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

🏨 Stay Above the Clouds, Meet Tibetan Charm at Banma Gesar Grand Hotel Push open the window, and embrace the snow-capped mountains and the morning light. The pure air of Banma awakens every sense. Gesar Grand Hotel, nestled in the embrace of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, features Tibetan-style architecture that blends seamlessly with nature. From the wood-carved corridors to the warm-toned rooms, every detail exudes a rich Tibetan cultural atmosphere. Here, you are not just a traveler, but a storyteller. ⛰️ Hongjun Gou, A Symphony of History and Nature Follow the Red Footprints: Hongjun Gou, not far from the hotel, is an important landmark on the Long March route. Stroll along the Red Army Bridge and the Red Army Pavilion, where every frame captured by your lens echoes with history. The weathered slogans and the serene memorial hall tell the stories of those turbulent years. Late Autumn Secret Realm: If you visit in autumn, the colorful foliage intertwines with the lush primeval forest, and the flowing Mako River reflects the blue sky, creating an oil-painting-like texture in every shot. 📸 Tibetan Village in the Morning Light: Head to Duogongma Township in the early morning to capture the first rays of sunlight on the Tibetan village. Yaks roam freely, prayer flags flutter in the wind, and humanity and nature blend perfectly. Snow Mountain Highway: The highway in Banma winds through the plateau, against the backdrop of continuous snow-capped mountains, showcasing a free and vast road trip style. Contemplation Under the Starry Sky: The plateau's night sky is crystal clear. Capture the Milky Way alongside the hotel's Tibetan-style architecture, recording the tranquility under the starry sky. ✨ Your Banma Story Begins Here Gesar Grand Hotel is not just a place to rest, but a key to the secrets of the snowy plateau. Stroll through the historical river of Hongjun Gou, relax in the warmth of the hot springs, and experience the authentic plateau life amidst the lively atmosphere of the Tibetan village.

📍Location: Baizha Monastery, a niche temple hidden in Banma County, Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai, awaits you on the self-drive route from Jiuzhi to Seda. Far from the hustle and bustle, it anticipates the visit of every traveler. 📅Suggested Itinerary: Recommended route: Depart from Maqu, Gannan, and head north along the picturesque G345 National Highway, passing through Jiuzhi County, and finally arriving at Banma County. Here, Baizha Monastery is a cultural treasure you won't want to miss. The next day, depart from Banma and continue your journey to Seda. This route not only allows you to appreciate the magnificent scenery of the Tibetan area but also to experience the unique local religious culture and folk customs. 🌄Must-See Spot 1: Stupa Forest Upon entering Baizha Monastery, the first thing that catches your eye is the unique stone stupa forest. These stupas are scattered in an orderly fashion, each carrying a rich history and faith, representing the pinnacle of "stupa forests" in Qinghai. Strolling among them is like traveling back to an ancient and mysterious era, feeling the tranquility and simplicity. 🌄Must-See Spot 2: Mountaintop Stupa As one of the landmarks of Baizha Monastery, the mountaintop stupa stands out with its polygonal architectural style, leaving a lasting impression. Although it is currently closed to the public for preservation, the solemnity and sacredness can still be felt from afar. Stop at the foot of the stupa, gaze at the distant snow-capped mountains and blue sky, and experience this spiritual baptism. 🌄Must-See Spot 3: Stone Carvings Baizha Monastery is not only a religious sanctuary but also a gathering place for Tibetan stone carving art. A large number of exquisite Buddhist stone carving printing plates are scattered within the temple and its surrounding areas, each embodying the craftsman's dedication and wisdom. Here, you can admire these stone carvings up close, appreciate their delicacy and exquisiteness, and experience the unique charm of Tibetan culture. 🚗Transportation: Self-driving is the most convenient way to reach Baizha Monastery. Starting from Maqu, Gannan, drive north along G345 National Highway. The road conditions are good, and the scenery along the way is picturesque. It is recommended to depart early in the morning to fully enjoy the pleasure of self-driving and avoid the inconvenience of driving at night. After arriving in Banma County, you can ask local residents or refer to local tourist information to easily find the location of Baizha Monastery. In addition, there is free parking around the temple for visitors' convenience. 💗Other Tips: 1. Voluntary Donations: When visiting Baizha Monastery, it's a good idea to prepare some small change for voluntary donations. This is not only a sign of respect for faith but also a purification of one's inner self. 2. Altitude Sickness Prevention: The altitude in Golog, Qinghai is relatively high, and first-time visitors may experience altitude sickness. It is recommended to prepare in advance, bring necessary medications, and maintain a good mindset and routine to ensure a pleasant journey. 3. Respect Local Customs: When visiting the temple, please respect local religious customs and ethnic traditions. Do not take photos or make loud noises at will, so as not to disturb the believers' practice and prayers. 4. Reasonable Time Arrangement: Although Baizha Monastery is not large, every corner is worth savoring. It is recommended to allocate about 2 hours for the visit to fully experience the tranquility and mystery of this ancient Tibetan area. 5. Safe Driving: Please pay attention to driving safety when driving to the monastery. Especially on winding mountain roads, be extra cautious to ensure a safe journey. ------ In this mysterious and ancient land, Baizha Monastery is like a shining pearl, quietly emitting its unique brilliance. Whether you are a self-driving enthusiast or someone who yearns for tranquility and faith, this will be an unforgettable travel experience. Take this guide and embark on your journey of discovery!

