2025 Zhouqu Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in August)

June and July are neither too cold nor too hot, making it the perfect time to travel 🥳! Plus, many places haven’t reached peak tourist season yet, so there are fewer people, beautiful scenery, and low prices. You can have a great time even on a small budget 🎉! Today, I’m sharing 4 treasure cities that are perfect for budget trips in June and July. Save this post now 👇 ✅ Gannan 🕰️ Best time: June to July when the grasslands are most beautiful 📍 Must-visit spots: Labrang Monastery, Zhagana, Langmu Temple 🍽️ Specialty foods: Yak jerky, butter tea, barley wine 🏫 Accommodation recommendation: Summer County homestays 100-200 RMB/night 🚌 Transportation: Direct buses from Lanzhou, car rentals for more freedom 📸【6 Must-Visit Secret Spots in Gannan】 ㅤ 📍 Zhagana A hidden village treasured by immortals, shrouded in morning mist like an ink painting - 📍 Langmu Temple The Tibetan version of "Little Switzerland of the East," the Bailong River separates Gansu and Sichuan provinces, where Tibetan Buddhism and Islamic culture coexist wonderfully - 📍 Labrang Monastery Home to the world’s longest prayer corridor (3.5 km) and one of the highest Tibetan Buddhist academies - 📍 Sangke Grassland In summer, wildflowers cover the grassland, yaks and horses graze leisurely, resembling a Windows desktop wallpaper - 📍 The First Bend of the Yellow River The sunset casts golden light on the winding Yellow River, like a golden ribbon - 📍 Lianbaoyeze Jagged stone mountains reflected in the lake, a 4,520-meter viewing platform facing snow-capped peaks, with chances to spot wild sheep and marmots - ✅ Wuyuan 🕰️ Best time: June for terraced fields, July for summer cooling 📍 Must-visit spots: Huangling Autumn Drying, Jiangling Terraces, Likeng Ancient Village 🍽️ Specialty foods: Red carp in lotus leaf, steamed cakes, Qingming rice cakes 🏫 Accommodation recommendation: Farm stays in scenic areas 80-150 RMB/night 🚌 Transportation: High-speed rail to Wuyuan Station, rural buses between scenic spots ✅ Scenic Check-ins Wunvzhou: 📷 Photo spots: The Golden Pavilion and Baoyu Tower are excellent panoramic shooting points for stunning photos. 🌟 Special recommendation: Don’t miss the Baoyu Tower’s iron flower performance (twice daily at 20:00 and 21:10) and the fireworks show (Fridays and Saturdays at 21:35), the scenes are breathtaking. · Huangling: 📷 Check-in route: Start from the village square, visit the folk exhibition hall, Zhushan Academy, Tianjie Street, Zhongwu Square, Patriot Wall, Photography Bar, Drying House, Yixin Building, Wugui Hall, Drying Workshop, and finally reach the Autumn Drying Platform. The scenery along the way is stunning. · Likeng: 📷 Route: Start from Wenchang Pavilion, pass the big camphor tree, Shenming Pavilion, Tongji Bridge, Tonglv Square, and finally reach the ancient theater stage to experience the tranquility and beauty of the ancient village. ✅ Haikou 🕰️ Best time: June to July off-season with fewer people and better prices 📍 Must-visit spots: Qilou Old Street, Holiday Beach, Volcano Park 🍽️ Specialty foods: Wenchang chicken, Qingbuliang (cool dessert), Hainan noodles 🏫 Accommodation recommendation: Youth hostels 50-80 RMB/night 🚌 Transportation: Well-developed bus system, electric scooter rentals 30 RMB/day 🛣️ Haikou Qilou Old Street A place full of history in Haikou, with Nanyang-style architecture and unique arcade buildings. On weekends, you can catch the immersive market on Sunday at Qilou Old Street, with vintage scenes, a variety of handicrafts, and local snacks, as if traveling back to the Republic of China era. Perfect for taking amazing photos! 