Things to do in Maqin

The Bingling Temple Grottoes are hailed by scholars as an "encyclopedia of Chinese grottoes," holding an irreplaceable and important position in my country's grotto art. It is not only one of the three major grottoes in Gansu, but also the first Yellow River grotto on the Silk Road.

It's changed a lot; I haven't been here for ten years, but the scenery is still beautiful. The reservoir is azure, the Danxia landforms are magnificent, and the peaks stand tall. There are now man-made walking trails, which adds to the fun, and shuttle buses and escalators have been installed, making things much more convenient. Overall, it's quite good, and it's still the scenery I love!

Gangjia Grassland is located in Gangjia Township, Xiahe, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province, 33 kilometers north of Xiahe County, and is directly accessible by road. Gangjia Grassland is a meadow grassland, vast and boundless, with an average altitude of more than 3,000 meters. It is one of the main animal husbandry bases in Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. There is a reception desk at the Muyun Tent Camp, which prepares fresh milk tea, tsampa, Tibetan buns, hand-pulled mutton and other Tibetan specialties for tourists. It also prepares grassland tourism programs such as horses, yaks, shooting bonfire parties, etc. for tourists. Visitors can fully experience the mysterious and simple Tibetan customs here.

As the first stop in Gannan from Linxia, ​​it's a pretty good tourist attraction, with all three viewing platforms worth taking photos at. However, even during the off-season holidays, the shuttle buses are hard to find, so I can only imagine how ridiculous the queues will be during the summer peak season.

対華夏文化要更深入瞭解4千年前的演變和西寧的扮演重要角色，這博物院有很多的資料。近年來考古隊伍在西北這塊地域也交出漂亮的成績。信息量高。陳列很條里。值得一游。

Labrang Monastery is truly a dream destination when the weather is perfect! The golden roofs gleam under the blue sky and white clouds, and the entire monastery appears exceptionally solemn and magnificent in the high-altitude sunshine. As a world-renowned center of Tibetan studies, its prayer wheel corridor stretches for 3.5 kilometers with over 2,000 prayer wheels. Walking clockwise with the pilgrims, the sunlight filters through the eaves, casting warm glow on the prayer wheels and red walls, creating an incredibly atmospheric experience. Climbing the Gongtang Pagoda offers a panoramic view of the golden roofs, white stupas, and brown-red monks' quarters layered upon each other, with rolling mountains and grasslands in the distance – a truly expansive vista. If you're lucky, you might even witness monks debating, their gestures and clapping adding to the captivating atmosphere.

Heimahe is a scenic spot beside Qinghai Lake, with magnificent sunrises and sunsets, bright starry sky, rich Tibetan folk customs, and convenient transportation and accommodation. It is a good place for sightseeing, photography and experience.