White Za Temple Travel Guide White Za Temple is located in Baizha Township, Chengduo County, Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province. It is about 60 kilometers from Chengduo County and about 160 kilometers from Jiegu, the capital of Yushu Prefecture. It is the largest Buddhist temple in Chengduo County. White Za Temple was built in 1808 by Awang Lozang Bencuo, a high-ranking monk of the Tibetan Buddhist Zhuba Kagyu sect. The temple's architectural style is unique, blending Tibetan and Han architectural features. It is grand, solemn, and simple. 1. Transportation: To get to White Za Temple, you can take a local taxi or carpool from Chengduo County, or you can drive yourself. The distance from Chengduo County to White Za Temple is about 60 kilometers, and the road conditions are good. However, the altitude is high, so be aware of altitude sickness. 2. Accommodation: There are many Tibetan guesthouses around White Za Temple, where tourists can choose to stay. The facilities are simple but clean and hygienic, and can provide basic accommodation needs. In addition, there are dormitories in the temple for tourists to stay, with prices ranging from 20-50 yuan per night. 3. Dining: There are many Tibetan restaurants around White Za Temple, offering a wide variety of Tibetan cuisine, such as butter tea, tsampa, and yak beef. These delicacies are an important way to experience Tibetan culture, and tourists can enjoy them to their heart's content. 4. Attractions: 1. Main Prayer Hall: The Main Prayer Hall is the core building of White Za Temple, and it houses many Buddha statues and scriptures. This is where monks chant scriptures and hold religious ceremonies, and tourists can experience the strong religious atmosphere here. 2. Thousand Buddha Pagoda: The Thousand Buddha Pagoda is located at the back of the temple and is a three-story tower-like building. The tower houses thousands of Buddha statues, and tourists can admire the exquisite Buddhist art here. 3. Living Buddha's Residence: The Living Buddha's Residence is a unique building of White Za Temple and is the residence of the temple's leader, the Living Buddha. Tourists can learn about the history and status of the Living Buddha here. 4. Printing House: The Printing House is the printing center of White Za Temple and houses a large collection of Buddhist scriptures and documents. Tourists can learn about the transmission and development of Buddhist culture here. 5. Prayer Wheel Corridor: White Za Temple has a prayer wheel corridor hundreds of meters long, where tourists can experience the tradition of turning prayer wheels and feel the piety of the believers. 5. Travel Time: White Za Temple can be visited all year round, but the best time to travel is from June to September each year. The climate is pleasant and the scenery is beautiful, making it the best time to visit White Za Temple. 6. Precautions: 1. Respect local religious beliefs and customs, and do not touch Buddha statues or scriptures at will. 2. No loud talking or smoking in the temple, and keep the environment quiet. 3. Tourists should dress appropriately and avoid wearing shorts, vests, or other inappropriate clothing. 4. There is a thousand-year-old cypress tree in the temple, known as the "sacred tree". Tourists who walk around the tree three times will have good luck, but be careful not to damage the tree. 5. As White Za Temple is located in a high-altitude area, tourists should be aware of altitude sickness and how to deal with it, such as getting enough rest, drinking plenty of water, and carrying altitude sickness medication. I hope the above guide will help you have a pleasant trip to White Za Temple in Qinghai!