🏜️ Holiday Beach White sandy beaches, blue sea, and coconut trees—so relaxing! You can rent a beach buggy to race along the sand or just lie quietly on the beach soaking up the sun. If you want more excitement, surfing and windsurfing are available. There’s also a sea bus sightseeing tour, where you can enjoy even more beautiful sea views from the boat, making your trip worthwhile. 🌊 Wugong Temple A cultural landmark in Haikou commemorating five famous officials exiled to Hainan during the Tang and Song dynasties. The park is beautiful with various ancient trees and flowers. The temple’s architecture is distinctive, and inside are exhibits about the lives of the five officials, offering a deep cultural and historical experience. 🌊 Haikou People's Park A free city park where you can visit the tropical botanical garden to experience tropical vibes; or take a stroll by the lake to enjoy the scenery. If you have time, you can also visit the hilltop playground for some fun and relaxation. 🌊 Haikou Wanlv Park A large free coastal ecological park with coconut breezes and sea charm, offering stunning views. You can walk along the coast to watch the sunset or spread a picnic mat on the lawn to enjoy a leisurely afternoon. The park has many recreational facilities, perfect for family outings. ✅ Quanzhou 🕰️ Best time: June for fewer crowds, July for seafood 📍 Must-visit spots: Kaiyuan Temple, West Street, Chongwu Ancient City 🍽️ Specialty foods: Mianxian porridge, Tusu jelly, ginger duck 🏫 Accommodation recommendation: Licheng District inns 120-180 RMB/night 🚌 Transportation: Bus + shared bikes, old town is best explored on foot 📷｜Recommended photo spots 💕1. Meichaofeng 3rd floor rooftop: Photographer’s spot with the red brick wall spelling “Quanzhou” 💕2. Bawang Chaji 4th floor rooftop: Can capture the twin towers + “Quanzhou” + West Street, but photographers need to shoot from the nearby Meichaofeng rooftop 💕3. West Street Tourist Center rooftop: Views of West Street and the twin towers 💕4. Youli Coffee rooftop: West Street + twin towers, very atmospheric at sunset 💕5. Quanzhou Bell Tower: Iconic building at the pedestrian street entrance 💕6. Xiangfeng Alley: The alley opposite Kaiyuan Temple’s main gate, great for capturing street life and the twin towers of Kaiyuan Temple together 💕7. Kaiyuan Temple: Ancient temple in Quanzhou, filming location for "Black Monkey King" 💕8. Quanzhou poster wall: Navigate to “Juruo·West Street,” visible right inside the entrance 💕9. Quanfuxiaoxicheng: The phrase used by host Bai Yansong to describe Quanzhou! 💕10. Love Tree: Opposite Zhongmin Department Store 💫 Avoid the crowds! Here are the perfect destinations for travel in May and June~ Comfortable temperatures, stunning scenery, and perfect for capturing atmospheric photos in no time

Jiuzhaigou's Stunning Waters · Sacred Gannan ► #Huanglong Scenic Area: Nestled among the mountains, vibrant forests of colorful trees lead to the Five-Color Pond, often praised as a 'paradise on earth.' ► 🌈 Jiuzhaigou: Known for its saying 'After seeing Jiuzhaigou, no other water compares,' it features 108 lakes formed by springs, waterfalls, rivers, and beaches, creating dazzling pools and basins. ► #Wen County Tianchi: Due to its remote location, this spot is less known and visited, offering tranquility and a serene lake quietly 'lying' before you. ► #Laga Mountain: Grasslands, cattle, sheep, rolling peaks, and sea clouds create a dreamlike fairyland. ► #Gahai Lake: Rich in aquatic plants, this area serves as a resting and breeding ground for rare migratory birds. ► Too real! 🐼 Secrets of top celebrities' daily lives revealed!

