Gannan Travel Guide: Encounter Stunning Landscapes and Tibetan Buddhist Culture
Located in the southern part of Gansu Province, China, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, abbreviated as Gannan, is a place full of mystery. As an important part of the Silk Road, it mainly features majestic snow-capped mountains, vast grasslands, deep gorges, and unique Tibetan culture, all of which make it a desirable tourist destination.
With an average altitude of 3,300 meters above sea level, Gannan in China is divided into three natural regions: the Minshan-Diancang mountainous area in the south, the hilly area in the east, and the vast meadow grasslands in the northwest. It presents different colors of landscapes and is reputed as the “Nine-colored Gannan,” which makes visiting there a treat for the eyes.
Chinese: 甘南 gān nán
Location: Southwest Gansu
Population (urban area): 691,000
Why Visit Gannan?
- Charming landscapes: Gannan fulfills all your expectations for beautiful scenery for its diverse landscapes. Visiting there, you’ll see endless snow-capped mountains, clear lakes, high-altitude grasslands, deep gorges, and virgin forests.
- Brilliant Tibetan Buddhist Culture: Gannanis are dotted with plenty of temples, and you will find them with golden roofs and red walls in busy cities as well as remote villages. Immerse yourself in the Tibetan Buddhist culture, and you’ll learn the essence of it.
- Intangible cultural heritage: Gannan has intangible Thangka art, melodious ethnic music, and traditional handicrafts, and all these are the crystallization of the wisdom of the local
- Summer resort: Often referred to as “Little Tibet of China,” Gannan is a hidden paradise and has become a popular summer retreat with its pleasant and cool climate (average temperature of 20°C) and friendly altitude (average of 3000 meters).
- Various festivals: There are numerous folk festivals, including the Sunbathing Buddha Festival, Xialang Festival, Flower Picking Festival, and Hua’er Festival, among many others. Attending festivals there will add fun to your Gannan travel
Top Gannan Tourist Attractions
Zhagana
Characterized by its rugged and dramatic mountain terrain, shrouded in mist and appearing like a fairyland, this is a natural stone village resembling a grand, giant palace. It’s a great place to see the sunrise and sunset.
Top Things to Do in Gannan
Explore the Majestic Labrang Monastery
Being the largest and most important monastery in Gannan, Labrang Monastery houses many valuable cultural relics and artistic treasures, such as the Vajra Stupa, Vajra Hall, Great Sutra Hall, and the prayer wheel corridor. It offers a good opportunity for you to explore various exquisite murals, Thangka paintings, Buddhist statues, and scriptures.
Marvel at the Stunning Scenery on Sangke Grassland
Sangke Grassland in Gannan is a great place to relax and get close to nature. Blanketed by wildflowers in various colors, it is like a huge oil painting. Along with the nomadic tents and livestock dotted here and there, forming a vivid pastoral scene. Besides, it is also a good place to experience folk customs, and you’ll feel the hospitality of the locals there.
Hike through the Breathtaking Langmusi Scenic Area
Surrounded by vast grasslands, dense forests, and red rock cliffs, the Gannan’s Langmusi Scenic Area, especially the part of the Grand Canyon that features steep peaks and magnificent canyon landscapes, is a paradise for hiking enthusiasts. There are many attractions in the Grand Canyon for you to explore, including Tongtian Cave, Duosang Pond, Tibetan Scripture Cave, and Manquka (Medicine Spring).
Discover the Mysterious Ganjia Secret Realm
Ganjia Secret Realm is a pearl on the Gannan landscape with its stunning scenery and rich history. Bajiao Ancient Town within the area was an important military stronghold fiercely contested by central authorities and the Western Xia, Tubo, and Tuyuhun. White Stone Cliff stretches for dozens of kilometers, forming a natural barrier. Visiting there, you’ll sense a mysterious atmosphere.
Other Things to See and Do in Gannan
Aside from exploring the main attractions, there are many other things to do during your trip to Gannan. For instance, you can visit the unique residence Diaofang, take a motorcycle ride on the grassland, or watch a traditional Tibetan dance performance. Besides, Tibetan cuisine is also a must-try on your China Gannan tours.
Gannan Weather & Best Time to Visit
Located on the northeastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau, Gannan experiences a plateau continental climate with four distinct seasons. Hence, the best time to visit there is during summer from June to September. At these times, the weather is pleasant and the attractions are beautiful.
Besides, spring and autumn are also great times for China tours to Gannan, with a relatively mild climate and fewer tourists. While winter in this region can be cold and snowy, making it less ideal for traveling.
Gannan Transportation
How to Get to Gannan
By air: Xiahe Airport, located in Hezuo City, is the only airport in Gannan for civil use. You can fly there and then get to attractions in Gannan from Hezuo. Or, you can take a flight to Lanzhou, and take a long-distance bus to scenic sites.
By bus: Since train service is not available in Gannan, the bus tends to be the major transportation to get there. Take a bus to Hezuo first from nearby cities like Lanzhou and Xining. Then, you can easily reach attractions in different cities.
By driving: Driving to Gannan contributes to a more flexible tour. You can drive to Gannan from Lanzhou (3 hours), Xining (4 hours), and Songpan (6.5 hours).
How to Get around Gannan
There are frequent buses connecting major towns and villages within Gannan, making it the most convenient and economical way to travel. Besides, the region covers a vast area and there might be a long distance between attractions, thus driving to explore the tourist sites will be more convenient.
Tips for Traveling in Gannan
- Check the weather
Check the weather forecast before your travel and avoid visiting there on rainy days, during which roads in Gannan tend to be muddy and difficult to traverse. Also, bring rain gear as the weather is changing.
- Proper clothing
Due to its plateau climate, there is a large temperature difference between day and night, so be sure to bring a warm jacket. Moreover, hats and sunscreen are necessities to protect you from the strong ultraviolet rays on sunny days.
- Respect local customs
Respect the local customs when visiting residents and Tibetan temples. For instance, don’t wear short pants and skirts to Tibetan temples, and don’t use flash when taking pictures in a temple.
- Prevent altitude sickness
The average altitude in the Gannan region is about 3,300 meters. If it’s your first time there, prepare a medication to prevent altitude sickness before departure. In case you suffer from altitude sickness, don’t worry, you can buy an oxygen tank along the route.
