5 Days 4 Nights Gannan Itinerary: The Ultimate Lazy Traveler's Guide!

Summer Trip to Gannan! Gallop Along the Jiangdie Road, Explore the Eden on Earth! Unlock a 20°C Summer Paradise! 🌤 Gannan Weather & Outfit Guide ✅ July-August Temperature: 10~25°C, perfect for escaping the heat! ✅ Outfit Suggestions: ▪️ Daytime: T-shirt + sun-protective jacket + hat (strong UV rays!) ▪️ Morning/Evening: Windbreaker/thin down jacket (big temperature difference!) ▪️ Shoes: Comfortable hiking shoes (lots of walking in Zhagana and Langmusi) ▪️ Accessories: Sunglasses + sun-protective face mask (intense plateau sunlight) 💡 Tips: Gannan weather is unpredictable—rain may come anytime 🌧️, so bring a dual-purpose umbrella! 🏠 Accommodation Tips 1️⃣ Avoid showering upon arrival! Prevent altitude sickness; wait 1 day to adapt. 2️⃣ Recommended Stays: ▪️ Xiahe: Close to Labrang Monastery, Tibetan-style homestays are unique. ▪️ Langmusi Town: Plenty of lodging options, convenient for early temple visits. ▪️ Zhagana: Stay in Tibetan villages with snowy mountain views, but basic conditions. 3️⃣ Essentials: Disposable toiletries, thermos, electric blanket (some hotels provide). 🌅 5 Days 4 Nights Itinerary 📍D1: Nationwide → Lanzhou Hotel → Free time in Lanzhou 📍D2: Lanzhou → Ganjia Secret Land → Labrang Monastery → Xiahe (overnight in Xiahe) ▪️ Highlights: White Cliff Canyon + Namo Grand Canyon hike ▪️ Highlights: World’s longest prayer wheel corridor 📍D3: Xiahe → Horseback Riding on Grasslands → Langmusi → First Bend of Yellow River → Ruoergai ▪️ Highlights: Grassland horseback riding ▪️ Note: Langmusi is divided into Sichuan & Gansu sections—don’t mix them up! ▪️ Highlights: Stunning sunset over the Yellow River’s bends ▪️ Tips: Viewing platform has escalators—climbing stairs at high altitude is exhausting! 📍D4: Ruoergai → Flower Lake → Country Road 550 → Zhagana ▪️ Highlights: Misty Tibetan village of Zhagana + Fairy Beach hike ▪️ Highlights: Waterbird paradise with wooden boardwalks over the lake 📍D5: Zhagana → Secret Highway → Meiren Grassland → Lanzhou ▪️ Highlights: ~106 km with no signal—rocky mountains, meadows, and more unfold along the way ▪️ Highlights: Unique plateau meadows of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, dotted with round grass mounds ⚠️ Must-Know Tips for Gannan Travel 1️⃣ Altitude Sickness Prevention: ▪️ Avoid intense activity on the first day; no hair washing/showering. ▪️ Prepare glucose oral solution + ibuprofen (for relief). 2️⃣ Dietary Notes: ▪️ Tibetan cuisine features beef/lamb—eat moderately to avoid overheating. ▪️ Must-try: Tibetan steamed buns, butter tea, yak yogurt. 3️⃣ Transportation Tips: ▪️ Choose an SUV for self-driving; sedans can’t handle some roads (e.g., the Locke Road). ▪️ Book a reliable driver in advance and sign a contract! 4️⃣ Cultural Respect: ▪️ No photography inside temples; circle prayer wheels clockwise. ▪️ Sky Burial platforms forbid photos & loud noises.