also visit the world-renowned Gansu Museum, one of the top ten, to see the "Bronze Galloping Horse" (closed on Mondays; ID required), or visit the Xiguan Grand Mosque. Please be aware of safety during your own activities throughout the day.
[Transportation Tips] How to get from Lanzhou Zhongchuan Airport to Lanzhou Station:
1. Airport bus: 30 yuan/person, airport carpool: about 50 yuan/person
2. Airport taxi: Metered fare is around 200 yuan
3. Intercity Line: First-class seat 26 yuan, second-class seat 21.5 yuan (recommended)
【Food Guide】
1. Dazhong Lane, Zhangye Road: (Open both day and night) Ma Zilu Beef Noodles, Maye Fried Noodles, Pingliang Mutton Soup Buns, Hu's Steamed Buns, Ru Ji BBQ, Du Ji Desserts, as well as Sichuan Restaurant Yaomei Restaurant, Xiangmanlou and other delicious restaurants!
2. Zhengning Road Night Market: (Opening hours 19:00-24:00) Lao Ma milk and egg fermented glutinous rice, stuffed skin, grilled Yellow River carp, spinach noodles, gray beans, sweet embryo, lamb intestine noodles, Zhizi Ma special barbecue, Jiayuguan barbecue, lamb offal, lamb neck, lamb soup steamed bun!
Day 2 Lanzhou → Two Rivers Confluence → Liujiaxia Reservoir → Bingling Temple Grottoes → Eight Lanes and Thirteen Alleys → Linxia
·morning
After breakfast, we set out to start our exploration of the secrets of Gannan.
After about two hours' drive, we arrived at the confluence of the Yellow River and the Tao River. The Tao River is an important tributary of the upper Yellow River. When it flows through the Longxi Loess Plateau, it carries a large amount of sediment and is relatively turbid. When it flows into the Liujiaxia Reservoir of the Yellow River in Yongjing County, Gansu Province, it contrasts sharply with the clear water of the Yellow River in the reservoir area, forming a magical landscape of "half of the river is clear water and half of the river is muddy".
Then we traveled along Liujiaxia in the upper reaches of the Yellow River. Liujiaxia Reservoir is located in the plateau canyon and is known as the "Pearl of the Plateau". The scenery is very spectacular.
·afternoon
In the afternoon, take a speedboat to the Bingling Temple Grottoes. Built in the first year of Jianhong in the Western Qin Dynasty (420 AD), the Bingling Temple Grottoes boast a history of over 1,600 years. Nestled on a 2-kilometer-long, steep red sandstone cliff, the grottoes are lined with shrines and treacherous plank roads. The Bingling Temple Grottoes are divided into three sections: the Upper Temple, the Donggou, and the Lower Temple. The Lower Temple is particularly spectacular, with its relief pagodas and Tantric murals rivaling those of the Mogao and Maijishan Grottoes.
After visiting Bingling Temple, we will return by speedboat and drive to Linxia's Eight Lanes and Thirteen Alleys. Eight Lanes and Thirteen Alleys is an ancient district with ethnic customs in Linxia. From the Tang Dynasty to the present, eight mosques formed eight religious quarters and thirteen streets and alleys, hence the name "Eight Lanes and Thirteen Alleys."
We stayed in Linxia that night and were free to explore the local food. The local hand-pulled lamb is highly recommended!
Day 3 Linxia → Labrang Monastery → Gangga Secret Realm (Bajiao Ancient City - Baishiya Grand Canyon Light Hiking) → Xiahe
·morning
After breakfast, we will depart for Xiahe and visit Labrang Monastery, one of the six main monasteries of the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. We will walk along the prayer corridor, push the prayer wheel, and recite the six-syllable mantra "Om, Ma, Ni, Ba, Mei, Hong" to feel the beauty of the Tibetan believers' faith.
·afternoon
We will have lunch in Xiahe County at noon and depart for Gangjia Secret Realm in the afternoon. As a new tourist destination in Gannan, few tourists have arrived yet. The entire Gangjia Secret Realm has an altitude difference of 1,300 meters from north to south. Its unique geological structure contains a variety of geological resources such as cliffs, grasslands, plateau lakes, stone forests, canyons, prehistoric caves, and rivers.
Climb up to the observation deck and overlook the entire Bajiao Ancient City. Bajiao Ancient City was built in the Han Dynasty. It was once an important transportation center and military fortress in Qinghai and Gansu. Therefore, the design of the ancient city broke away from the limitations of round or square and formed its own style, which made it easy to defend and difficult to attack.
At the foot of the Baishiya Cliff on the sacred mountain, there is a temple built against the cliff, hence the name "Baishiya Temple".
Hike into the deep Baishiya Grand Canyon, explore the wonders of the Baishiya Cave, and climb up to the Sunset Observation Deck in the afterglow of the setting sun. The entire Baishiya and Gangga Grassland are dyed golden. How can such a peerless beauty not make people feel relaxed and at ease?
