Things to do in Darlag

King Gesar Shilong Palace

King Gesar's Lion and Dragon Palace is located about 18 kilometers west of Dari County, under a hillside on the south bank of the Yellow River. . Today's Lion and Dragon Palace is relatively quiet, with its gleaming golden roof and crimson walls exuding a serious religious atmosphere. In the monastery, there is a large statue of King Gesar, and there are also exquisite statues and many precious works of art in the hall. Among them, the statues of King Gesar and his wife, and the statues of more than 30 generals under King Gesar are very special and worth seeing.

Golog Chalong Monastery

ma yu ge sa er lin ka

No. 8 of Best Things to Do in Aba Prefecture

The First Bend of The Yellow River

The Yellow River converges with the White River in Tangke Town, Zoige County, Sichuan, forming the magnificent First Bend of The Yellow River. Here, you can admire the peculiar and spectacular natural view, making it a favorite spot for photographers. To witness the First Bend of The Yellow River, you can climb the steps or take the elevator to reach the viewing platform. The scenery from the platform will make you forget all your worries, and it's also an ideal location to watch the sunset. The winding Yellow River, bathed in the glow of the setting sun, appears exceptionally enchanting, as if "the sunset and a lone wild duck fly together, while the autumn water blends with the vast sky in one hue."

No. 9 of Best Things to Do in Aba Prefecture

Huahu Eco-Tourism Area

The Zoige Flower Lake is located in the Re'er Dam Grassland at north of the Zoige County. The shore is densely reeded and the Flower Lake is named after a small white flower in the lake. In addition, here is the place to watch the black-necked cranes, which are under special state protection. Huahu Lake is tremendous, and the submerged is an incomprehensible marsh. Under the daylight, the water surface reflects distinctive splendor and is loaded with hearts. The lake is encompassed by huge rich reeds, which are influencing with the breeze, mirroring the quietness and changes of the lake.

No. 10 of Best Things to Do in Aba Prefecture

LianBaoYeZe Scenic Spot

LianBaoYeZe Scenic Spot is located at the junction of Sichuan, Gansu, and Qinghai provinces, forming part of the southern branch of the Bayan Har Mountains. Spanning over 500 sq km and situated 39 km from Ngawa County, it stands as the foremost sacred mountain in Amdo Tibetan region, often hailed as the "Oriental Fantasy World—Source of Shu Mountains and Kunlun Celestial Ladder." This provincial-level ecotourism demonstration zone features spectacular peaks, unique rock formations, glacial relics, and snow-capped mountain lakes. It's a premier destination for sightseeing, photography, adventure, scientific research, mountaineering, and specialized activities like exploring glacial traces, traversing stone castles, connecting with sacred peaks and lakes, listening to Gesar epic legends, and experiencing drone-assisted tours. In 2022, it was officially designated as a national 4A-level tourist attraction.

No. 14 of Fall Viewing Attractions in Aba Prefecture

Hongyuan - Ruoergai Prairie

Hongyuan-Zuoergai Grassland is located in Hongyuan County and Ruoergai County in the northeast of Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture. It consists of meadow grassland and swamp. It is an excellent destination to enjoy grassland scenery and Tibetan customs. Summer is the golden season for grasslands, where the weather is high and the visibility is high. Tourists can camp on the grass, looking around, the sky is amazingly blue, the grass is dazzling green, and the flowers are dotted in it, the fragrance is fragrant and the beauty is intoxicating. Here you can enjoy it slowly and savor it carefully. Pick up the camera and take a five-star landscape blockbuster.

No. 14 of Night Attractions in Gansu

Sangke Grassland

Sangke Grassland is a meadow grassland on the northeastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, with an average altitude of over 3,000m and a grassland area of approx. 70 sq km. The grassland is surrounded by mountains, and the Daxia River winds its way from south to north. It is part of the Dajiutan Grassland in Sangke Town. "Dajiutan" means "horse-racing beach" in Tibetan and has traditionally been a natural pasture for Tibetan herders to graze livestock and race horses. The grassland is lush with green grass, wildflowers cover the gentle slopes, and white tents are scattered throughout. Horseback riding is a common experience here, usually with a groom leading the horse at a slow pace. Walking up the hillside behind the grassland, the grass is denser, wildflowers grow in patches, and the view is even more expansive. The pasture guesthouses on the grassland offer Tibetan food and tent stays. The plateau sky is clear at night, making it perfect for stargazing. The local Tibetan people have a tradition of the Xianglang Festival around the sixth lunar month, when herders set up tents on the grassland with their families to have picnics, sing, and dance the Guozhuang.

