Lanzhou-Linxia-Gannan-Aba-Chengdu 12-Day Self-Drive Guide: Hui, Tibetan, and Qiang Culture - Stunning Scenery - World Heritage

Summer is approaching, a great time for travel. Here we recommend a 12-day self-driving route from Lanzhou to Chengdu. Starting from Lanzhou, the route passes through Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture (Gansu), Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (Gansu), and Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture (Sichuan), arriving in Chengdu. The direct distance from Lanzhou to Chengdu is about 950 km, plus detours to surrounding attractions, the total distance is approximately 1,200 km.

This route features not only magnificent plateau and grassland scenery but also rich Hui, Tibetan, and Qiang cultural experiences, and passes world-class attractions like Jiuzhaigou, Huanglong, Mount Qingcheng, and Dujiangyan. It is truly a classic route!

D1 Arrive in Lanzhou, city tour, stay overnight in Lanzhou

Visit Xiguan Great Mosque - Baiyun Temple - Eighth Route Army Office Memorial Hall;

In the evening, rent a car and explore Zhengning Road Night Market (try the famous snack milk egg fermented rice wine).

D2 Lanzhou - Yongjing - Linxia, stay overnight in Linxia

Depart early for Yongjing county town for breakfast, then go to Liujiaxia Dam Dock;

Take a boat to Bingling Temple Grottoes, visit Liujiaxia Hydropower Station on the return; arrive in Linxia in the evening.

D3 Linxia city, stay overnight in Linxia

Morning: visit Hongyuan Garden - Wanshou Temple - Mosque Gongbei - Dong Mansion; evening: stroll along Beidajie Night Market.

D4 Linxia - Xiahe - Hezuo, stay overnight in Hezuo

Morning: depart for Xiahe, visit De'erleng Temple en route;

Noon: arrive in Xiahe town, afternoon visit Labrang Monastery, walk the longest prayer wheel;

Evening: arrive in Hezuo city, see Milarepa Buddha Pavilion (note: closed), stroll around Century Square.

D5 Hezuo - Luqu, stay overnight in Luqu

Early morning: visit Milarepa Buddha Pavilion, then head to Luqu, stop at Kabuji Liang viewing platform;

Lunch in Luqu town, then visit Zecha Stone Forest; return to Luqu in the evening.

D6 Luqu - Zoige, stay overnight in Zoige

Early morning: depart for Langmusi, pass through Watershed Viewing Platform, visit Gahai Lake en route;

Arrive at Langmusi before noon, visit Ganden Sertri Monastery (Gansu side), lunch in town;

Afternoon: head to Zoige, visit Huahu Lake en route; arrive in the evening, explore the county town before dark.

D7 Zoige - Chuanzhusi - Jiuzhaigou, stay overnight in Jiuzhaigou

Early morning: visit the First Bend of the Yellow River; noon: head to Chuanzhusi, visit Red Army Monument Park;

Afternoon (after 4 pm): go to Jiuzhaigou, pass by Jiafan Ancient City, arrive in the evening.

D8 Visit Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area, stay overnight in Jiuzhaigou

Full day at Jiuzhaigou, including Zechawa Gully - Rize Gully - Shuzheng Gully.

D9 Jiuzhaigou - Huanglong - Songpan, stay overnight in Songpan

Early morning: depart for Huanglong, visit Huanglong Scenic Area (Jade Pond, Huanglong Cave, etc.);

Evening: return to Songpan, visit Songpan Ancient Town.

D10 Songpan - Maoxian - Wenchuan - Dujiangyan, stay overnight in Dujiangyan

Morning: depart for Maoxian, visit China Ancient Qiang City;

Pass through Wenchuan, visit Luobu Qiang Village; head to Dujiangyan, evening enjoy Night Beer Corridor.

