Gannan—A Trip Recap and Why You Should Visit During May Day Holiday!
With the May Day holiday approaching, if you're looking to escape the crowds and discover a place with stunning scenery and fewer tourists, Gannan is definitely the perfect choice. In spring, Gannan's chill fades, the earth awakens, and everywhere is brimming with life and vitality. It's a quiet and healing place, just like a fairyland on earth.
A Carefully Planned Itinerary for the Most Beautiful Gannan Experience
3-Day In-Depth Tour
- D1: Depart from Lanzhou, pass through Linxia, and experience the unique ethnic customs. Arrive at Labrang Monastery, a magnificent Tibetan Buddhist monastery with a unique, extra-long prayer wheel corridor. Spin the prayer wheels, listen to the chanting, and feel the power of faith. Then, head to Sangke Grassland and gallop across the vast expanse, admiring the emerald green grass under the blue sky and white clouds. In the evening, arrive at Guomang Wetland, a habitat for many migratory birds and a place of breathtaking beauty. Finally, arrive at Langmusi, check in to your accommodation in the town, and experience the tranquility of the night.
- D2: After enjoying the sunrise in Langmusi, head to Zoigê Flower Lake, where the lake and sky reflect each other, and the lakeshore is filled with colorful flowers. In the afternoon, travel to Zhagana, a stone city surrounded by mountains, like a paradise, and admire the unique Tibetan villages and magnificent natural scenery.
- D3: Wake up early to experience the morning mist in Zhagana, then visit the Lazikou Memorial Monument to commemorate the revolutionary martyrs. On the way back, visit the Milarepa Buddha Pavilion, a nine-story pavilion with exquisite architecture, housing numerous Buddha statues and Thangkas, and learn about the mysterious Tibetan Buddhist culture.
4-Day Panoramic Tour
- D1: Travel from Lanzhou to Darzong Lake, a clear lake surrounded by mountains, like a pearl inlaid on the earth. Then, explore the Ganjia Secret Realm, where the grasslands stretch endlessly beneath the stone mountains, dotted with sheep like stars, and wildflowers bloom freely, as if you've stepped into a fairy tale. Stay overnight in Xiahe.
- D2: Visit Labrang Monastery in Xiahe and delve into Tibetan Buddhist culture. In the afternoon, head to Sangke Grassland to experience the fun of horseback riding and archery. In the evening, go to Zhagana to admire the unique Tibetan village scenery.
- D3: Depart from Zhagana and head to Zoigê Grassland, enjoying the beautiful scenery along the way. Arrive at Flower Lake, stroll along the boardwalk, and experience the charm of the wetland. Afterward, visit the First Bend of the Yellow River and admire the magnificent meandering landscape of the Yellow River. Rest in Langmusi in the evening.
- D4: Bid farewell to Langmusi early in the morning and pass through Guomang Wetland to admire the wetland scenery. Finally, visit the Milarepa Buddha Pavilion, concluding your pleasant journey, and return to Lanzhou.
5-Day Ultimate Tour
- D1: Depart from Lanzhou, pass through Linxia, and arrive at Labrang Monastery. In the afternoon, head to Sangke Grassland and enjoy the vastness and freedom of the grassland. Stay overnight in Xiahe.
- D2: Depart from Xiahe or Hezuo, go deep into the Gannan grasslands, and experience the magnificence of the grassland. Arrive at the First Bend of the Yellow River in Maqu and admire the unique westward flow of the Yellow River here. Pass the First Bridge of the Yellow River's First Bend, then visit the Awancang Wetland and the Nyama Monastery, experiencing the perfect fusion of nature and religious culture.
- D3: Head to Lianbao Yeze, where strange peaks and rocks stand tall, and the lakes are crystal clear, like a fairyland. Afterward, visit the Wache Tallinn and experience the unique Tibetan Buddhist culture. In the evening, arrive at Zoigê Grassland and admire the sunset. Stay overnight near the First Bend of the Yellow River.
- D4: Wake up early to watch the sunrise at the First Bend of the Yellow River, then head to Zoigê Flower Lake to admire the beautiful scenery of the wetland flower sea. In the afternoon, go to Zhagana to admire the unique scenery of the Tibetan villages and experience the tranquil rural life.
