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MARIANNA WILLIAMSONUnited States

Real Experience of a Family Self-Driving Tour in Gannan! These Tips Are a Must-Know! Family! I just returned from a self-driving trip to Gannan with my 65-year-old parents and 5-year-old daughter!

Real Experience of a Family Self-Driving Tour in Gannan! These Tips Are a Must-Know! Family! I just returned from a self-driving trip to Gannan with my 65-year-old parents and 5-year-old daughter! We did a lot of research before departure, but still got caught off guard by altitude sickness😭 Fortunately, the scenery along the way was absolutely stunning, and the kids had a great time! I've compiled some super practical tips, so if you're planning to go, make sure to save this! 🗺️ Our 8-day self-driving route Lanzhou → Meiren Grassland → Hezuo Hezuo → Zhuoni Dayugou → Dayugou Dayugou → Rock Road → Zhagana Zhagana → Langmu Temple → Namo Grand Canyon → Guomang Wetland → Sanke Grassland → Linxia Linxia → Hezheng Paleontological Museum → Songmingyan → Linxia Linxia → Benzhi Valley Viewing Platform → Huangtao Confluence Viewing Platform → Gansu Provincial Museum → Lanzhou ❗ A harsh lesson from altitude sickness I originally thought the elderly and children were the "high-risk groups" for altitude sickness, but the first to go down was actually me! On the first day at Meiren Grassland, at 3600 meters altitude, I got a headache immediately, and the child was also breathing heavily. That night, after taking ibuprofen and resting flat, I finally recovered. So! If you're going to Gannan, always carry altitude sickness medicine with you! Don’t tough it out if you have a headache! 🌟 Blood, sweat, and tears compiled super practical tips 1️⃣ Dayugou vs Zhagana? I want both! I was originally torn about only going to Zhagana, but after altitude sickness in Hezuo, we changed plans and went to Dayugou first. Unexpectedly, it was a treasure! Fewer people, beautiful scenery, and lower altitude—perfect for elderly and kids~ ⚠️ Warning: After rain, the water in Ajiagou turns yellow. If you want to photograph emerald green streams, watch the weather carefully! 🏠 Accommodation recommendation: Zhuoni Luoyang Home, a clean and cozy guesthouse 🍖 Food recommendation: "Jiuhe Niba" in Zhuoni County, Tibetan cuisine so delicious you'll lick your plate! I thought I wouldn’t like it, but ended up loving it from the first bite! 2️⃣ Rock Road: Bumpy but worth it! From Dayugou, we crossed Rock Road to Zhagana. The 30 km "washboard road" was so bumpy it made me question life, but the scenery was truly amazing! Guardrails have now been installed along the roadside, so it’s not as dangerous as imagined~ 🍲 Zhagana dining guide: Dongga’er Tibetan Restaurant, the owner cooks personally! Tibetan fragrant pork is a must-order, and the hotpot is also very tasty! 3️⃣ Namo Grand Canyon: A paradise for kids! I planned to turn back halfway, but when the kid heard there were marmots, she pulled me all the way to the end! The whole trip took about 25 minutes, and seeing the marmots digging holes was worth it! When I asked the kid which spot she liked best, this was her first answer~ If you’re hiking with kids, just go for it! 4️⃣ Grassland check-in and pitfall avoidance guide Sanke Grassland is okay to just pass by; the wetland has little water and the scenery is average. Guomang Wetland is worth stopping at; standing on the viewing platform and feeling the breeze is so comfortable! 5️⃣ Linxia hidden gems for food, drink, accommodation, and transport To avoid altitude sickness, we drove straight from Zhagana to Linxia! 🍗 Food recommendation: Gajiu Yi Big Plate Chicken, chicken is tender and flavorful; Yasar Yogurt, sweet and sour, thick and refreshing; Bafang Shisan Street Maqi Beef, locals line up for it! 🏨 Accommodation recommendation: Tianyuan Wanda Jinhua, rooms are spacious and comfortable 👧 Kid’s favorite: Horse riding at Songmingyan, the little one couldn’t stop smiling on the horse! 6️⃣ No-fail accommodation in Lanzhou Hyatt and Lanzhou Old Street Puyan Hotel are both good, close to downtown and convenient for travel~ 💡 Other small tips - Altitude sickness emergency kit: ibuprofen, oxygen bottle, glucose are essential! Take medicine and rest immediately if you have a headache - Weather changes a lot: big temperature difference between day and night, bring thick jackets and sun protection clothes - Food surprises: Tibetan and Hui cuisine are both delicious! Don’t be scared off by "niche" foods, be bold and try them! The scenery in Gannan is truly addictive! What else do you want to know, friends? Or if you have other hidden gem activities, come chat in the comments!
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Posted: Jun 23, 2025
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