D11 Visit Mount Qingcheng or Back Mount Qingcheng, stay overnight in Dujiangyan

D12 Visit Dujiangyan Scenic Area, then to Chengdu, end of trip

Morning: visit Dujiangyan Scenic Area (Songmao Ancient Road - Erwang Temple - Anlan Bridge - Fish Mouth - Flying Sand Weir - Lidui - Baopingkou);

Afternoon: head to Chengdu, return car, evening stroll at Jinli or Kuanzhai Alley, end of trip.

Below is a location map of attractions along the route:

◎ Why design this route? I remember years ago a TV commercial promoting "Beautiful Gannan" – I've always yearned to go! Starting from Lanzhou is the most convenient for visiting Gannan, then south to the famous town of Langmusi (which also marks the Gansu-Sichuan border), followed by the renowned Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong, so I decided to continue south to Chengdu.

◎ How about car rental and return? We flew from Beijing to Lanzhou, rented a car and drove to Chengdu to return it, then flew back from Chengdu to Beijing. We used SH-ZH car rental. In fact, during peak season (summer), car rental costs are higher in Gansu, and returning the car in Chengdu incurred an extra 2,300 yuan for cross-city return. When returning, we found that renting in Chengdu and returning in Lanzhou would be much cheaper (no more than 1,000 yuan).

◎ Why not drive the whole trip? First, time constraints. Balancing work and travel makes it hard to spare enough time. I envy those who can take a month-long road trip.

Also, when I was younger, I loved self-driving trips, but after countless journeys, the downsides became increasingly apparent: time-consuming, physically draining, and diminishing enthusiasm. So in recent years, I've rarely taken ultra-long road trips.

Of course, self-driving also has advantages like cost savings and spontaneity. Ultimately, it's a trade-off between spending money for time or time for money. I also dream that one day, perhaps after retirement, I'll drive across the country again and visit every province.

◎ Why no return trip? Again, limited time. If you want to add a return route, you can take the line Chengdu - Mianyang - Guangyuan - Longnan - Dingxi - Lanzhou, which is also a great route without backtracking.

◎ How full is the itinerary? Relatively relaxed, especially the later days, intentionally planned as a rest after the earlier "trekking through mountains and rivers." In fact, the more you travel, the more you understand: travel is not about checking in at spots to prove you've been there, but about appreciating, feeling, and absorbing knowledge, immersing yourself completely.

Therefore, don't pack the itinerary too full – leave room for yourself! With 20 years of travel experience, it all becomes a treasure of life!

◎ Road conditions? Are they safe? Road conditions are good throughout, so safety is assured. Only the road to Luobu Qiang Village in Wenchuan is uphill and narrow. Also, when doing pre-trip research, I saw reports of criminals extorting self-driving tourists in Sangke Grassland in Xiahe, so I excluded Sangke from the itinerary. Anyway, there are plenty of grassland views along the way.

Below is a detailed introduction to the itinerary. Please note the following explanations:

1) About mileage and time: The text gives driving distances and times between destinations; times are for reference only and depend on actual road conditions.

2) About accommodation: Preferences vary, so no specific recommendations are given. Just search and book on platforms like Ctrip. For less popular destinations like Linxia, Hezuo, Luqu, etc., you can also find accommodation upon arrival.

3) About meals: Only local food worth recommending is mentioned. For regular meals, just find something on the spot. In China nowadays, you never have to worry about finding food, haha...

4) About recommendation index: ★ indicates recommendation level, one star being the lowest, five stars the highest. This is just a personal ranking for reference.

D1 Lanzhou city

Attractions:

1) Xiguan Great Mosque ★★★: Free, distinctly Islamic style.

2) Baiyun Temple ★★★: Free, also called Lüzu Temple, built in 1837 (Daoguang era of Qing), one of Lanzhou's three temples, a tranquil place.

3) Eighth Route Army Office Memorial Hall ★★★: Free, detailed exhibits including a little-known history of Soviet Air Force aid to China.

Must-see attractions in Lanzhou include "Yellow River Iron Bridge ★★★★" and "Gansu Provincial Museum ★★★★★" (where the Bronze Galloping Horse is located). Since I've been before, they are not listed here.

