Things to do in Lintan
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Top 10 attractions in Lintan
Yeliguan Tourist Area
Yeliguan Tourist Area is located in the northeast of Lintan County, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province. It is located in the transition zone between the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and the Loess Plateau. It is a complex ecological tourist area on the northeast edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and the Qinling Fold Belt, integrating alpine lakes, Danxia landforms, subalpine meadows, and terraced flower fields. It is 150 kilometers away from the provincial capital Lanzhou and 90 kilometers away from Hezuo City, the capital of Gannan Prefecture. It consists of two connected areas, Chibi Valley and Tianchi Yehai, with a total area of 20.2 square kilometers. Among them, Tianchi Yehai is a high mountain barrier lake, surrounded by green mountains and clear water all year round; Chibi Valley was formed from the Jurassic period of the Mesozoic Era to the Tertiary period of the Cenozoic Era. The ochre-red Danxia cliffs stretch across, and the abrupt and towering peaks and stalagmites are of various shapes, which is a typical Danxia landform landscape. The Yeliguan Tourist Area is a natural ecological area in the upper reaches of the Yellow River where the ecological environment has maintained its original appearance. The original ecological natural landscape represented by the virgin forest and subalpine meadow and the cultural landscape of the Yeliguan plateau terraces complement each other and are picturesque. Historically, it was an important post station and gateway to Tibet on the "Ancient Tang-Tibet Road" and "Ancient Tea-Horse Road". The tourist area has been awarded the titles of National Geopark, National Forest Park, National Water Conservancy Scenic Area, National Sports Tourism Demonstration Base, and has won the titles of China's Top Ten Cultural Ecological Tourism Destinations, China's Most Internationally Influential Tourism Destinations, China's Top Ten Leisure Tourism Destinations, and China's Forest Oxygen Bar. It is known as "Shanshui Yeliguan, Ecological Grand View Garden" and "Window of Qinghai-Tibet, Eye of Gannan". The Attraction was rated as a national AAAA-level tourist Attraction in 2006, and has successively won the honorary titles of "Top Ten Tourist Attraction in Gansu Province", "Top Ten Tourist Attraction in Western China", "China's Cultural Ecotourism Destination", "China's Outstanding Tourist Attraction", "China's Top Ten Cultural Ecotourism Attraction", and "China's Top Ten Leisure Tourism Destinations". It was rated as "one of the 50 places to visit in a lifetime" by the famous American magazines "Vision" and "Exploration". In 2010, at the Macau Tourism Summit, the Yeliguan Scenic Attraction was awarded the honorary title of "China's Most Internationally Influential Tourist Destination". The Attraction has successfully hosted major tourism festivals and events such as the 2007 National Tug of War Championship, the Yeliguan Cup China Tug of War Open, the Gansu Lintan Tug of War Festival, the 6th and 11th China Nine-Color Gannan Shambhala Tourism Art Festival, and the Gannan Tibetan Legend Cycling Race. The delicacies of Yeliguan include traditional earthen pot chicken, hand-pulled lamb, calf meat, braised lamb, stewed rainbow trout, etc. Earthen pot chicken is made from free-range chickens raised by farmers here, and is a green delicacy. Wild vegetables include wild mushrooms, ferns, fungus, antlers, willow flowers, oolong dragon heads, etc. In addition to delicious food, Yeliguan also has many entertainment projects for you to choose from, such as rafting, slides, zip lines, etc. Rafting was once a primitive way for humans to wade in water, and it was all to meet people's living and survival needs at that time. But now rafting has gradually evolved into an outdoor sport. You can enjoy rafting on the Yemu River.Lintan · 43.2km from downtown
Yeliguan National Forest Park
Yeliguan National Forest Park is located in Yeliguan Scenic Area and is the main attraction of Yeliguan Scenic Area. The forest park is dominated by quiet forest scenery and beautiful mountains and waters, and is the main destination for tourists to visit Yeliguan. It costs about 200 yuan to charter a car from Yeliguan Town. It takes about 5-6 hours to visit the forest park. After entering the park, you can walk along the Xiangzigou Lianxi Plank Road, Huangnizi Primitive Forest Plank Road, and Luming Plank Road, and finally return to the entrance of Xiangzigou. The park is mainly composed of primitive forests and landscapes. There are dense forests, gurgling water, waterfalls, etc. along the way. It feels very pleasant to walk. You will also pass a sika deer breeding base in the middle, where you can take pictures of beautiful deer.Lintan · 35.5km from downtown
