Gansu Local Customs and Grassland Tour

　　Gansu has historically been a multi-ethnic province. In Gansu, a magnificent place, from virgin forest to Gannan grassland, from the Qilian Mountains to the oasis of Gobi, from the Yellow River coast to the Loess Plateau, there distribute 56 ethnic groups like Han, Hui, Tibetan, Dongxiang, Tu, Man, Yugur, Bao’an, Mongolia, Sarah and Kazak, etc., of which Yugur, Bao’an, and Dongxiang are the special nationalities in Gansu. Different ethnic groups in Gansu with their distinctive ethnic customs, religious cultures, and different styles, preserve their unique traditional customs. They fully show the special life styles of each nationality living here. Especially the Hui, Tibetan, Yugur, Kazak, Mongolia and other national ghettos have become famous tourist resorts.

　　Starting from Lanzhou, via Linxia, Gannan, to the southeast for 700KM, you can reach Jiuzhaigou of Sichuan. It is the best line linking Gansu and Sichuan.

　　The main scenic spots:

　　The Yellow River Three Gorges of Yongjing (AAAA)

　　The Yellow River Three Gorges consist of Bingling Gorge, Liujia Gorge, and Yanguo Gorge. The scenic spots mainly include the Liujia Gorge Reservoir, Bingling Temple Grotto, Bingling Stone Forest, the National Geological Park of Dinosaur Footprint Fossils of Liujia Gorge, and Tai Chi Island.

　　Singing Pine Rocks (AAAA)

　　Located in the small gorge at Diaotan, Hezheng, Hezheng Singing Pine Rocks are 146 kilometers away from Lanzhou and 65 kilometers from Linxia. The highest mountain is 2730 meters above sea level. The scenic area covers 33 square kilometers, consisting of four mountains: Nanwutai Mountain, Xifangding Mountain, Jade Emperor Mountain and Cockscomb Mountain. Since the Chenghua years of Ming Dynasty, ad 1465 ~ 1487, there have been successively built many temples including Jade Emperor Temple, Buddha Hall, Goddess Palace, and Dugang Temple, etc.. The temples are embedded in the steep precipices and cliffs and shadowed by the green trees, appearing majestic and magnificent. Here the mountains are tower in the sky and the ancient pine trees are touch the clouds. All the year round, the mountains are shrouded with clouds, and there are streams gurgling, birds singing, and flowers blossoming. The scenery is charming. Whenever the mountain wind blows, the pine trees make a sound like that of wild waves, echoing in the valley.

　　Hezheng Museum of Ancient Animal Fossils

　　Located in the east of Hezheng, Hezheng Museum of Ancient Animal Fossils covers an area of 19.2 acres and the construction area is of 3850 square meters. The total investment reaches about 15,000,000 Yuan. Since the 50s of the last century, a lot of precious ancient animal fossils have been unearthed in Hezheng County. So far more than 5700 fossil specimens have been collected. Hezheng is rich in ancient animal fossil resources including 6 world records. They have very high scientific research, collection and Exhibition values. In September, 2003, the museum of Period 1 opened and there exhibit altogether 1135 fossil specimens and more than 12,000 fossils, among which Hipparion fossil reserves and the quantity of skull fossil specimens are the first of the Eurasian continent. Hezheng Sheep fossil belongs to a unique genus in the world, not only filling in a blank of mammalian fossils in China, but also providing an important scientific basis for the study of the evolution of the ancient geography and climate of the third period of the late Cenozoic era of China.

　　Linxia Red Park

　　Linxia Red Park is Located at Hongyuan Road, Linxia. The construction in the park is a combination of delicate Jiangnan garden style and grand local and ethnic buildings of Linxia. The pavilions are of chic modeling with cornices, carved beams and painted rafters, showing the exquisite carving skills. The courtyard-style park is characteristic of classical buildings and potted landscapes.

　　Xiahe Labrang Monastery (AAAA)

　　Located1 kilometer away to the west of Xiahe County, Xiahe Labrang Monastery is one of the six famous monasteries of the Gelug Sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Founded in 1709, it is also the world's largest Tibetan university. The annual Buddhist Meeting held on the 15^th of lunar January and July is a grand ceremony of Buddhism.

　　Milarepa Buddha Pavilion

　　Founded in 42 Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty (AD 1777), Milarepa Buddha Pavilion has a history of more than 200 years. It was built by Lobsang Daji to honor Milarepa, the founder of the Kagyu sect of Tibetan Buddhism, according to the master’s command. The construction imitates the style of the nine-layer blockhouse. It is 40 meters high and the total construction area is of 4028 square meters. The architecture reflects the style of “no stone inside and no wood outside", combining Tibetan Fort and Chinese Buddha Pavilion into an organic whole. There enshrined and worshipped are the founders of different sects of Tibetan Buddhism headed by the esteemed Milarepa, many Buddha statues of Micheng Four headed by Hevajra, and other two hundred and fifteen Buddhist statues like Buddha, Bodhisattvas, Buddha Protector and God of Wealth. The total number of Buddhas in the Buddha Pavilion reaches one thousand two hundred and seventy-two.

　　Luqu Langmusi

　　Located in the border area of Gansu, Qinghai, and Sichuan provinces, Luqu Langmusi is in the south of Luqu County. It was founded in 1748 and the scenery there is beautiful. Over the years it has always been the travel resort for the tourists both at home and abroad, especially those from Western European countries and self-service tourists.

　　Maqu Scenic Area of the First Curve of the Yellow River

　　Here are lush grassland, towering snow mountains and vast pastures. With charming landscapes, it is rated the most beautiful wet grassland of China by the Chinese National Geographic Magazine.

　　Luqu Gahai Lake

　　Luqu Gahai Lake is the largest freshwater lake of the Gannan Grassland, surrounded by excellent natural pastures. There are rivers flowing, lush vegetation growing, and various rare birds inhabiting the lakeside.

　　Lintan Yeliguan Scenic Area (AAAA)

　　Located in the northwest of Lintan County, Lintan Yeli Guan Scenic Area consists of some scenic spots: Yehai Lake, Huangnianzi, Chibi Valley and the Yeliguan National Forest Park. In ancient times, Yeliguan was an important military fortress.

　　Zhuoni Dayu Valley

　　Zhuoni Dayu Valley is about 30 km away from Zhuoni. In the valley there are springs twisting and singing. The valley is deep, turning about with changing sceneries. It is more an primary biosphere of a rich variety of precious plant resources.

　　Tips:

　　The whole journey is of 249 km long: 149 kilometers from Lanzhou to Linxia, 100 kilometers from Linxia to Gannan. The journey of 390 kilometers from Luqu to Jiuzhaigou is the best line to Jiuzhaigou, with no debris flow and no going back. 343 km to the Northwest is Xining, Qinghai, where you can take the connection tour. Transportation: by bus.