No. 7 of Night Attractions in Ganzi Prefecture

Sertar

Sertar is located on the southeastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, in the border area between Sichuan and Qinghai in the northern part of Ganzi Prefecture. The town is the seat of the county government, located in Seke Town. The small town is not large, with several streets laid out in a grid pattern, serving as a common stopover and supply station for tourists entering the Sertar area. "Sertar" means "golden horse" in Tibetan; legend has it that it was named after a horse-shaped piece of gold discovered in Setang in the early years. Prayer flags flutter on the streets, Tibetan restaurants serve butter tea and tsampa, and locals wearing Tibetan robes walk among them. The town is at an altitude of approx. 3893 m, with long winters and no summer. The oxygen content in the air is lower than in the plains, so those arriving for the first time should slow down and prepare enough warm clothing. The town is surrounded by open alpine pastures. In summer, the grass turns green, and yaks and herders' tents are scattered throughout. On the outskirts of the town stands a nine-story demon-subduing pagoda, a stone-and-wood structure that is round inside and square outside, serving as a striking local landmark. The Sertar area is one of the birthplaces of the "Epic of King Gesar," and the Sertar Tibetan Opera is listed as an intangible cultural heritage. Traditional customs, such as the herders' annual Golden Horse Festival, continue to this day. Many people travel specifically to Sertar to catch a glimpse of the Larung Gar Buddhist Academy, located approx. 20 km from the town—the red monk dwellings covering the mountainside from the valley floor to the ridge are a spectacular sight.

Longyangxia Ecological Tourism Resort

The Earth Forest Geological Park is located 13 km northwest of Longyangxia Town, stretching over 50 km. Formed by tectonic movements 23 million years ago, it is one of the world's typical Tertiary stratum-differentiated earth forests, ideal for admiring sunrise, sunset, and starry skies. Don't miss the "Mars walk" photo spot in the attraction! Travel guide: Hike the loop trail (1.5 km in total) to visit Fushan, see Mani stones, observe the meditation retreat, witness the "Camel asking Buddha" and "Ten thousand Buddhas worship" sights, and explore the sinkhole. Then, ascend to Fushan's Wisdom Summit or take the Fortune Path—and cap it off with the glass walkway (approx. 1.5 hr of exploration). Longyangxia Scenic Spot is an artificial lake on the main stream of the Yellow River with a storage capacity of 383 km². It never freezes over on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Visitors can take a boat to admire the dam and tour Longyang Lake. The attraction features supporting facilities such as off-road motorcycles, a Xinhua Bookstore cultural creative book bar, a Tianyoude cultural experience hall, and a Longyangxia Scenic Spot cultural creative store. Travel guide: Check in at the plaza with pigeons and the big apricot tree upon entering the park—ride shared bicycles to the off-road motorcycle and karting venue—experience off-road motorcycles and karting—visit the Tianyoude highland barley wine cultural experience hall—head to the dock to take a boat and view the Longyangxia Hydropower Station—enjoy lakeside activities and photo opportunities—explore the attraction's cultural creative store and Xinhua Bookstore cultural creative book bar Cliff scenic area is an ancient and precipitous gorge in the upper reaches of the Yellow River, with a drop of 600 m. The attraction features an approximately 8 km-long hiking trail built along the cliff, offering views of peculiar rocks in the canyon, outdoor hiking, and opportunities for nature photography to observe golden eagles diving for prey. Travel guide: Visit the bharal service area to see golden eagles and the gorge entrance, admire the emerald Yellow River—view peculiar rocks along the way—swing on the cliff swing—check in at the golden eagle service area—visit the Haizi West Peninsula cliff café (approx. 2.5 hrs of exploration). Cruise exploration area. This is the first grand canyon after the Yellow River flows through the Qinghai grassland, and also the most magnificent canyon group on the Yellow River. Stretching 33 km in total, the narrowest part of the canyon is only 60 m. The emerald Yellow River rushes down, carving out a steep and spectacular alpine canyon. Inside the canyon, gullies crisscross, strange peaks and perilous rocks stand, and cliffs tower thousands of meters high. Its ruggedness is unparalleled in the entire Yellow River basin, showcasing features of "uniqueness, serenity, depth, peculiarity, danger, and mystery." Take a cruise into the depths of the canyon to explore the ancient Yellow River basin.