Winter in Gannan is like an ink painting, and it's more cost-effective

Go to the wilderness, away from the crowd, and take the best photo of the year This year, I decided to do something different for the Spring Festival. Tired of the same old family gatherings and nagging relatives, I decided to spend the holiday with nature! My destination was Gannan, a secret place that National Geographic called a "must-see in a lifetime." I like to travel in the off-season when there are fewer people and prices are lower. I rented a car and drove there on a whim. I set off from Lanzhou and drove south along National Highway 213. The view outside the window gradually changed from city skyscrapers to snow-capped mountains. When I entered Xiahe County, the golden roof of Labrang Monastery shone brightly in the sun. I also went to Zhagana, where the morning mist shrouded the village and the sun shone through the clouds onto the Tibetan houses. I climbed to the viewing platform and waited for the morning mist to gradually dissipate. At that moment, I understood why this place is called the "last Eden on earth." Gannan is worth visiting. Its beauty is a balm for the soul, and the long journey is nothing compared to the scenery. Here is my itinerary. It's quite relaxed, but be careful of ice and snow on the road. ### Itinerary: Day 1: Lanzhou → Zhagana Day 2: Zhagana - Flower Lake - Yellow River Nine Bends - Tangke Day 3: Tangke - Lianbaoyeze - Gemo Monastery - Jiuzhi Day 4: Jiuzhi - Langmu Monastery - Sangke Grassland - Xiahe Day 5: Xiahe - Labrang Monastery - Lanzhou ### Useful tips: 1. The temperature difference between day and night is large in Gannan in winter, so be sure to bring warm clothes. 2. The altitude is high, so it's recommended to prepare oxygen in advance. You can get an oxygen pillow at the hospital. 3. The signal is poor in some sections, so download offline maps in advance. 4. Respect local customs and don't take photos in temples. 5. Bring some snacks. There aren't many places to eat on the road, and the toilets are limited. Come to Gannan. Here, every frame is a blockbuster, and every moment is worth cherishing.