Ganjia Grassland in Xiahe County, Gannan
Ganjia Grassland is a typical plateau grassland and ideal natural pasture. Located in a parallel valley to xiahe, it offers a glimpse into the lives of the semi-nomadic Tibetans living in the Amdo region. Unlike the Sangke Grasslands that lie closer to Xiahe, the Ganjia Grassland have yet to be turned into a commercial tourist attraction.
Type: Nature Parks
Best Time to Visit: August of each year
Chinese Name:甘加草原
Recommended Visiting Time:One day
Open Hours: All day
Admission Fee: Free
Address: Ganjia Township, Xiahe County, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture(甘南藏族自治州夏河县甘加乡)
Ganjia Grassland
Ganjia Grassland is a typical plateau grassland and ideal natural pasture. Located in a parallel valley to Xiahe, it offers a glimpse into the lives of the semi-nomadic Tibetans living in the Amdo region. Unlike the Sangke Grasslands that lie closer to Xiahe, the Ganjia Grassland have yet to be turned into a commercial tourist attraction. Many denizens of the Ganjia Grassland still keep to their traditional lifestyle herding yaks. During the chilly winters, many of them stay mud-brick homes and head back to tent living during the warmer months.
Why is Ganjia Grassland So Special
There is a reception desk for the Muyun Tent Camp, which prepares the Tibetan specialties such as fresh milk tea, Zangba(糌粑), Zangbao(藏包), and hand-caught lamb for tourists. In addition, tourists can enjoy the mysterious and simple Tibetan customs here such as shooting, bonfire evenings and other grassland tourism programs.
Where is Ganjia Grassland
Ganjia Grassland is located in Ganjia Township, Xiahe, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province, and belongs to meadow grassland with an average elevation of over 3,000 meters. It is one of the main animal husbandry bases in Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. It is an extremely valuable natural tourist attraction With a small population and a vast expanse of grassland.
Main Attractions of Ganjia Grassland
Ganjia Grassland
Ganjia Grassland is a typical highland meadow and ideal natural pasture. Every summer, the whole grassland is green, like a natural green carpet. The blue sky, white clouds and green grass are all integrated. The Yangqu River(央曲河) and the Yangla(央拉河) River are on the grassland, just like a white Hada falling on the grassland.
Baishiya Temple
The Ganjia Baishiya Temple was founded in the 14th century. At present, there are more than 100 monks in the temple. They strictly abide by the Buddhist precepts, study the regulations of Buddhism, learn the Tibetan language, rhetoric, medical treatment, Astronomical calendar and other knowledge here.
Bajiao Ancient Town
Bajiao Ancient is located in the north of Xiahe County. It is located on the platform where the Yangqu River and the Yangla River meet in the Ganga Grassland. It is a military town where the ancient central government and the ethnic minority dynasty fought fiercely.
A number of archaeological investigations have proved that Bajiao Ancient Town preserves a large number of cultural relics of the Southern and Northern Dynasties(南北朝) and the different eras of the Tang(唐朝), Song(宋朝), Yuan(元朝), Ming(明朝) and Qing(清朝) dynasties, which explains the development history of the ancient Silk Road Henan Road.
How to Get There
Take the Bus to Xiahe First:
1. There are five buses from Lanzhou South passenger station to Xiahe at 7:30, 8:30, 9:30, 14:00 and 15:00 every day. The bus takes about 4 hours and the fare is 75 yuan.
2. There are half buses to Xiahe every half hour from 7:00-16:00 every day in the North Station of Hezuo city. The journey is about 1 hour, and the fare is about 15 yuan.
3. There is a bus to Xiahe at 14:00 every day in Langmusi town. It takes about 4 hours, and the fare is 70 yuan.
From Xiahe, you can charter a car to visit bajiaocheng, baishiya cave and Zuohai temple. The cost of charter is about 150 yuan / car.
Useful Travel Tips
Grassland Facilities
Ganjia grassland has set up Muyun tent camp since June 2018, which is specially for tourists to stay and experience the prairie feelings. There are 11 tents in the camp area, one for exhibition hall, and the other 10 for tourists’ accommodation, including 4 big tents and 6 small tents, which are divided into single and double beds. The camp provides Tibetan food, Sichuan food, roast whole sheep and other food services, as well as horse riding, temple praying and worship, bonfire party and other activities.
Nearby Attractions in Gannan
● Langmusi Monastery in Gannan, Gansu
● Sangke Grassland in Xiahe, Gannan
● Labrang Monastery in Xiahe County, Gannan