Lianhuashan Forest Park
Lianhua Mountain is located at the junction of Kangle County, Linxia and Lintan County, Gannan. It is commonly known as "Xikongtong" and is a holy place shared by Buddhism and Taoism. The whole mountain is made of limestone with scale-shaped faults, with sharp peaks that resemble lotus petals and a flat and round top that looks like a lotus core. It is named because the mountain resembles a blooming nine-petal lotus.Lintan · 46.1km from downtown
Jiuzhaigou National Park
Jiuzhaigou National Park is located in Jiuzhaigou County of Ngawa Prefecture. With its towering snow-capped peaks, dense forests, and vibrantly colored pools and shoals, crystal-clear streams meander through the forests and shallows. Combined with Tibetan wooden houses, prayer flags, and the unique traditional customs of the Tibetan and Qiang ethnic groups, Jiuzhaigou National Park is often referred to as a "beautiful fairyland". Jiuzhaigou National Park features a Y-shaped layout, consisting of three main valleys: Shuzheng Valley, Rize Valley, and Jiuzhaigou-Zechawa Valley, with a total length of over 50 km.The attraction is equipped with eco-friendly sightseeing vehicles that stop at designated stations. Visitors can wait at each station and conveniently tour various attractions within the site by taking the sightseeing vehicles.China · Jiuzhaigou
Zhuoni County Viewing Platform
Zhuoni · 11.5km from Lintan
Zha Ga Na
Zhagana, also known as Zhagala, is located in Diebu County, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. It is a small Tibetan village surrounded by a circle of pretty cliffs. It has beautiful and magical scenery and is one of the most beautiful places in the entire Gannan Tibetan area. The ancient wooden Tibetan houses in the village are built along the mountain, and the locals work quietly and simply between the hillsides and rivers, forming a beautiful pastoral scenery. Whether you want to sightsee, take photos, or visit the traditional life of the simple Tibetan people, this is a wonderful place that you cannot miss. Zhagana is located in the valley of Yiwa Township, Diebu County. It takes about 1 hour to drive from Diebu County and about 2 hours from Langmusi. Zhagana is suitable for visiting in July and August, when the grassland is green and the scenery is beautiful. Most tourists come from Langmusi when they take the Gannan-Sichuanbei route. The usual time to visit is to arrive in the afternoon of the same day and take a leisurely stroll in the village to enjoy the beautiful scenery. Stay in a Tibetan homestay for one night, and leave the next morning after taking pictures of the early morning clouds and sunrise. In addition, there is a two-day hiking route in the back mountain of Zhagana, where you can rent a horse in the village or walk there. Zhagana Village is divided into four small villages, from bottom to top, they are Dongwa Village, Yeri Village, Dari Village and Daiba Village. Dongwa Village and Daiba Village are about 5 kilometers apart, and there is a winding road connecting the four villages. You can walk or drive to visit and take photos one by one. It takes about 1 hour to walk from the bottom to the top. Driving in from the entrance of the village, the first place you arrive at is Dongwa Village at the foot of the mountain. There is a big stone here called Dashimen. The small hillside next to Dashimen is a good place for taking photos. Here you can look up and take pictures of the beautiful scenery of the village built along the mountain. The back of the village is wrapped by cliffs, and there is a Tibetan Buddhist temple on the top of the village. The scenery is fantastic and beautiful. Dongwa Village has a large population and is also a good place to stay. You can book a stay at a farmhouse here, and then walk or drive to several higher villages to play. It takes about 1 hour to walk to the higher place. Going up the mountain along the road, you will reach Yeri Village. Next to Yeri Village is a vast barley field where you can often see Tibetans busy in the fields. The scene is peaceful and simple. In addition, there is a house in Yeri Village where the famous traveler Joseph Locke once lived for more than a year, but now it can only be visited from the outside. Continue to go up, after passing Dari Village, there is a viewing platform with a wide view, suitable for taking bird's-eye views of the whole village. You can see the whole village and the fantastic rock wall behind. All the houses are old wooden roofs and earthen walls, which look simple and peaceful. Under the cliff, they form a beautiful picture scroll, which is also a wonderful place to take good photos. After taking the panoramic view, you can go back to Dongwa Village for accommodation. Daiba Village is relatively remote and there are fewer scenery to see, so you can skip it. In addition to taking photos in the afternoon, there are many