🌿 What a magical place Ruoergai is! Located in Aba Prefecture, Sichuan Province, "Ruoga" in Tibetan means "the happy home of yaks." At an altitude of 3300-3600m, it's one of China's largest plateau wetlands. A "water tower" on the upper reaches of the Yellow River, it contributes over 30% of the river's water resources. The peat bogs act like giant sponges, absorbing water in the rainy season and releasing it in the dry season. In short: low clouds, wild grasslands, and swift yaks. 📸 Must-see attractions: Two stunning views 🌸 Flower Lake: Flowers bloom from June to August, and black-necked cranes are a common sight. Go between 7-8 am for the morning mist, waterbirds, and reflections—a perfect screensaver! 🌊 First Bend of the Yellow River: Climb to the viewing platform two hours before sunset; the Yellow River turns into an orange-red ribbon—a breathtaking sight that will leave your memory running low. 🎉 Culture + Red-themed Surprises 🐎 Ando Horse Racing Festival: July 16-20, 2026, Red Star Town, Re'er Grassland, Sichuan, Gansu, and Qinghai riders race. 🙏 Dujiong Festival: Chanting scriptures for blessings, burning incense for sacrifice, a tradition spanning 1250+ years. 💃 Evening Square Guozhuang Dance: Can't dance? Just sway along and have fun. 🇨🇳 Red-themed Attraction: The Red Army's seven-day, seven-night march across the grasslands in 1935. Visit the "Dawn of Victory" monument in Banyou Village and the Brazil Conference Memorial Hall for quiet reflection and deep respect. 🐎 Activities: Don't just get out of the car for photos 1. 🐎 Horse Riding: 80 RMB/30min, 120 RMB/hour at the scenic area's horse farm. 1. **For a more adventurous experience:** Horseback riding 15km from Tangke Town to the Yellow River (3-4 hours, 200-300 RMB/person). Includes butter tea and tsampa along the way. 2. **Spend a day with local herders:** Milking cows, making butter tea, and herding livestock. Advance booking is required. Wear long pants and long sleeves, and bring candy, stationery, and small gifts. 3. **Hiking:** 8km from the county town to the wetlands. Travel in groups, bring offline maps, water, and snacks. Signal strength is unpredictable; don't go alone. 4. **Stargazing:** Stay in a tent campsite. The Milky Way stretches across the sky between 0:00 and 2:00 AM. Temperatures are below 5℃; bring hand warmers, a thick coat, and a blanket. 5. **Horse Racing Festival:** Mid-July, a grassland version of Fast and Furious. 🍲 Eating in Ruoergai: A Taste Blend on the Plateau 🍲 Yak Hot Pot: Yak meat, cabbage, potatoes, and vermicelli in a copper pot, simmered in a rich broth—perfect for warming you up in the cold wind. 🥩 Hand-Pulled Lamb: Tibetan sheep raised in saline-alkali soil have a mild gamey flavor; dipped in salt, pepper, and garlic sauce, it's delicious to eat with your hands. 🍗 Cumin Lamb Ribs: Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with a satisfying crunch. 🧈 Butter Tea: Salty, savory, and rich; the first sip is like soup, the second is truly delicious, and it warms you up quickly. 🍵 Sweet Tea: Black tea + milk + sugar—similar to milk tea but more refreshing. 🥣 Yak Yogurt: Initially sour, but adding sugar or honey instantly transforms it into a sweet and sour treat. 🍚 Tsampa: Roasted barley flour and butter tea rolled into a dough—a herder's energy bar. 🍚 Fern root rice: Rice + fern root + white sugar + ghee, sweet but not greasy, a symbol of reunion. 🐟 Yellow River fish: Naked carp makes a delicious soup; the cold-water fish is flavorful with Sichuan peppercorns. 🐖 Fern root pig: Raised on wild mushrooms and ginseng fruit, thin-skinned and fragrant meat, a delicacy of the plateau. 🥟 Tibetan dumplings: Take a small bite to soak up the oil; a distant relative of the soup dumplings. 🍶 Highland barley wine: Slightly sour with a sweet aftertaste, paired with yak meat, the most enjoyable experience on the grassland. ⚠️ Restaurants are scarce outside the county town; bring your own food; during the off-season, shops close around 8 or 9 pm.

The museum boasts a rich and engaging collection, packed with substantial content that appeals to both adults and children, making it an educational and entertaining experience. The large, clearly labeled sand table, the lifelike plant and animal specimens, and the realistically recreated natural environments, along with its exhibits on geology, hydrology, and mineral resources, are all well worth seeing. A special mention goes to the incredibly kind staff; they noticed my friend wasn't feeling well and offered genuine help and care. The scenery of Qinghai Lake is beautiful, and so are the people!

Located in Xiahe County, Gannan, Sangke Grassland sits at an altitude of over 3,000 meters. Surrounded by mountains, it lies a vast, flat alpine grassland. This grassland retains its pristine beauty and boasts breathtaking scenery. Every snap is a stunning sight!