Food:

1) Zhengning Road Night Market ★★★★★: A dazzling array of snacks – must try the milk egg fermented rice wine, featured on CCTV's "A Bite of China."

2) Dazhong Alley ★★★: A snack street; recommended: Du Ji Sweet Treats.

3) Yuebin Lou Beijing Cuisine Restaurant ★★★: A century-old establishment serving Beijing dishes and pastries.

4) Lanzhou Beef Noodle Soup ★★★: Locals don't call it "Lanzhou Lamian." So those shops named "Lanzhou Lamian" outside might not be authentic?

Years ago, Mazilu Beef Noodle Soup in Dazhong Alley was the most authentic, but it's gone now. Lanzhou people love beef noodles, and good shops have long queues at meal times, but personally I find the taste similar. You can search online for the top ten Lanzhou beef noodle shops and pick one nearby.

D2 Lanzhou - Yongjing - Linxia

Mileage: Lanzhou-Yongjing 77 km (about 1 hr 40 min), Yongjing-Linxia 52 km (about 1 hr 27 min).

Attractions:

1) Liujiaxia Dam Dock ★★: Purchase tickets here for the boat to Bingling Temple Grottoes, located across the reservoir. Speedboat and passenger boat are available; speedboat recommended (one-way 40 min). Departs when full; we waited only about ten minutes.

2) Bingling Temple Grottoes ★★★★: Built during the Western Qin period of the Sixteen Kingdoms, part of the "Silk Roads: the Routes Network of Chang'an-Tianshan Corridor," a World Heritage site.

3) Liujiaxia Hydropower Station ★★★: China's first million-kilowatt hydropower station, a large-scale project designed, constructed, and built entirely by China.

Other: You can stroll around Yongjing county town, through which the Yellow River flows; the area around the Yellow River Bridge is lively.

D3 Linxia city

Attractions:

1) Hongyuan Garden ★★: A Jiangnan-style garden set in an Islamic atmosphere.

2) Wanshou Temple ★★: The second largest Taoist temple in Northwest China, as famous as Kongtong Mountain, located on a slope in the northern suburb, offering a panoramic view of the city.

3) Mosque Gongbei ★★: Chinese Muslims call the tombs of Sufi masters, sect founders, patriarchs, and sages as Gongbei. The architecture incorporates Arab features built in Chinese palace style.

4) Dong Mansion ★★★: Former residence of Ma Buqing, deputy commander of the 40th Army Group of the National Revolutionary Army, once the headquarters of Wang Zhen's army before entering Qinghai. The brick and wood carvings are artistic masterpieces.

5) Linxia Museum ★★: If time permits, visit Linxia Museum – Islamic-style museums are rare.

Food:

1) Beidajie Night Market ★★★: Similar to Lanzhou's Zhengning Road Night Market but smaller, mainly halal snacks.

2) Beef Offal Shop ★★★★★: A small, unremarkable shop near Suoma Mosque. Beef offal soup with "big fried dough twists" – better than delicacies!

D4 Linxia - Xiahe - Hezuo

Mileage: Linxia-De'erleng Temple 77 km (about 1 hr 12 min), De'erleng Temple-Xiahe 30 km (about 40 min), Xiahe-Hezuo 76 km (about 1 hr 24 min).

Attractions:

1) De'erleng Temple ★★★: A Gelugpa (Yellow Hat) temple along the road to Xiahe, worth a stop. No entrance fee. When we arrived in the morning, all halls were closed, but if you are a Buddhist, kind lamas will open the doors for you to worship.

2) Labrang Monastery ★★★★★: Located in Xiahe county town, one of the six great monasteries of Tibetan Buddhism's Gelugpa sect. Vast in scale and high in status, it is a representative monastery in Gannan. It has the world's longest prayer wheel; you can walk around it to accumulate merit and pray for blessings for family and friends.

