Guane Gou 2-Day Travel Guide:

Guane Gou is known as the "Little Jiuzhaigou of Longnan," combining canyons, waterfalls, snow-capped mountains, lakes, forests, and Tibetan-Qiang ethnic culture. It is a highly worthwhile destination to visit. I have planned a 2-day, 1-night itinerary for you and outlined the approximate costs to help you enjoy your trip to Guane Gou. 🌲 Guane Gou 2-Day Travel Guide and Budget ✨ Highlights of the Itinerary · Fusion of Nature and Culture: This itinerary allows you to appreciate Guane Gou’s core natural attractions such as Guane Tian Waterfall and Zedangcuo (Heavenly Lake), as well as cultural experiences like visiting Luren Tibetan Village to feel the unique Tibetan-Qiang customs. · Balanced Pace: The schedule emphasizes a balance between activity and rest, including some hiking exploration, sightseeing shuttle rides, and leisure time to avoid excessive fatigue. · Clear Budget Planning: Provides itemized cost estimates and money-saving tips to help you better control travel expenses. 📌 Basic Information The Guane Gou scenic area mainly consists of Guanzhu Gou and Eman Gou, which are about 10 kilometers apart, each with distinct scenery. Tickets are usually sold as a combined pass, including shuttle bus fees, valid for 2 days (but each gorge can only be entered once). Item Information Notes/Tips Ticket Combined ticket 130 RMB (includes shuttle bus) Ticket valid for 2 days, but each gorge can only be entered once. Best Season Summer (cooling off) and Autumn (scenery viewing) Summer is cool; autumn’s colorful leaves contrast beautifully with the blue lakes and sky. Opening Hours 8:00-18:00 (may extend to 18:30 in summer) Recommended Gear Comfortable hiking shoes, rain gear (mountain weather is changeable, waterfalls produce mist), warm clothing (large temperature difference between morning and evening), student ID (for discounts) 🗓️ Guane Gou 2-Day Itinerary Below is an overall flowchart of the 2-day itinerary to help you visually understand the trip arrangement: 💡 Daily Detailed Schedule Day 1: Guanzhu Gou Exploration (Canyons and Waterfalls) · Morning: Take a train from your departure point to Hadapu Station. After exiting, transfer to a tourist bus or scenic area shuttle to Dangchang County or Guane Gou Scenic Area (about 1.5 hours by car). Upon arrival, check in at your pre-booked inn or hotel and drop off your luggage. · Afternoon: Purchase tickets at the scenic area ticket office (combined ticket 130 RMB, including shuttle bus). Then enter Guanzhu Gou to explore. Guanzhu Gou is known for its waterfalls and canyon scenery. You can combine shuttle bus rides with hiking to enjoy attractions like Longxian Waterfall, Jiudie Waterfall, and Guane Tian Waterfall. Guane Tian Waterfall is several tens of meters high with a large water volume, very spectacular. · Evening: Return to accommodation in Dangchang County or near the scenic area. Find local snack shops to try Longnan specialties such as Yangyu Jiaotuan (potato paste) and Suancai Mianpian (sour vegetable noodles). Then rest at your lodging to recharge for the next day. Day 2: Eman Gou Journey (Lakes and Heavenly Lake) · Morning: After breakfast, head to Eman Gou. Take the shuttle bus to Shibaxianghui Station, then start hiking to Zedangcuo (Heavenly Lake, also called Love Lake). This hiking route is about 10 kilometers round trip and requires some physical strength, but the lake’s scenery is well worth it (the water is clear green and surrounded by green mountains). If your stamina is limited or time is tight, you can also choose to visit other lakes in Eman Gou such as Eman Lake and Jinyang Lake. · Afternoon: Depending on your train or bus schedule, arrange your time in advance to travel from your inn to Hadapu Station or other transport hubs, concluding your pleasant Guane Gou trip. 💰 Budget Planning (Per Person) Below is a reference estimate of per-person costs for the 2-day Guane Gou trip: Expense Category Cost (RMB) Notes Tickets 130 Guanzhu Gou + Eman Gou combined ticket (includes shuttle bus) Accommodation (1 night) 100-300 Budget inns or homestays about 100-200 RMB/night; Dangchang County has many budget hotel options Meals 100-150 Three meals per day, mainly local snacks and simple meals (e.g., Yangyu Jiaotuan, Suancai Mianpian) Internal Transportation 30-50 Possible extra shuttle fees within the scenic area (e.g., shuttle from Guanzhu Gou to core scenic spots 10 RMB one way), local transport in Dangchang County Miscellaneous/Emergency 50-100 For emergencies, snacks, souvenirs, etc. Total (approx.) 410-730 Budget flexibility mainly depends on accommodation choice. A budget of 500-600 RMB is recommended for comfort. Please note: This budget does not include your major transportation costs to and from Guane Gou (such as train tickets from your city to Hadapu Station and shuttle bus fees from Hadapu Station to the scenic area). You need to calculate these costs based on your departure location. 🏨 Accommodation and Dining Recommendations · Accommodation Options: · Inside or near the scenic area: You can choose Guane Gou Resort Hotel (mid-to-high-end) or Tibetan-Qiang style homestays (affordable and culturally immersive). Staying near the scenic area is convenient for sightseeing. · Dangchang County: More budget hotels available, suitable for travelers on a budget, about 30 minutes by car to the scenic area. · Food Recommendations: · Longnan specialties: Yangyu Jiaotuan (potato-based with unique texture), Suancai Mianpian, cured pork rib hotpot. · Tibetan-Qiang flavors: Butter tea, Zanba (roasted barley flour), hand-pulled lamb. · Snacks: Dangchang cold noodles, Youmiancha (oil noodle tea). ⚠️ Important Notes 1. Weather and Clothing: Mountain weather is changeable. Be sure to check the weather forecast for Dangchang County before traveling and carry rain gear and warm clothing. Wear comfortable sports or hiking shoes. 2. Cash Preparation: Although mobile payments are widespread, some remote family inns or small stalls may only accept cash, so it’s wise to carry some cash and small change. 3. Physical Fitness Assessment: Guane Gou requires a lot of walking, especially the hike to Zedangcuo Heavenly Lake in Eman Gou, which is a considerable distance. Plan your itinerary according to your physical condition and proceed within your limits. 4. Environmental Protection: Please protect the scenic area environment and do not litter. 5. Ticket Policy: Confirm ticket validity and usage scope (Guanzhu Gou and Eman Gou require a combined ticket, but each gorge can only be entered once). Arrange your sightseeing order reasonably. 💡 Money-Saving Tips 1. Transportation Choice: Prefer taking the train to Hadapu Station and then transferring to the scenic area bus, which is often more economical and convenient than going directly to Longnan Station. 2. Book Accommodation Early: Especially in peak season, booking online or by phone in advance usually offers better prices than last-minute walk-ins. 3. Bring Your Own Snacks and Water: Buy snacks, bread, and bottled water at supermarkets near the county or inns before entering the scenic area to replenish energy during hikes and save on dining costs inside the park. 4. Beware of Spending Traps: Local people near the scenic area entrance may solicit customers or sell overpriced goods. Always ask for prices clearly before purchasing. I hope this detailed guide and budget help you better plan your trip to Guane Gou. Have a great time in the "Little Jiuzhaigou of Longnan"!