Things to do in Gannan

Jiangdie Road

Jiangdie Road is a highway in Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province, passing through Zhagulu Township, Niba Township, and Zhagana. Jiangdie Road concentrates the scenery of the transition zone between the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and the Loess Plateau. From snow-capped mountain passes, virgin forests, alpine meadows to ancient Tibetan villages and temples, every kilometer is like a flowing landscape scroll. The road sometimes passes through canyons and sometimes circles to passes. When the sea of ​​clouds rolls in summer, the road is like a suspended sky road. In autumn and winter, the continuous limestone mountains are outlined with sharp lines by the snow. Jiangdie Road is a classic route for self-driving tourism in Gannan. It is the ecological corridor, tourism channel, industrial carrier, and harmonious grand garden of Gannan Prefecture. Its completion and opening to traffic have promoted the development of all-region tourism along the route, allowing more tourists to appreciate the beauty and culture of Gannan. As an economic artery running through the central part of Gannan Prefecture, Jiangdie Road is of great significance to strengthening the economic construction of ethnic minority areas in Gannan Prefecture, promoting the external circulation of agricultural and livestock products along the route, accelerating the development of characteristic and advantageous resources, and promoting high-quality economic and social development in the region.

Dari Viewing Platform

The Dari Observation Deck is at a high altitude, with a wide field of vision, surrounded by lush trees and pleasant scenery. Climbing up to the Dari Observation Deck, you can see the panoramic view of Zhagana, the sunrise and the morning mist, and take in the surrounding beauty.

Yeliguan National Forest Park

Yeliguan National Forest Park is located in Yeliguan Scenic Area and is the main attraction of Yeliguan Scenic Area. The forest park is dominated by quiet forest scenery and beautiful mountains and waters, and is the main destination for tourists to visit Yeliguan. It costs about 200 yuan to charter a car from Yeliguan Town. It takes about 5-6 hours to visit the forest park. After entering the park, you can walk along the Xiangzigou Lianxi Plank Road, Huangnizi Primitive Forest Plank Road, and Luming Plank Road, and finally return to the entrance of Xiangzigou. The park is mainly composed of primitive forests and landscapes. There are dense forests, gurgling water, waterfalls, etc. along the way. It feels very pleasant to walk. You will also pass a sika deer breeding base in the middle, where you can take pictures of beautiful deer.

Maqu First Bend of the Yellow River

Maqu First Bend of the Yellow River is located within Maqu County, Gannan. It is important to note that this attraction is not the Tangke Nine-Bend Yellow River Scenic Area that most tourists are familiar with, but rather the bend in the Yellow River next to theMaqu Yellow River Bridge. The first bend of the Yellow River spans over 500 km in total length and over 40 km in width, crossing four townships: Muxihe,Awancang, Qihama, andCairima, with the bend located inCairimaTownship. On this grassland of nearly 10,000 square kilometers, mountains stand tall, snow-capped peaks rise high, pastures are vast, and the water and grass are lush. In addition to producing the famous Hequ horses, Oula sheep, and rainbow trout, it is also home to many precious wild animals. What is truly amazing is that 120 km west of Maqu County, there is a place called Ximeiduohetang. Every mid-July, the entire grassland is covered with small flowers called golden lotus. Looking out, it stretches for dozens of kilometers, a dazzling golden sight that catches the eye. By August, the golden lotus flowers quietly fade away, replaced by sky-blue gentians that bloom everywhere, turning the entire grassland into a sea of blue—poetic, picturesque, and rare in this world.

Baishi Cliff

Baishiya is located 30 kilometers north of Xiahe County. To travel to Ganga, you can't miss the wonderful Baishiya Karst Cave. Baishi is not pure white, it may be named because of its contrast with green. Baishiya runs from east to west and is about 15 kilometers long. From a distance, it looks like a white jade screen, lying in the air, shining under the blue sky and white clouds. Standing under the Baishi Cliff, you not only admire the majestic and majestic nature of nature, but also feel the softness and moistness of nature. In the west of the bottom of Baishi Cliff, there is a karst cave that can accommodate three or four people. The cave has gurgling water and winding paths. It is said that there are naturally formed Tibetan vowels and consonants on the stone walls in the cave, as well as stone shapes such as Ruyi Bao Niu, Ruyi Treasure Tree and Natural Rice. In 1982, the tenth Panchen Lama visited this cave during his inspection in Gannan. Baishiyan Karst Cave is said to stretch for hundreds of miles and can lead to Xunhua County, Qinghai Province.

Norden Camp

The campsite is located on the winter pasture of the Sangke Grassland, at an altitude of 3,200 m, near Labrang Monastery. The campsite consists of 13 well-equipped cabins and tents, with every detail blending the ancient wisdom of nature from nomadic peoples with the pursuit of modern comfort. All guest rooms, including the tents, are fitted with wooden floors and soft, high-quality bedding, and are furnished with traditional-style furniture, local antiques, and textiles locally sourced and meticulously crafted by our sister company, Norlha.

Runwu Canyon

Darzong Lake

Dalzong Lake is about 3,100 meters above sea level, in the shape of irregular gourds and vines. The lakeside is surrounded by mountains on three sides. The lake is full of fish, the lakeside is overgrown with wild grasses, hundreds of flowers are in full bloom, the mountains are densely covered with forests, and hundreds of birds are clustered in the forest. The lake and mountains are intoxicating. Dalzong Lake is a sacred lake in the hearts of Tibetans. Every year on the fourth day of the fifth month of the lunar calendar, Tibetans from all over the world come here to make pilgrimages to plant arrows and pray for good luck. At this time, the whole mountain was filled with smoke, and the sound of conch shells resounded through the sky. The believers turn the prayer wheel with their hands, recite the scriptures, and circle the lake three times in a clockwise direction.

Bajiao City Ruins

Bajiao City Ruins are located in Xiahe County, in the eastern part of Ganjia Grassland, on a terrace at the confluence of theYangqu Riverand the Yangla River. It is named for its eight corners. In ancient times, this was a vital transportation hub between Gansu and Qinghai, as well as a military stronghold fiercely contested by successive central regimes and the Tuyuhun, Tubo, Western Xia, and Xiluo dynasties. Thefortificationis in the shape of a hollow cross, with a moat, defensive walls, and an outer enclosure outside the city, as well as an additional outer city outside the south gate. This shape offortificationis rare in Chinese history and holds high archaeological and aesthetic value. Built during the Han Dynasty, the city broke away from the traditional square layout, making it quite unique. Although the city is not small, the distance between the corners is within the effective range of bows and crossbows, allowing them to cover each other, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack. A large number of artifacts have been unearthed at the Bajiao City Ruins, such as metal coins, bronze oxen, square and rectangular bricks, and tube and flat tiles from the Tang and Song dynasties. In addition, abandoned terraced fields can be found everywhere on the surrounding plains, hills, and terraces, with some extending all the way to the mountaintops. The economic prosperity and dense population of the past are evident from this.

Dangzhou Grassland

This is an ideal holiday destination, with green grass and trees, mountains, forests, grasslands and tents. Every midsummer, all kinds of wild flowers bloom on the green grass. Since the first Gannan Shambhala Tourism Art Festival was held in 2000, it has become the main venue of the previous Gannan Shambhala Tourism and Art Festivals, as well as the gathering place for ethnic mass cultural and sports activities and festival celebrations.