"Blessed Gannan" Six-Day Sacred Circuit Tour (Xiahe Chapter)

📍Historical and Religious Significance Founding Origin: Established by the 1st Jamyang Tulku Awangzun in the 48th year of Kangxi in the Qing Dynasty (1709), it is one of the six main monasteries of the Gelugpa (Yellow Hat) sect of Tibetan Buddhism, known as the "World Tibetan Academy." Cultural Value: The monastery houses over 100,000 scriptures written in gold and silver ink and cinnabar ink, more than 10,000 Buddha statues of various sizes, countless thangkas and murals, making it the religious, cultural, and artistic center of the Amdo Tibetan region. 📍Must-Visit Attractions Prayer Wheel Corridor: Follow the locals clockwise to complete the 3.5 km longest prayer wheel corridor in the world, touch the prayer wheels to pray for blessings; the whole journey takes about half an hour. Six Major Colleges (Zhacang): Includes the College of Study and Contemplation (Sutra), Upper and Lower Colleges of Tantra, Kalachakra College (Astronomy), Vajra College (Rituals), etc. The main hall of the College of Study and Contemplation can accommodate 4,000 monks chanting sutras, grand and imposing. Shouxi Temple (Great Golden Tile Hall): The largest Buddha hall in the monastery, with a six-story gilded copper tile roof, enshrining an 8-meter tall gilded copper statue of Maitreya Buddha. The hall also houses the gold and silver ink "Kangyur" scriptures. Gongtang Pagoda: Climb to the top for a panoramic view of the monastery; in the morning mist, the red walls and golden roofs look like a fairyland, an excellent spot for photography. 📌Practical Information Admission: 40 RMB per person (includes some areas of the monastery and the museum). Recommended Visit Time: 2-3 hours, English guided tours available at 10 AM. Hidden Experience: Attend monks chanting sutras at 6 AM (when open), and observe thangka painting at the "Snowland Art School" on the west side of the monastery. 2. Ganga Secret Realm — A Miniature Landscape of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau 📍Formation and Geographical Features Natural Wonder: Located in Ganga Town, Xiahe County, covering an area of 131.23 square kilometers, with an elevation difference of 1,300 meters from north to south, it gathers cliffs, grasslands, lakes, stone forests, caves, rivers, and other typical Qinghai-Tibet Plateau landforms. Historical Background: Historically a vital passage "eastward to Guanzhong, westward to Tibet," it has been the practice site of great masters like Padmasambhava and Tsongkhapa. 📍Core Attractions Recommended Octagonal Ancient City: The only octagonal military fortress in China, built during the Western Xia period (around 1038), with a hollow cross-shaped city wall that is easy to defend but hard to attack. The viewing platform offers panoramic shots of the ancient city and Baishi Cliff. Baishi Cliff: A 15-kilometer-long jade-colored screen spanning the grassland, with prehistoric caves at the base (Denisovan site). Inside the caves are natural Tibetan script letters and auspicious treasure trees, requiring a lama guide for exploration (about 50 RMB per person). Zuohai Temple and Baishi Cliff Temple: Thousand-year-old Bon religion temples and the residence of the female tulku Guangri Tsang. The surrounding grasslands are tranquil, ideal for Tibetan cultural photography. 📌Cost-effective Tips Admission: Free for the scenic area; some attractions charge separately (e.g., cave guide fees); navigating to "Baishi Cliff Caves" can waive the 80 RMB entrance fee. Recommended Route: Xiahe County Town → Ganga Secret Realm (30 km, 1-hour drive) → Octagonal City → Baishi Cliff Caves → Return to Xiahe for accommodation. 3. Transportation Guide — Self-driving is the Way to Go! 🚗 Why Strongly Recommend Self-driving? Maximum Freedom: Some sections of Ganga Secret Realm are only grassland paths; SUVs can drive deep into the secret realm, stopping anytime to capture desktop-level grassland scenery. Cost-effective: Carpooling with 4 people, fuel and toll fees cost about 200 RMB per person per day, saving 60% compared to chartering a car. 🛣️ Self-driving Route Plan (Langmusi → Xiahe) Total Distance: About 150 km, 3 hours driving, good road conditions (national and provincial roads). Key Points: ✅ Langmusi → Sangke Grassland (stop for horseback riding and visit Labrang Monastery) → Xiahe County Town (accommodation) → Labrang Monastery (walking tour) → Ganga Secret Realm (30 km, grassland road). ✅ Pitfall Warning: Download offline maps as some areas have no signal; gas stations are scarce, fill up whenever possible! Food & Folk Customs — Deeply Experience Tibetan Culture 🍜 Food Recommendations (30-50 RMB per person) Tibetan Breakfast: 🔸 Tibetan Steamed Buns: Yak meat filling bursting with juice, 10 RMB per basket at Xiahe market. 🔸 Butter Tea: The sweet tea version is easier to accept, paired with barley cakes to warm the heart and stomach. Main Meal Recommendations: 🔸 Hand-pulled Lamb: The lamb neck is the most tender, paired with raw garlic for an authentic taste. 🔸 Yak Yogurt: At Zongba Yongmu Tibetan Restaurant, the sour and rich yogurt tastes better with sugar. Popular Restaurants: Chuanxianglou (fusion Tibetan cuisine), Sangpei Dongzhu Tibetan Restaurant, value combo of meat pie + butter tea. 🎪 Folk Activities and Seasonal Experiences New Year Rituals: From the 3rd to the 17th day of the first lunar month, Labrang Monastery holds ritual dances and butter lamp exhibitions; monks wear masks and perform divine dances, a spectacular scene. Daily Experiences: 🔹 Horseback Riding at Sangke Grassland: Visit herders’ homes (20-50 RMB/hour), cheaper than scenic spots. 🔹 Tibetan Costume Photography: Rentals in Langmusi Town (50 RMB/3 hours), with snow mountains and grasslands as backdrops. Cultural Taboos: ❌ No photography, hats, or short skirts inside temples; prayer wheels must be turned clockwise; women are forbidden to enter Baishi Cliff caves during retreat periods. 5. Practical Tips (Dry Goods Version) Clothing: Wear a windbreaker plus a thin down jacket layered, as the plateau has large temperature differences between day and night! Bright-colored shawls or scarves look better in photos. Avoid Pitfalls: ❌ Don’t buy "Dzi beads" at temple entrances (mostly cheap Yiwu goods); souvenirs like prayer wheels can be bought within 30 RMB at Xiahe ethnic market. ❌ Don’t bathe the first night; prepare altitude sickness medicine (more effective than Rhodiola); ask for "less spicy" when ordering food and bring your own stomach medicine. 💎 Summary: Gannan offers 200% of Tibetan soul for 1/5 of the Tibet budget! Perfect for a weekend plus one day short trip, self-driving + local food + off-the-beaten-path photo spots = a social media hit! (All information tested in 2025, reliable reference) 🔥 Follow me for the next update: "Zhagana Starry Sky Photography Guide"!