Other:

1) Xiahe is at about 3,500 m altitude; mild altitude sickness may occur.

2) Hezuo is the capital of Gannan Prefecture. In the evening, you can stroll around Century Square in the city center, which has a night market ★★ nearby.

D5 Hezuo - Luqu

Mileage: Hezuo-Luqu 84 km (about 1 hr 37 min), passing Kabuji Liang viewing platform.

Attractions:

1) Milarepa Buddha Pavilion ★★★★★: Located in the outskirts of Hezuo, a rare red Tibetan-style multi-story building. The pavilion is called nine stories but actually has eight; the ninth is a mandala painting on the roof. The lamas here provide excellent guided tours.

2) Zecha Stone Forest ★★★: A rare scenic area combining forest, grassland, and stone forest. It's on a side road, about 20-30 km without seeing anyone until the ticket office. Actually, there are quite a few visitors.

Other: There is also the popular Tibetan village of Zhagana nearby, which you could spend a day at. Due to distance, it is not included in this itinerary.

D6 Luqu - Zoige, Langmusi, Huahu, stay overnight in Zoige

Mileage: Luqu-Langmusi 86 km (about 1 hr 23 min), via Watershed Viewing Platform; Langmusi-Zoige 85 km (about 1 hr 33 min).

Attractions:

1) Gahai Lake ★★★★: A surprising and stunning freshwater lake on the grassland, absolutely beautiful!

2) Langmusi Town ★★★: Langmusi is not a monastery but a Tibetan-style town. Known for two things: it sits on the Gansu-Sichuan border (one side Gansu, the other Sichuan), and the Ganden Sertri Monastery on the Gansu side has sky burial ceremonies.

3) Ganden Sertri Monastery ★★★: On the Gansu side, a Gelugpa monastery. You might catch a sky burial – do you dare to watch?

4) Huahu Lake ★★★★: Now in Zoige County, Sichuan. A prairie lake comparable to Gahai, but much larger.

5) Zoige Grassland ★★★: The drive from Langmusi to Zoige county town goes through vast grasslands.

Other:

1) From Xiahe to Huahu, altitudes are around 3,400-3,500 m; usually no altitude sickness, but temperatures are much lower – wear a jacket even in midsummer.

2) After several days of beef and lamb, it's delicious at first, but after three or four days, you can't take it anymore. In Langmusi town, we finally saw Sichuan restaurants and eagerly ordered bitter melon scrambled eggs, stir-fried cauliflower, and a big bowl of clear soup – all vegetarian! So refreshing!

3) Once in Sichuan, there are many Sichuan restaurants. In Zoige county town, we had a dinner of "Mama's Rabbit Head" (Laoma Tu Tou).

D7 Zoige - Chuanzhusi - Jiuzhaigou

Mileage: Zoige - First Bend of the Yellow River 73 km (about 1 hr 40 min), Zoige-Chuanzhusi 143 km (about 2 hr 45 min), Chuanzhusi-Jiuzhaigou 87 km (about 1 hr 57 min).

Attractions:

1) First Bend of the Yellow River ★★★★: Planned to visit but couldn't due to road construction – a regret. Don't miss this attraction.

2) Red Army Monument Park ★★★: Located in Chuanzhusi. Like Langmusi, Chuanzhusi is a town, not a temple. The Red Army passed through here during the Long March, and the grasslands they crossed are the Zoige grasslands.

3) Jiafan Ancient City ★★: Not actually an ancient city, but the ruins of a garrison left by Songtsen Gampo's army when attacking the Tang Dynasty. Now a resort hotel, only 27 km from Jiuzhaigou entrance.

D8 Jiuzhaigou

Attractions:

Jiuzhaigou ★★★★★: World Natural Heritage site. "One returns from Jiuzhaigou without wanting to look at any water." Need I say more?

Food:

1) There's a Dico's fast food near the entrance – a "long-lost" delicious taste! Obviously, they know their location.

