Highly recommend visiting Gannan in summer

✅ July-August temperatures range from 10-25°C. Pack spring clothes with a light jacket for daytime, and bring a fleece-lined windbreaker or lightweight down jacket for evenings. The Tibetan region has significant day-night temperature differences (10-23°C), and nights can be chilly. Most Tibetan areas don't have air conditioning. 🏯 Religious Culture & Temple Etiquette (Labrang Monastery, Langmusi Temple, etc.) 📸 Photography etiquette: Enjoy free panoramic views from the hills behind Labrang Monastery. Always ask for explicit permission before taking photos with monks or locals. 🙏 Temple taboos: No smoking, touching Buddha statues, pointing at statues, or randomly flipping through scriptures in any temple hall. Maintain reverence. 🍵 Hospitality customs: When offered butter tea, wait for the host to present it with both hands before accepting with both hands as a sign of respect. 🎫 Ticket usage: Labrang Monastery tickets include guided tours (available during regular working hours). Keep your ticket as it's checked again when entering different colleges (scripture halls). 📷 Tibetan costume experience: Many shops around Labrang Monastery and Langmusi offer costume rentals and travel photography—remember to bargain! 🌿 Grasslands & Natural Scenery (Sangke Grassland, Zhagana, Gahai Lake/Flower Lake) 🐎 Sangke Grassland: Vast area—avoid crowded paid spots and explore deeper for more beauty. Horse riding costs 60-100 RMB/ride (~20 minutes)—confirm price and duration beforehand. ⛰️ Zhagana: Strongly recommend hiking up the wooden plank trail (e.g., to Fairy Beach). Taking the shuttle or horseback (expensive and bumpy) means missing stunning views and immersive experiences. 💧 Lake choice: Choose between Gahai Lake and Flower Lake. Flower Lake currently has better-developed facilities (plank roads, viewing platforms). Select based on itinerary convenience and time. 🏞️ Hidden Gems (Ganjia Secret Land) 🗺️ Ganjia Secret Land: Typically includes Bajiao City, White Cliff Temple, etc. Note: White Cliff Grand Canyon (White Cliff Cave) usually requires separate tickets beyond basic admission—confirm included areas when purchasing. 🚗 Optimized 5-Day Classic Gannan Itinerary DAY1: Nationwide → Lanzhou DAY2: Lanzhou → Ganjia Secret Land → Labrang Monastery → Xiahe DAY3: Xiahe → Horse riding at Sangke Grassland → Langmusi Temple → First Bend of Yellow River → Ruoergai DAY4: Ruoergai → Flower Lake → 550 → Zhagana DAY5: Zhagana → Jiangdie Highway → Meiren Grassland → Lanzhou