- D5: Enjoy a peaceful morning in Zhagana, then head to Langmusi to experience the unique charm of this town. On the way back, visit the Milarepa Buddha Pavilion, learn about Tibetan Buddhist culture, and finally return to Lanzhou.
Must-See Attractions in Gannan
- Zhagana: With its unique terrain, it resembles a grand palace or a natural castle built of rock walls. Tibetan villages are scattered across the mountains, and when shrouded in clouds and mist, it looks like a fairyland, a paradise for photographers.
- Ganjia Secret Realm: The grasslands beneath the stone mountains are vast and boundless, with wildflowers blooming freely and sheep grazing leisurely. There are also the ruins of the Bajiao Ancient City, with a long history and well-preserved city walls. Standing on the walls, you can almost see the prosperity and vicissitudes of the past.
- Labrang Monastery: One of the six major monasteries of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism, the monastery's architecture is magnificent, and the interior houses giant Buddha statues, exquisite sculptures, and Thangkas. The extra-long prayer wheel corridor is its iconic landscape, where believers devoutly spin the prayer wheels, praying for their families and all beings.
- Langmusi: The Bailong River flows through the town, dividing it into two parts, one in Sichuan and the other in Gansu. It blends the cultures of Tibetan, Han, Hui, and other ethnic groups and is known as "Little Switzerland of the East," tranquil and peaceful.
- The First Bend of the Yellow River in Maqu: The Yellow River changes its eastward flow here and flows westward, forming a unique landscape. At sunset, the golden afterglow sprinkles on the river, shimmering and breathtakingly beautiful.
- Lake Gahai: A shining pearl on the plateau, with clear water and rich wetland ecology around it. Every flower, every blade of grass, every mountain, and every stone here retains its purest natural form, making it a habitat for many rare birds.
- Zecha Stone Forest: A silicon-calcium rock forest formed by crustal uplift, with numerous stone peaks in various shapes, some like sharp swords piercing the sky, others like graceful fairies. Clear streams flow through the mountains, creating a charming landscape.
Local Cuisine
- Hand-Grabbed Mutton: Made with high-quality local Gannan mutton, simmered in clear water to retain the original flavor of the mutton. The meat is tender, fatty but not greasy, and served with pepper salt or garlic sauce, offering a rich flavor and an essential dish on the Gannan dining table.
- Tibetan Momo: Made with barley flour or wheat flour, filled with beef, mutton, radish, etc., and steamed until the outer skin is chewy and the filling is fragrant. It is one of the traditional Tibetan foods, with strong ethnic characteristics.
- Butter Tea: Made with butter, tea leaves, salt, and other ingredients, it has a rich taste and is nutritious. It can replenish energy and resist the cold of the plateau, an indispensable drink in the daily life of Tibetans.
- Yogurt: Gannan yogurt is thick and creamy, with a moderately sweet and sour taste, and a thick layer of milk skin on top. Mix it with sugar or honey, and it melts in your mouth, filled with milky fragrance, a delicious and healthy dessert.
Travel Tips
- Sun Protection and Warm Clothing: Gannan has strong sunlight and intense ultraviolet radiation, so be sure to bring sun protection such as hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen. At the same time, the temperature difference between day and night is large, and even during the May Day holiday, nights can be quite cold, so pack warm clothing such as down jackets and windbreakers.
- Transportation: Gannan's attractions are scattered, and public transportation is not very convenient, so it is recommended to choose a chartered car or carpool. This not only allows you to freely arrange your itinerary but also allows you to stop and admire the scenery along the way, experiencing the charm of Gannan more deeply.
- Communication and Navigation: In some remote areas, the signal may be unstable or even non-existent. Therefore, download offline maps in advance to ensure smooth navigation even without a signal, avoiding getting lost.
- Respect Local Customs: Gannan is a region with diverse ethnic groups and a strong religious atmosphere, so respect local religious beliefs and customs. When entering temples, follow the temple's rules and do not take pictures or make loud noises at will.
Pack your bags and embark on a tranquil journey to Gannan! Let your soul be healed in this vast land and leave with beautiful memories.