Gannan is back, and I really don’t recommend going in August! Because it’s just too amazing!

Just finished the Gannan trip, and the aftereffects are strong! Grasslands, temples, canyons, Tibetan villages... this "essence of Tibetan land" recommended by National Geographic has a friendly altitude (average 3000 meters), low risk of altitude sickness, yet it condenses the ultimate scenery of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau! The whole trip is 7 days and 6 nights, costing over 3,000 RMB per person. Here’s a nanny-level guide for you👇 📅 Itinerary route: counterclockwise loop to avoid crowds! D1: Lanzhou → Ganjia Secret Realm → Xiahe Ganjia Secret Realm: Head straight to explore the karst caves under Baishi Cliff (bring a flashlight!), use a drone to capture a "God’s eye view" at the Octagonal City ruins, and in the evening, stake out the debate session at Zuohai Monastery. The moment when the monks in red robes wave their sleeves is super stunning. Overnight in Xiahe: Tibetan-style guesthouse "Nuordan" with prayer flags visible from the window, and the owner’s homemade barley wine warms both stomach and heart🍶 D2: Labrang Monastery → Sangke Grassland → Langmusi Town Labrang Monastery: At 6 AM, join locals for a 3.5 km circumambulation along the prayer wheel corridor! After 4 PM, when tourists leave, take silhouette shots of Tibetan robes against the red walls (no photos inside the temple, but outside walls are free to shoot). Sangke Grassland: Horseback ride through wetlands and flower seas (2 hours/150 RMB), drink freshly boiled yak milk at a herder’s home, with a thick milk skin that sticks to your mouth. D3: Langmusi → Zhagana Langmusi Town: At the Gansu temple (Saichi Temple), watch the morning mist at the sky burial platform (❌ no photos allowed), hike the Bailongjiang Canyon at the Sichuan temple (Gerdie Temple), and encounter chubby marmots by the creek. Head straight to Zhagana: Arrive in Daricun village in the afternoon. The Tibetan-style guesthouse "Yunju" with scenic rooms must be booked one month in advance! The window view is the same stone box panorama featured in National Geographic. D4: Full day immersive tour in Zhagana Sunrise: Rush to Daricun viewing platform at 5:30! The misty Tibetan village looks like a fairyland, and in July, the barley fields are as green as an oil painting🌾 Hiking: Fairy Beach → One Line Sky light hike (3 km), follow a guide on a wild path to unlock hidden waterfalls (50 RMB per person, worth it!) Starry sky: Stay up late to watch the Milky Way. Yeri village has the least light pollution. Star trail shooting settings: ISO3200 + 30 seconds exposure. D5: First Bend of the Yellow River → Ruoergai Flower Lake → Tangke Yellow River sunset: Arrive in Tangke town before 4 PM, take the elevator straight up to the viewing platform (105 RMB/person), wait for the sunset to dye the S-bend into golden silk. Flower Lake exclusive: From June to August, the lake surface is covered with Gesang flowers. Wear a white dress and stand on the boardwalk to capture the "Monet garden" vibe, with black-necked cranes flying right behind you! D6: Lianbaoyeze → Aba Gate of the Demon Realm: Drive to the 4520m viewing platform, jagged stone mountains reflect in Zhagarlco Lake. Wear a windbreaker to shoot dark-themed photos (very windy!) Overnight in Aba: Eat at "Zongze Tibetan Restaurant" in the county town. Tibetan buns + yogurt set meal is filling and cheap. D7: Return to Lanzhou → Milarepa Pagoda The nine-story pagoda in the cooperative city is a must-climb! The mandala murals are breathtaking, and the top floor offers a panoramic view of the city to end the trip. 🏡 Accommodation pros and cons: tested to avoid pitfalls! ✅ Zhagana: Daricun > Yeri village > Dongwa village (scenery decreases in that order), stay high, not low! "Yunju" guesthouse has stable hot water and floor heating adds points. ✅ Langmusi: "Red Stone Youth Hostel" next to Gansu temple, fall asleep listening to chanting on the terrace, best value for money. ❌ Be cautious choosing hotels outside scenic spots! For example, the "view hotel" outside Zhagana ticket gate is actually 5 km from the village, very lonely. 🍜 Tibetan food tested: the joy of gaining 5 pounds! Yak meat hotpot: Xiahe "Snow Mountain Love" spicy broth + freshly sliced yak meat, about 70 RMB per person, spicy enough to make you gasp but you can’t stop eating. Tsampa yogurt: At the entrance of Zhagana village, a Tibetan mom freshly grinds barley flour, pours thick yogurt and stirs it, the sour and crispy taste is very special. Tibetan clay hotpot: At Langmusi "Lisa Restaurant," yak bone broth with wild mushrooms, unbelievably fresh! 💣 Avoid: "Tibetan family feast" at scenic spot entrances are mostly pre-made dishes! Be cautious buying dried beef (may be mixed with horse meat). 📸 Photo tips: spots that will blow up your social media! Zhagana: Daricun viewing platform sunrise sea of clouds + Fairy Beach meadow silhouette (wide-angle lens essential). Labrang Monastery: Capture Tibetan locals’ side profiles along the circumambulation corridor (telephoto 70-200mm compresses space perfectly). Yellow River Nine Bends: Use your phone’s time-lapse at sunset to capture the Yellow River’s "golden ribbon." Outfit TIP: Bright scarves/shawls save dark backgrounds! Wear a red dress riding a horse on Sangke Grassland, choose a white dress at Flower Lake for a fairy-like vibe. ⚠️ Blood and tears pit avoidance guide: the harsh truths no one tells you! Altitude sickness superstition: Don’t shower on the first day! Feeling dizzy? Drinking glucose works better than oxygen cans (5 RMB per pack at pharmacies). Transport pitfalls: Be cautious driving on the Rock Road! Gravel roads have a high tire burst rate; SUVs are more stable (rent a Tank 300). Cultural taboos: ❌ Don’t photograph Tibetans doing full prostrations! Circumambulation must be clockwise, stepping on prayer flags will get you scolded. Horse riding tricks: On Sangke Grassland, negotiate by the hour (don’t believe "one round for 50 RMB," it might only be 5 minutes). 💌 Final little happiness: Under the starry sky in Zhagana, a Tibetan mom handed me a bowl of steaming butter tea. The milky fragrance mixed with the toasted barley noodles’ aroma suddenly made me understand the meaning of "Shangri-La on earth"—Gannan’s beauty is not only in the scenery but also in those who shared a cup of tea, pointed the way, and laughed with you. This guide is for reference only.