Gannan, a mystical land, boasts the unique advantage of low altitude and diverse Tibetan landscapes, making it a perfect alternative to Tibet for many. If you've always yearned for the Tibetan region but lack sufficient time or budget, don't miss this earthly paradise. Gannan is a soul-stirring journey you must experience in this lifetime! 📍Address: Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province 🗓Itinerary: 2 Days 1st Stop: Xiahe Ganjia Secret Land 2nd Stop: Xiahe Sangke Grassland 3rd Stop: Xiahe Labrang Monastery 4th Stop: Milarepa Buddha Pavilion in Hezuo City 5th Stop: Meiren Grassland 6th Stop: Yeliguan 7th Stop: Dayu Valley 8th Stop: Luoke Road 9th Stop: Zhagana (stay overnight before returning to Hezuo City to conclude the trip ✔️) 🚉Transportation Guide 1. Getting to Gannan - By Air (1) Lanzhou Zhongchuan Airport: More flights and lower fares. About 70 km from the airport to downtown, taxi fare ~¥120 or airport shuttle ~¥25. (2) Xiahe Airport: Fewer flights and higher fares. Zhongchuan Airport is recommended. - By Train/High-Speed Rail Lanzhou has two stations (Lanzhou Station, Lanzhou West Station). High-speed trains mainly stop at West Station, ~10-30 mins to downtown, fare ~¥17. Options: Lanzhou West to Xiahe (~4 hrs) or Zhongchuan Airport to Xiahe (~1 hr). 2. Internal Transportation in Gannan - Car Rental/Shared Rides No direct buses between attractions. Renting a car or joining small group tours is recommended. - Self-Driving is also feasible. 🔥Recommended Local Cuisine in Gannan: Tibetan dishes include: 1. Yogurt 2. Butter Tea 🥤 3. Jue Ma Rice 🍚 4. Tibetan Steamed Buns 5. Hand-Grabbed Mutton 6. Bale 7. Stomach-Wrapped Meat 8. Ando Noodle Slices, etc. ⚠️Additionally, Gannan restaurants have recently undergone upgrades, offering a variety of delicious dishes. 👍Must-Visit Attractions: 1. Sangke Grassland 2. Ganjia Secret Land 3. Labrang Monastery 4. Ando Milarepa Buddha Pavilion 5. Meiren Grassland 6. Yeliguan 7. Dayu Valley 8. Zhagana 9. Luoke Road 💰Average Cost: ¥500 (family version) 📝Tips: Bring ID 🪪, sunscreen, oxygen canisters, and layered clothing. ❤Reason to Visit: A mystical earthly paradise for unforgettable check-ins! ✅Must-Experience Activities:

📷 Take my advice! For May Day, you absolutely need to lock in this magical route in Gannan!!! Strongly recommend Gannan! Compared to popular cities like Zhangye and Dunhuang, it has fewer tourists, more beautiful scenery, and lower prices. It hides four incredible landscapes: the Zhagana secret realm, misty Buddhist pavilions at dawn, grassland stupas, and sacred snow lakes. When the golden sunrise pierces through the mist of Zhagana, when prayer flags flutter in the morning breeze at Langmu Temple, when yaks wander across the green fields of Sangke Grassland, when the snowy peaks of Laga Mountain reflect in Lake Gahai... this underestimated plateau paradise will overwhelm your soul with faith and poetry 😭 1⃣ How to explore the four top attractions Zhagana: Make sure to arrive at Fairy Lake viewpoint before 6:00 AM! The morning mist and light intertwine precisely at 7:00 AM - set your camera to burst mode or record video on your phone. Langmu Temple: Navigate to "Langmu Temple Town" and take a 10-minute country road to the top! Skip the 1-hour winding road from the main entrance - a blessing for lazy travelers. Sangke Grassland: This stupa grassland at 3,400 meters elevation is perfect for photos wearing Tibetan robes with prayer wheels, riding horses, yaks, or posing with Tibetan mastiffs. Laga Mountain: Divided into two main areas - Gahai (sacred snow lake) and Zecha Stone Forest (geological wonder). Recommend staying at Laga International Youth Hostel for hiking, camping, and stargazing. 2⃣ Tips to avoid pitfalls 👉🏻 Don't buy yak meat at the Zhagana scenic area entrance! It's gamey and not fresh - tsampa at Tibetan homestays is much better. 👉🏻 Sangke Grassland has rugged mountain roads - take altitude sickness medication in advance and avoid using your phone in the car. 👉🏻 Always carry these three essentials: sunscreen, sun hat, and lip balm. 3⃣ My tour itinerary 🚗 D1: One day tour in Lanzhou D2: Depart from Lanzhou - Liujiaxia Reservoir - Milarepa Buddha Pavilion D3: Jiangdie Highway - Fairy Beach - Zhagana D4: Zoige Grassland - Gerde Monastery - Namo Grand Canyon D5: Sangke Grassland - Labrang Monastery - Return to Lanzhou ✈ 4⃣ Small tips ✅ The "Tibetan Homestay Earth Hotpot" in Zhagana is amazing! Must order the yak meat hotpot ✅ I recommend joining a small tour group like I did - it's much easier, and you still have free time once you're in the scenic areas ✅ Bring a thick jacket! Temperature differences in Gannan are extreme 🌟 Trust me, Gannan is the sacred mountain realm beloved by "Chinese National Geographic"! Experience the beauty of plateau faith in 5 days, exciting throughout, just go for it this May Day holiday~

