[2025 Delingha Attraction] Travel Guide for Gahai Lake (Updated May)

🙋🏻‍♀️I came to Gannan just for this road -- the Jiangdie Highway. It's 110 km long and takes 5–6 hours to drive. It's as spectacular as it is thrilling! 🚘Starting from Zhagana, you'll journey through canyons, forests, snowy mountains, and meadows. Only by traveling this road can you truly experience the essence of Gannan. - 🍃Recommended 5-Day, 4-Night Gannan Itinerary Day 1: Lanzhou Day 2: Lanzhou - Huang-Tao Rivers Confluence Viewing Platform - Labrang Monastery - Sangke Grassland - Overnight stay in Xiahe Day 3: Xiahe - Ganjia Secret Realm - Gahai Lake - Langmusi, Sichuan - Hiking in Namo Grand Canyon - Overnight stay in Langmusi Day 4: Langmusi - Zoige Flower Lake - "Little Duku" Highway 550 - Explore Zhagana - Overnight stay in Zhagana Day 5: Zhagana Sunrise - Jiangdie Highway - Milarepa Buddha Pavilion - Lanzhou - ❓Why this itinerary is recommended: ❶ ✅Convenient transportation Lanzhou is the transportation hub, easily accessible by plane or high-speed rail. High-speed rail is recommended, as the station is conveniently located 9.3 km from the city center. Lanzhou Zhongchuan International Airport, about 75 km from the city center, can be an alternative. - ❷ ✅Niche + Classic Attractions: 2⃣ Major Highways: Jiangdie Highway + "Little Duku" Highway 550, say goodbye to aesthetic fatigue~ 3⃣ Major Classic Temples: Langmusi Monastery, Labrang Monastery, Milarepa Buddha Pavilion, where scenic beauty meets spiritual faith. 5⃣ Essential Attractions: Zhagana, Ganjia Secret Realm, Zoige Flower Lake, Sangke Grassland, Gahai Lake. Check off all the must-see scenic spots in Gannan in one go. . ❸ ✅Immersive travel experience: ✨Experience Tibetan culture in Zhagana and immerse yourself in authentic Tibetan life. Take stunning photos in Tibetan clothing at Labrang Monastery and capture the immersive atmosphere. ✨Enjoy a semi-independent tour in Langmusi, with a light hike in Namo Grand Canyon and watch the monks' debates. . 💡Tips for traveling the Jiangdie Highway in Gannan: ✔More than half of the Jiangdie Highway has no cell phone signal, and the road is mostly bumpy, requiring high demands on both the vehicle and driving skills. Self-driving is not recommended. ⚠️For those planning a trip to Gannan, joining a group tour is a better option. It takes care of all your transportation and accommodation needs, and you don't have to worry about planning or encountering any unexpected issues~

Located on the Gahai Grassland at an altitude of 3,400 meters within the territory of Luqu County, there lies a lake with rippling blue waves under the vast sky, and that is Gahai Lake. Gahai Lake is the largest freshwater lake in Gannan Prefecture, covering more than 10,000 mu during the wet season and over 7,000 mu during the dry season, with the deepest point being about five meters. The lake is surrounded by excellent natural pastures, with rivers crisscrossing and well-preserved vegetation. Various rare and exotic birds inhabit the lakeside. In 1982, Gahai Lake was designated as a wetland type migratory bird sanctuary by the provincial government, and in 1999, it was listed as a national nature reserve by the State Council. In the season of gentle breezes and beautiful sunshine, Gahai Lake is extraordinarily stunning. From a high vantage point, it looks like a blue sapphire inlaid at the top of the plateau, or like a bright mirror opened by a beautiful woman in the morning light, sparkling and shining under the sun. As you approach, you will see snow-capped mountains and green grass, blue sky and white clouds reflected in the lake, clear and distinct; colorful wildflowers bloom splendidly on the lakeshore; yaks and sheep leisurely chew on the fresh grass; shepherdesses gently swing their whips, their graceful figures swaying between the blue sky and green fields, swaying amidst the lake and mountain scenery, like fairies descending to earth. Compared to many famous beautiful lakes in the inland areas, the lofty Gahai Lake appears especially pure, without a hint of artificial embellishment or carving, without the slightest noise and dust of the city. This place is also the 'own kingdom' of various rare birds and colorful butterflies. Every spring and autumn, more than 80 species of migratory birds, including swans, cranes, black storks, great egrets, geese, ducks, and waterfowl, fly here from the coastal areas of southern China, Southeast Asia, Nepal, and the foothills of the Himalayas to nest and breed. The Tibetan herders who have lived on the Gahai Grassland for generations, believe in Buddhism, adhere to the precept of not killing, regard the arrival of rare birds as auspicious, and especially consider cranes as incarnations of immortals, symbols of auspiciousness and beauty, and never disturb or harm them. As a result, in this blessed land, various butterflies dance and compete with flowers; flocks of birds fly up and down, playing and singing. The white feathers of swans floating in the clear water make the lake even more serene, and the red-beaked black storks, as big as sheep, like to wander by the lake, not startled by people, displaying an elegant and noble posture. At this time, Gahai Lake is colorful and lively, a picture of simplicity and elegance where heaven and man are one.

Itinerary share: Day1 Chengdu-Lanzhou-Gansu Provincial Museum-Zhengning Street Night Market Day2 Lanzhou-Liujiaxia Yellow River Qinghuang Confluence Viewing Platform-Gan Secret Realm/Baishiyao-Labrang Monastery/Xiahe Day3 Labrang Monastery-Sangke Grassland-Guomang Wetland-Gahai Lake-Langmusi Town Day4 Langmusi Town-Flower Lake (550 Township Road)-Zoige Grassland-Yellow River Nine Bend Sunset-Tangke Day5 Tangke-Zhagana-Luoji Road-Hezuo-Mila Ri Ba Buddha Pavilion Day6 Hezuo-Meiren Grassland-Lanzhou-Chengdu Packing List Clothing👔👗 Six pieces of long-sleeved and short-sleeved dresses (bright colors for good photos), sun protection jacket, windbreaker (down jacket), three pairs of trousers, pajamas, ice sleeves, various hats Backpack and canvas bag, a pair of hole shoes/slippers, flat shoes/sneakers, six pairs of socks, sunglasses, sun protection mask Toiletries & Overnight Necessities🛀 Disposable towels, bath towels, underwear, toilet seat covers, dirty bed sheets, high SPF sunscreen, lip balm, body lotion, after-sun repair mask, hydrating spray, cosmetics, makeup remover wipes, shampoo, shower gel, conditioner Food🍪🍫 Water, milk, functional drinks, biscuits, chocolate, sausages, beef jerky, snacks, daily nuts, etc. for energy replenishment Medicines💊 Emergency rescue kit, motion sickness medicine, ibuprofen, band-aids, altitude sickness medicine, gastrointestinal medicine, glucose, (a bottle of cola) Others Mosquito repellent spray, oxygen bottles, U-shaped pillow, ID card, driver's license, power bank, charger, earphones, tissues, disinfectant wipes, umbrella, small umbrella, cash Tip: When visiting temples, do not speak loudly, do not mention minority political issues, do not wear skirts or shorts in monasteries, do not take photos inside the halls, turn the scripture cylinders gently clockwise, and likewise, circumambulate religious buildings and facilities clockwise. Gourmet Langmusi Nao La Tibetan Restaurant🍴 Fern root noodles with pork Hand-grabbed mutton Beef hot pot with maca Ginseng fruit yogurt, maca beef yogurt Stone-cooked mutton Tibetan rice Butter tea Yam beef brisket