Gannan 7-Day Self-Drive Tour｜Explore the "Little Tibet" for 3000 RMB per Person! Grasslands, Sacred Lakes, Tibetan Temples,

Gannan 7-Day Self-Drive Tour｜Explore the "Little Tibet" for 3000 RMB per Person! Grasslands, Sacred Lakes, Tibetan Temples, Starry Skies—all checked off, this loop route is breathtakingly beautiful As a travel blogger who has traveled over 30 plateau routes, the 7-day in-depth self-drive loop in Gannan is perfected—— ✅ Under 3000 RMB per person ✅ Covers 9 major highlights ✅ Avoids peak crowds ✅ Suitable for beginners adapting to the plateau ✅ Stay every night in Tibetan-style guesthouses/comfortable hotels The most beautiful closed loop in Gannan, now it's yours. 【Gannan 7-Day Self-Drive Tour · Essential Loop】 📍 Route: Lanzhou → Linxia → Xiahe → Luqu → Ruoergai → Zhagana → Hezuo → Lanzhou Total distance: about 1200 km Best season: June to September (green grasslands, stable climate) Suitable for: Couples / Friends / Family self-drive / Photography enthusiasts Budget per person: 2980 RMB (based on 2 people carpooling) Daily itinerary (detailed version) Day 1: Gather in Lanzhou → Linxia → Xiahe (260 km, 4.5h) Stay: Tibetan-style guesthouse in Xiahe County (¥260/room) - Morning: Depart Lanzhou, head south along G1816 Wuma Expressway - Afternoon: Brief stop at Linxia Hongyuan (free, Hui ethnic ancient architecture) - Evening: Arrive at the outskirts of Labrang Monastery, shoot the golden rooftops at sunset - Dinner: Tibetan restaurant for yak meat buns + butter tea (¥40/person) Highlights: > - Aerial drone shots of Labrang Monastery (a must for drone enthusiasts) > - Night photography at the prayer corridor (locals spinning prayer wheels, full atmosphere) Day 2: Full day in Xiahe｜Labrang Monastery + Sangke Grassland (light hiking) Stay: Same hotel in Xiahe - Morning: In-depth visit to Labrang Monastery (ticket ¥40) - Must-see: Wen Si Academy, Gongtang Pagoda, Debate Hall (starts at 3:00 PM) - Noon: Tibetan restaurant outside the monastery for tsampa + yak yogurt - Afternoon: Drive 20 km to Sangke Grassland (free) - Horse riding experience (¥80/30 minutes) - Grassland hiking + drone aerial shots of the "green carpet extension" - Evening: Return to Xiahe, freely explore Bajiao City night market Day 3: Xiahe → Luqu → Ruoergai (280 km, 6h) Stay: Comfortable hotel in Ruoergai County (¥300/room) - Morning: Depart passing Gahai Lake (ticket ¥50, highland freshwater lake, watch black-necked cranes) - Noon: Lunch in Luqu County (Sichuan-Tibet style, ¥35/person) - Afternoon: Cross Amuquhu Grassland, view yak herds from afar - Evening: Arrive at the edge of Ruoergai Grassland, shoot the "line between heaven and earth" sunset - Dinner: Tibetan hotpot in Ruoergai (¥50/person) Tips: > Ruoergai altitude is 3400m, avoid strenuous exercise on the first day to adapt to the plateau Day 4: Full day in Ruoergai｜First Bend of the Yellow River + Waqie Stupa Forest Stay: Same hotel in Ruoergai - Morning: Visit the First Bend of the Yellow River (ticket + electric cart ¥70) - Climb the viewing platform to see the Yellow River winding like a dragon - Best light at dawn or dusk, shoot the "Golden River Sunset" - Afternoon: Drive 30 km to Waqie Stupa Forest (free) - Thousands of white stupas shining in the sunlight, a Tibetan Buddhist sacred site - Can hang prayer flags for blessings (¥10 each) - Evening: Return to Ruoergai, free time Day 5: Ruoergai → Zhagana (200 km, 5h mountain road) Stay: Tibetan village guesthouse in Zhagana (¥280/room, mountain view from window) Main focus: Cross the Dieshan Canyon to reach the "Stone