Go to Gannan! Fewer crowds, stunning scenery

🚗 Small Loop Itinerary Day 1: Lanzhou—Ganga Secret Land—Labrang Monastery Day 2: Xiahe—Sangke Grassland—Guomang Wetland—Langmusi Day 3: Langmusi—Ruoergai Flower Lake—First Bend of the Yellow River—Tangke/Ruoergai Day 4: Tangke—Zagana Day 5: Zagana—Milarepa Buddha Pavilion—Lanzhou City (end of trip) ♥ Scenery: Along the way, you'll see mountains and grasslands, with endless greenery that never gets boring even after days of travel. One grassland is dotted with small yellow flowers, while another is filled with clusters of purple blooms. The vegetation on one mountain differs from another, with varying shades of green. Driving through this landscape is incredibly refreshing. ❤ Rock's Road: Navigate from Zagulu Town to Zagana. Driving in reverse direction avoids traffic jams. The forward route is downhill, while the reverse is uphill. The highest pass reaches an altitude of 4,000 meters. Road construction is underway, with the worst sections being the pothole-ridden areas before and after the "bomb crater" stretch. Otherwise, the road is decent. Along the way, you'll encounter clouds, green trees, cliffs, rocky mountains, and even small animals. The best scenery is often on the road itself. ❤ Zagana: Not as stunning as expected; the scenery isn't significantly better than what you see along the way. If you can wake up early, climb the observation deck at dawn to see the misty clouds, which might give you a sense of a "hidden paradise." The scenic area shuttle bus costs 40 yuan, and if you want to go further, you'll need to ride a horse (expensive). Book accommodations in advance (also pricey, with facilities not matching the cost). ❤ Mini Duku Highway: Highly recommended! Route: Zagana—Tiebu Town—Bengba Village—Ruoergai Flower Lake, mainly along County Road 550, known as the "Mini Duku Highway." You'll pass through Tibetan villages, streams, alpine meadows, valleys, and eventually reach vast grasslands. The scenery changes with every stretch of the journey. ❤ Flower Lake: Expansive wetlands, blue skies, white clouds, and flying birds—absolutely beautiful. Some travel guides say Flower Lake isn't worth visiting, but I found it to be a hidden gem. ❤ Ruoergai: A vast, flat grassland where you can see herders offering horseback rides and marmots along the roadside. The Yellow River meanders through the grassland. Take a super-long escalator to the top to watch a breathtaking sunset. ❤ Ganga Secret Land: Navigate to Yishi Secret Land, where you'll find towering white stone cliffs in the distance and sprawling grasslands underfoot. However, the narrow roads require skilled driving for passing vehicles. ❤ Monasteries: Tibetan-style architecture with golden rooftops glistening in the sunlight. The contrasting colors of the outer walls exude a strong sense of faith and aesthetic beauty. It's a serene escape to experience the cultural and spiritual charm. ♡ Other Notes: The 5-day itinerary feels a bit rushed, leaving little time to fully explore some grasslands. On the last day, I missed visiting the Bingling Temple Grottoes. Some sections of the route reach altitudes of 3,900–4,000 meters, causing mild altitude sickness. I also didn't get to visit Lianbao Yeze. These regrets will have to wait for another trip.