6 Days Gannan Highlights Tour from Lanzhou
Tour Overview
Gannan, aka Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, is a region on the Qinghai Tibet Plateau located in the southwest of Gansu Province. Connected to Ngawa Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan, Gannan is a great destination for cultural exploration and natural beauty appreciation.
This 6-day Gannan tour departs from Lanzhou, the capital of Gansu Province. In Langmusi town, you will visit traditional Tibetan temples and appreciate the beautiful Gahai Lake. Afterwards, we arrive in Xiahe to visit Labrang Monastery to learn about the Tibetan Buddhist culture
Relax on Sangke Grassland and see herds of yaks and sheep freely grazing on the grassland. Finally, return to Lanzhou to explore the landmarks of the city. Before arriving in Lanzhou, you will be guided by speedboat to explore the magnificent Bingling Temple Grottoes.
Travel destinations: Lanzhou, Langmusi, Xiahe
Suitable for: Culture Explorers, Nature Lovers
Tour type: Private
Highlights of this tour:
- Enjoy the largest freshwater lake in Gannan.
- Understand the Tibetan Buddhism at Labrang Monastery.
- Visit Tibetan monasteries at the āLittle Switzerland of the East,ā Langmusi Town.
- On the Sangke Grassland to witness herds of yaks and sheep grazing.
- Cruise along the Liujiaxia to Bingling Temple to see the intricate sculptures and murals.
- Take a leisure stroll along the Huanghe River Custom Tourist Line to enjoy the beautiful spots along the way.
Day-by-day Itinerary
- Day 1: Lanzhou ArrivalFree Day
Welcome to LanzhouĀ for 6 days Gannan tour! Upon your arrival, a Chinese-speaking local driver will pick you up and transfer you to your well-selected hotel. The rest of the day is left for you.
You can go to visit the Zhengning Road Night MarketĀ (opening hours: 6:30 pm to 2 am). You will find a variety of local street snacks here: beef noodles, lamb heads, glutinous rice wine with milk, and Jiangshui (sour water) noodles...
Meal: N/A
Accommodation: in Lanzhou
Zhengning Road Night Market - Day 2: Lanzhou to Langmusi TourVisit the Beautiful Lake Gahai Before Arriving in Oriental Switzerland
After breakfast at your hotel, your private guide will meet you and then take you on a 5.5-hour drive to Langmusi, actually a small town. Surrounded by grasslands, woods, hills, and red cliffs, its is known as the "Little Switzerland of the East".
En route, we will stop at Gahai Lake. The largest freshwater lake in Gannan, it is known as a pearl on the Qinghai Tibet Plateau. The water of Gahai Lake is rich in grass, and many rare birds migrating from the northĀ land and breed here, including black-necked cranes and swans. It was recognized as a provincial migratory bird nature reserve in 1982.
Gahai Lake Upon arriving in Langmusi, your guide will provide you with the local Tibetan Buddhist culture. The rest of the time is free for you to stroll in the lovely town.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch
Accommodation: in Langmusi Town
- Day 3: Langmusi TourExplore Local Tibetan Monasteries and An Islamic Mosque
Wake up early and capture the view of the entire town shrouded in morning mist. Waiting for the sunrise and the golden rays of the sun casting in the morning mist is quite a beautiful sight.
Langmusi Town in the Morning After breakfast, take a guided tour of two local Tibetan monasteriesĀ located on the border of Gansu and Sichuan, full of colorful prayer flags. Your tour guide will tell you about the status and history of each temple. In addition, you will also visit an Islamic mosque. Understand the region where different religions and faiths live in harmony.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch
Accommodation: in Langmusi Town
Visit the Tibetan Temples - Day 4: Langmusi to Xiahe TourAppreciate Exquisite Murals at the Renowned Tibetan Buddhist Academy
After breakfast, drive northward from Langmusi Town to Xiahe County. Before arriving (about 3-hour drive), you will visit Sangke Grassland. This undulating grassland is surrounded by majestic mountains. You can see herds of yaks and sheep grazing freely on the grassland, adorned with colorful wildflowers.
In Xiahe, be guided to explore the Labrang Monastery, one of the "Six Great Monasteries of Tibetan Buddhism Gelug Sect". It is a famous Tibetan Buddhist college with the best complete teaching system of Tibetan Buddhism and the longest corridor of turning scriptures in the world. You can see the daily rituals, explore the intricate murals...
Meals: Breakfast + Lunch
Accommodation: in Xiahe County
Walk the Worldās Longest Prayer Wheel Circuit - Day 5: Xiahe to Lanzhou TourTake A Speedboat to Bingling Temple for Stone Carving, Clay Sculpture...
Today, we will drive back to Lanzhou. After 4 hours, the van stops at the Liujiaxia Dam Dock. Here, take a speed boat to Bingling Temple grottoes. During the 1-hour boat ride, appreciate the majestic rock cliffs along the river.
After getting off the boat, walk several minutes to the entrance of the temple. It is a famous grotto temple with Tibetan and Han styles, boasting numerous niches, stone, and clay sculptures, and murals of 900 square meters that can date from various dynastic eras.
Bingling Temple Grottoes After the visit, keep driving for 2.5-3 hours to Lanzhou city. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel. Have a good rest and explore the city further at your own leisure in the evening.
Meals: Breakfast + Lunch
Accommodation: in Lanzhou
- Day 6: Lanzhou DepartureSee Landmarks in Lanzhou along the Huanghe River Custom Tourist Line
Today is the last day of your 6 days Gannan tour in Lanzhou. You will see some landmarks of this city, beginning at the White Pagoda Mountain Park. Named after White Pagoda Temple, the park has tall trees and dense forests, with winding paths leading to secluded places. Located at a high point, here you can enjoy a panoramic view of the city, the Yellow River, and the surrounding mountains.
Zhongshan Bridge Then, visit along the Huanghe River Custom Tourist Line, which is considered as "the Bund of Lanzhou City", taking Zhongshan Bridge as the axis to stretch out along the Yellow River. The sites to visit on the Tourist Line are distributed on the Road River, including Yellow River Mother Sculpture, Zhongshan Iron Bridge, Waterwheel Park, and so on. After the tour, your guide will escort you to the airport according to your flight time!
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: N/A
Tour Price ($=USD)
From $999 P.P, which is based on a private tour for 2 people. The price varies depending on the activity, number of people, travel date, and selected hotel.