After every tourist has had their fun, we will drive to Xiahe County to check in.
Day 4: Xiahe → Sangke Grassland → Guomang Wetland → Gahai Lake → Gelug Monastery (Nammo Grand Canyon Light Hike) → Langmusi Zhaqiongcang Ecological and Cultural Center
·morning
After breakfast, we will continue southwards and go deeper into Jiuse Gannan.
Passing by Sangke Grassland and Guomang Wetland, we climbed to the observation deck to appreciate the grassland and wetland scenery.
Then we stopped at Gahai Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Gannan, and an important wetland in the eastern part of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Due to its lush water and grass, many rare birds migrating from the south to the north settle and breed here. Black-necked cranes, grey cranes, swans and other rare birds are scattered all over the grassy beaches beside the lake.
·afternoon
In the afternoon, we arrived at Langmusi Town, located at the border of Gansu and Sichuan, bisected by the Bailong River. The northern part of Langmusi belongs to Gansu, while the southern part belongs to Sichuan. Today, we'll first visit Gelug Monastery, also known as "Sichuan Monastery" because of its location in Sichuan. This is the most influential Gelugpa monastery in Aba Prefecture, Sichuan. The mortal remains of the Fifth Gelug Living Buddha are housed in the main hall. Afterwards, we'll hike through the Namo Grand Canyon, where the breathtaking beauty of Tibetan landscapes is revealed with every step.
In the evening, we arrived at the Zhaqiongcang Ecological and Cultural Center in Langmusi, where we met with Tibetan friends and visited the local museum. They are dedicated to grassland ecological conservation and management practices and the dissemination of grassland ecological culture. Through their stories, we gained a deeper understanding of how Tibetans view and manage the relationship between man and nature. I believe this immersive and in-depth experience will become an unforgettable memory of our Gannan self-guided tour.
Day 5 Langmusi Town → Langmusi Temple → Ruoergai Flower Lake → Zhagana
·morning
After breakfast, visit the Ando Dacang Langmusaichi Temple (Gansu Temple), a golden-domed monastery in Gansu Province. Photography enthusiasts recommend waking up early to capture the sunrise from the observation deck, where smoke curls from the Langmusi Temple and morning mist fills the air. About 1.5 km from the Saichi Temple lies a local sky burial platform. You can hike there during your free time, but be sure to respect local customs.
At noon, we arrived at the Ruoergai Flower Lake on the Ruoergai grassland. The lake got its name from the flowers blooming in the water. There are many black-necked cranes in the lake.
·afternoon
After finishing the trip to Ruoergai Grassland, we arrived at today's destination [Zhagana]. Zhagana is also known as the "Stone City". It is like a huge palace on a grand scale. It is a real paradise. Let yourself go!
We stayed at the Zhagana B&B at night. The air in Zhagana was fresh and it was far away from light pollution. We could lie on the bed leisurely and see the starry sky through the window.
Day 6: Zhagana (Dari Viewing Platform - Fairy Beach Light Hike) → Rock Road → Niba Village → Zhuoni County
All day
In the early morning, we drove to the Dari Viewing Platform, which is the Zhagana Sunrise Viewing Platform, to appreciate and photograph the Zhagana scenery in the early morning.
After taking photos of the sunrise and having breakfast, we started our light hiking trip to Zhagana Fairy Beach, watching the morning light after sunrise shining on this beautiful Tibetan village, watching Tibetan children running on the green grass beach, and feeling the unique tranquility and beauty here.
Then we drove back to Locke Road and crossed Guanggai Mountain, enjoying the stunning and romantic scenery along the way.
After crossing mountains and ridges, we arrived at Niba Village, a "century-old Tibetan village." This is a semi-agricultural and semi-pastoral Tibetan village that still retains its original ecological lifestyle and production methods. Rows of houses are built on the mountainside, staggered and orderly, and the clear Cheba River flows through the village at the foot of the mountain.
Then we followed the Tao River all the way to Zhuoni and stayed in Zhuoni County that night.
Day 7 Zhuoni → Chanding Temple → Kangle County → Lintao County → Lanzhou ★ Disbandment Day
All day
After breakfast, we will visit the famous local temple, Chanding Temple. As an ancient Buddhist temple in the Anduo region, Chanding Temple has a history of more than 400 years longer than that of Labrang Monastery in Xiahe. Before the establishment of Labrang Monastery, Chanding Temple occupied a dominant position in religion and culture in the Gannan Tibetan area.
Then it goes north along the Tao River. The Tao River originates in the southeastern part of Qinghai and flows into the Liujiaxia Reservoir of the Yellow River. It is the largest first-level tributary on the right bank of the upper reaches of the Yellow River.
After lunch in Kangle or Lintao, we'll return to Lanzhou by expressway, marking the end of our delightful journey! A tearful farewell!
