Stop only knowing about Gannan; Ganjia Secret Realm is the real jackpot!
Family, I must strongly recommend Ganjia Secret Realm! This is definitely a seriously underrated travel treasure, anyone who goes will be amazed. It’s like a real-life Wizard of Oz, and it really deserves to be popular!
📍Location and Unique Charm: It is located in Ganjia Town, Xiahe County, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province, with an average altitude of about 3,000 meters. Here, grasslands, canyons, ancient cities, and temples blend perfectly. It is one of the "50 Places to Visit Before You Die" endorsed by National Geographic, full of nature’s wonders and profound historical heritage.
🌄Must-visit Attractions:
• Baishi Cliff: A huge gray-white cliff stretching for more than ten kilometers, like a natural Great Wall, super stunning. At sunrise and sunset, sunlight shines on the cliff, sparkling golden, perfect for breathtaking photos. Be sure to visit the cave entrance (remember to find a local guide). Standing at the cave entrance, behind you is the mysterious cave, in front of you the magnificent cliff and grassland, creating an incredible atmosphere; the grassland below the cliff is also a perfect photo spot, running and jumping there captures the feeling of freedom. It also has mysterious legends and is the dojo of Vajra Heruka, adding a sacred aura.
• Octagonal Ancient City: The only well-preserved octagonal ancient city in the country. Climb the city wall to overlook the entire grassland valley, as if traveling back a thousand years. The city’s historical mysteries are many: built in the Han Dynasty? Renovated by Tuyuhun? Used by Western Xia? Waiting for you to explore. Use a wide-angle lens on the city wall to capture the whole city and grassland, the view is spectacular; the alleys inside the city are full of cultural atmosphere; the drone view is amazing, clearly showing the octagonal shape harmonizing with the surrounding scenery.
• Baishi Cliff Temple: A temple embedded in the steep white cliff, with red walls and golden roofs, set against blue sky, white clouds, and gray-white cliffs, sacred and awe-inspiring. When visiting, be sure to keep quiet and respectful, walk clockwise around the temple to pray. Even from afar, you can feel its solemnity.
• Ganjia Grassland: Drive through the boundless grassland, with herds of cattle and sheep leisurely grazing, clouds seeming within reach. Find a patch of grass to lie down and daydream, feeling the breeze, extremely pleasant. Great for road trip photos, interacting with cattle and sheep, or having a picnic on the grassland, the atmosphere is instantly elevated.
💡Travel Tips:
• Location: Ganjia Town, Xiahe County, Gannan Prefecture, Gansu Province, about 1.5 hours by car from Xiahe County town.
• Transportation: Strongly recommend self-driving or chartering a car. Navigate to "Baishi Cliff Secret Realm" or "Octagonal Ancient City." Some roads are unpaved, so an SUV is more suitable.
• Tickets: Octagonal Ancient City + Baishi Cliff Canyon viewing platform are mostly free (the viewing platform may charge a small environmental fee, about 10-20 RMB); Baishi Cliff cave requires a local guide, additional fee (about 100-200 RMB per group).
• Time Arrangement: Allow at least half a day. Recommended route: depart from Xiahe → Octagonal Ancient City (1.5 hours) → Baishi Cliff Temple distant view + canyon viewing platform (1.5 hours) → enjoy riding freely on Ganjia Grassland.
• Accommodation: Many options in Xiahe County town; Nuordan Camp offers a good experience but is more expensive; regular hotels are economical; if you want to shoot the starry sky, you can stay in a guesthouse in Ganjia Town, but conditions are basic.
• Food: You can eat in Ganjia Town or return to Xiahe. Remember to bring enough snacks and water as there are few supply points along the way.
• Clothing: Plateau weather is changeable; a windbreaker or shell jacket is essential. Even in summer, mornings and evenings are cool. Don’t forget a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and comfortable hiking shoes.
• Others: Some areas have weak or no signal, download offline maps in advance; respect local customs and religious beliefs, don’t trample prayer flags or disturb monks; protect the environment by taking your trash with you; in high-altitude areas, move slowly and bring glucose or oxygen bottles just in case; road conditions are complex, novice drivers should drive cautiously, traveling with companions is safer.
Ganjia Secret Realm is truly a place you won’t want to leave once you visit! It has no overdeveloped commercial atmosphere, preserving the most original beauty. Friends, if you have the chance, you must come here and experience its unique charm!
Post by isold_7082 | Jul 27, 2025