Laji Mountain is located on the south bank of the Bailong River in the southeast of Lijie Town, Zhouqu County, Gansu Province, 12 kilometers away from National Highway 345. The scenic area has beautiful natural scenery and unique folk customs. Zhouqu, a country where mountains and water blend, Laji Mountain, a paradise where people and nature live in harmony; a beauty in the hinterland of Minshan, her Tibetan and Qiang style, the beautiful and delicate of Jiangnan, and the majestic and majestic of the north are played together. The magnificent scene of the mountain dancing silver snake, the snow peak, the secluded valley, and the pine forest are another scene, 'The ground is white and the wind is cold, and the snowflakes are as big as hands', the snowflakes fall from the sky, and the surroundings are like pulling up a white tent. The earth immediately became silver-clad, and the dead branches and yellow leaves also had some enchanting, making Laji Mountain full of infinite reverie and charm. In this snow dance season, looking around, those trees that have lost their leaves are covered with fluffy and shiny silver strips, those evergreen pine and cypress trees are covered with heavy snowballs, a gust of wind blows, the trees sway gently, those beautiful The silver strips and snowballs fell down rustlingly, and the jade-like snow foam also floated with the wind, and the snow covered the mountains and forests, covering the Tibetan villages, and it became a world of powder and jade. Entering Laji Mountain, wandering in the secluded valley can find wonders, strolling in the Tibetan village can visit the ancient, here is the highest expression of natural ecology, is the elegant collection of Tibetan village style, everything here will make you stop, even if it is snowing heavily, There is no slightest intention to curl up, all there is is a long drunk unwilling to wake up... Laji Mountain, hang the lake and mountain on the lintel, and hold the Tibetan paradise in your arms; Laji Mountain, a place loved by immortals, a mountain and water soaked in compassion, held in the palm by Gannan. Tips: Pay attention to keeping warm when playing in winter.

Lahu Mountain is located on the south bank of Bailong River in the southeast of Lijie Township, Zhouqu County, Gansu Province, 12 kilometers away from Provincial Highway 313. Lahu Mountain has beautiful natural scenery and unique folk customs. It is also an important Tibetan Buddhist gathering place in Zhouqu Tibetan Township. Lahu Mountain is located in Lijie Township, which is more than 50 kilometers west of Zhouqu County in the upper reaches of Bailong River. The main scenic spot is about 2100-2800 meters above sea level and covers an area of 25.71 square kilometers. The whole scenic spot is divided into six major characteristics from geographical features, ecology, reservoirs and humanities. The terrain is very wide and the original plants are rich, hiding the quiet and ecological landscape. The Lagou ditch is deep and narrow, the stream is quiet and the mountains are strange. The center of the center stands proudly, the mountain peaks are arched, and the three mountains meet at the mountainside to form a buffer zone. Lahu Village is located there, and more than 40 villagers live here. Lahu Mountain is surrounded by grassland, surrounded by pine forests and dense shrubs. Extremely far-sighted, the mountains and the mountains are all in sight. In the spring and summer seasons, the mountains and flowers are raging; in the autumn, the mountains are red and the layers of forests are dyed; in winter, the mountain dances, silver snakes, snow peaks, valleys and pine forests are also a sight. In addition to the natural scenery, Lahu Mountain has a unique folk customs, Tibetan costumes are dazzling and dazzling, and the Tibetan folklore, rhythm dance, horse bell dance, especially Duodi The dance stretches cheerfully and has become the "county dance" of Zhouqu.