2) Grilled Yak Meat ★★★★: Available around hotels – yak meat hung on racks, freshly cut and grilled, with beer – heavenly!

Other: Walk from the hotel to the scenic area with the crowd. Driving is inconvenient due to crowds. Taxis are available, but a 2-3 km ride costs over 50 yuan. In 2004, the same trip cost only 4 yuan.

D9 Jiuzhaigou - Huanglong - Songpan

Mileage: Chuanzhusi-Huanglong 41 km (about 1 hr 15 min), Chuanzhusi-Songpan 17 km (21 min).

Attractions:

1) Huanglong ★★★★★: World Natural Heritage site. The main area is the Jade Pond – one word: beautiful!

2) Songpan Ancient Town ★★★★: Originally called Songzhou, built during the Hongwu era of Ming. Unique because the Min River flows right through the small town. We stayed at an inn where the restaurant was next to the rushing river – quite interesting.

Accommodation: Stay in the ancient town, not Chuanzhusi. In the evening, explore the lively night scene.

Other:

1) Huanglong's altitude is about 3,400 m (for the walking trails, not the peak). Watch out for altitude sickness.

2) On the last ridge before Huanglong, there is a viewing platform with views of Xuebaoding (5,588 m), the main peak of the Minshan Mountains. We were lucky to see a sea of clouds.

D10 Songpan - Maoxian - Wenchuan - Dujiangyan

Mileage: Songpan-Maoxian 138 km (2 hr 47 min), Maoxian-Wenchuan 41 km (49 min), Wenchuan-Dujiangyan 76 km (1 hr 15 min).

Attractions:

1) China Ancient Qiang City ★★★: Located in Maoxian county, a town in the Qiang region. A new attraction built after the earthquake; great for learning about Qiang culture.

2) Luobu Qiang Village ★★★★: East of Wenchuan, one of the world's largest and oldest yellow-mud Qiang villages, known as "China's No.1 Qiang Village" and "Street on the Clouds, Ancient Qiang King's Relic Capital." During the Wenchuan earthquake, the village was only 5 km from the epicenter, but only a few houses collapsed – a miracle! The village has old and new sections; the new was rebuilt after the quake.

Other:

1) Entering Maoxian, you gradually leave the western Sichuan plateau, and the temperature and humidity rise sharply – it becomes muggy and hot.

2) Maoxian is known for its green crisp plums ★★★★. Green plums that are crisp and sweet. Elderly women often sell them by the roadside, mostly from their own trees.

3) The road to Luobu Qiang Village is uphill and narrow – drive safely.

D11-D12 Dujiangyan - Chengdu

Mileage: Dujiangyan-Chengdu 57 km (58 min).

Attractions:

1) Mount Qingcheng ★★★★: "Mount Qingcheng is secluded," headquarters of the Qingcheng Sect (from martial arts novels), World Cultural Heritage.

2) Dujiangyan ★★★★: World-famous ancient Chinese water conservancy project, World Cultural Heritage, including Songmao Ancient Road - Erwang Temple - Anlan Bridge - Fish Mouth - Flying Sand Weir - Lidui - Baopingkou. Still in use today; when visiting, study its water control principles – you'll be amazed by ancient wisdom!

Food: Night Beer Corridor ★★★★, Laohao You Rabbit Head ★★★★

Other: The two scenic spots, Mount Qingcheng and Dujiangyan, are tricky timing-wise – half a day each is not enough, a full day is more than enough. If you visit Back Mount Qingcheng, it takes nearly a full day.

There are many more details in the itinerary, but due to space, I won't elaborate further. If you're interested or have questions, feel free to leave a comment or message me privately. As fellow travelers, I'm happy to share insights...

I'm @Qingquan Coffee (@清泉咖啡), a travel enthusiast who has traveled all over China! Welcome to follow!

Travelogue Index:

1. Itinerary Arrangement

2. Itinerary Q&A

3. Detailed Itinerary

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