City" Zhagana - Afternoon: Arrive at Zhagana village (Dari, Dongwa, Yeri three villages) - Hike the Luoke Trail (light hike 3 km, free) - Shoot panoramic views of "Tibetan village + clouds + snow mountains" - Evening: Drink butter tea on the guesthouse terrace, wait for the starry sky to rise Photography tip: > Sunrise in Zhagana is at 5:30-6:00 AM, recommend waking early to climb and shoot the rolling sea of clouds Day 6: Zhagana → Hezuo (240 km, 5h) Stay: Comfortable hotel in Hezuo City (¥260/room) - Morning: Climb again to shoot Zhagana morning scenery - Noon: Lunch in Hezuo City, recommend "Hezuo Yak Soup Hotpot" (¥45/person) - Afternoon: Visit Milarepa Buddhist Pavilion (ticket ¥40) - Nine-story Tibetan-style Buddhist pagoda, exquisite interior murals, rare high-level Tibetan Buddhist pavilion - Evening: Free time in the city, can visit Tibetan medicine bath experience center (¥60/person, optional) Day 7: Hezuo → Lanzhou (230 km, 3.5h) - Morning: Return to Lanzhou, optional stop at Linxia Bingling Temple Grottoes (ticket ¥80) - Noon: Eat beef noodles by the Yellow River in Lanzhou (¥12/bowl) - Afternoon: End of trip, can continue northwest journey or return home Cost breakdown per person (based on 2 people carpooling) | Item | Cost (per person) |-----|-----| | Car rental (SUV 7 days) | ¥800 | | Fuel + tolls (1200 km) | ¥450 | | Accommodation (6 nights, average ¥280/room) | ¥840 | | Meals (7 days, average ¥80/day) | ¥560 | | Tickets + electric carts (Labrang, Gahai, First Bend, Milarepa Pavilion) | ¥230 | | Miscellaneous (snacks, water, emergency medicine) | ¥100 | | Total | ¥2980 | > 💡 Money-saving tips: > - Carpooling with 3 people can reduce cost to under ¥2400 per person > - Bring your own snacks to reduce dining expenses in scenic spots > - Prioritize free attractions (Sangke Grassland, Waqie Stupa Forest, Zhagana) Plateau travel tips (must read!) 1. Altitude adaptation: - Gannan average altitude 3000-3500m, most people have no altitude sickness - Recommended no bathing, no alcohol, no strenuous exercise in first two days 2. Vehicle preparation: - Recommend renting an SUV (e.g., Haval H6, Toyota RAV4) - Check tires, spare tire, snow chains (for rainy season) - Bring oxygen canisters (¥20/can, buy in Lanzhou), Rhodiola (take 3 days in advance) 3. Weather and clothing: - Large temperature difference between day and night (20°C daytime, 5°C night) - Recommended: windbreaker + fleece + quick-dry underwear + sun hat + sunglasses 4. Respect local customs: - Do not step on prayer flags, do not touch Buddha statues, do not point at monks - When photographing locals, smile first and get permission before shooting 5. Eco-friendly travel: - Carry out all trash, do not damage grassland vegetation - Do not feed wild animals (such as marmots) Recommendations - Best shooting times: - 5:30-7:00 AM (sunrise) - 7:00-8:30 PM (sunset) - After 10:00 PM on clear nights (Milky Way rises) - Must-bring items: - Drone (top choice for aerial shots in Gannan) - Wide-angle lens (for grasslands/lakes) - Thermos (to brew brown sugar water to relieve altitude sickness) Avoid pitfalls: - Ruoergai "horse riding trap": negotiate price first, charge by time (don’t trust "one lap" pricing) - Book Zhagana guesthouses in advance! Rooms are hard to get in peak season Gannan, Not Tibet, yet has the purest faith; Not Switzerland, yet has the vastest grasslands; It weaves a gentle net with grasslands, sacred lakes, white stupas, and prayer flags, Catching all weary souls. If you want to be healed by nature, Then set off, Wherever the wheels go, there is freedom.