other things to look forward to in Zhagana. Every morning, there are almost clouds and mists between the rock walls on the mountain, and the starry sky is beautiful and brilliant at night when the lights are off, which are good opportunities for taking photos. If you have enough time, you can also take 1-2 hours to climb the back mountain of Dongwa Village to see the temple on the top of the mountain. The houses you pass by along the way are all ancient buildings, and the wooden wedge-rivet structure is even more ancient and peculiar. If you are lucky, you can meet kind locals and be invited to their homes to taste traditional food such as tsampa butter tea and experience the simple enthusiasm of the locals. In addition, there is a two-day hiking route behind the village, which leads to the rarely visited lakes and stone forests with pristine and beautiful scenery. However, this route is only suitable for outdoor enthusiasts and requires camping for one night. When walking this route, you can rent a horse in the village and find a horseman to lead the way. Generally, a horse costs about 150 yuan a day.Diebu · 55.4km from Lintan
Huanglong National Scenic Area
Huanglong National Scenic Area is a Attraction famous for its fantastic and beautiful calcified pools. The water in the numerous calcified pools in the Attraction is crystal clear and colorful and very beautiful. There are also many natural landscapes such as forests, canyons, snow-capped mountains and waterfalls in the Attraction. It is known as the "Fairyland on Earth". Huanglong National Scenic Area is mainly divided into two parts, Huanglong Headquarters and Munigou. Huanglong Main Gou in Huanglong Headquarters is the main Attraction of Huanglong National Scenic Area, and is also the place generally referred to when talking about Attraction. The Attraction is located in Songpan County. The best time to visit here is in summer and autumn, when the lake is in its flood season, with a large pool area and beautiful scenery. In winter and early spring, the water volume is smaller, but the scenery is still good.China · Songpan
Kumbum Monastery
Kumbum Monastery is one of the important monasteries of the Gelug (Yellow Hat) sect of Tibetan Buddhism and the birthplace of Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Yellow Hat sect. The monastery features magnificent architecture, abundant treasures, and a strong religious atmosphere, making it one of the more popular travel destinations in Xining. Overview of the visit It has distinct differences in architectural layout compared to Han Chinese Buddhist temples in inland China: the complex here is not symmetrically arranged along a central axis. The monastery is an ancient architectural complex composed of numerous halls, scripture halls, stupas, and colleges, with each sutra hall, main hall, and stupa irregularly distributed on a small hill. Travelers can explore the site in a relatively free manner rather than following a straight path along a central axis. The Great Golden Roof Hall of Kumbum Monastery is the center of the entire architectural complex. It is said that Master Tsongkhapa was born here, and when he was born, his umbilical cord blood dripped on this spot, from which a bodhi tree grew. Later, a stupa was built around the tree, and a monastery was constructed, hence the name. Believers hold that this tree and stupa are the embodiment of the master. The three unique features of the attraction: butter sculptures, murals, and appliqué embroidery. Butter sculptures are made by mixing butter with various pigments to mold and carve into figures of Buddhas, people, flowers, birds, animals, and pavilions. Travelers can admire exquisite butter sculptures at the butter sculpture hall inside the temple (located far from the main gate). Vibrant centuries-old murals can be appreciated in the main halls, corridors, and front galleries of the temple. Appliqué embroidery involves cutting colored satin into desired shapes, such as Buddha figures or animals, stuffing them with wool or cotton, and embroidering them onto cloth hangings. In the temple's great sutra hall, two rare large appliqué embroidery pieces—"Sixteen Arhats Displaying Divine Powers" and "Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea"—hang on either side. The four major religious festivals (based on the lunar calendar): 1. Cham dance (14th day of the first month) and butter sculpture exhibition (15th day of the first month); 2. Cham dance (14th day of the fourth month), Buddha unveiling, and Cham dance (15th day of the fourth month); 3. Buddha unveiling, Cham dance (6th day of the sixth month), and golden Buddha procession (8th day of the sixth month); 4. Full-day Buddha unveiling (22nd day of the ninth month) and Cham dance (23rd day of the ninth month). During these festivals, activities like Buddha unveiling and ritual dances take place, attracting large crowds of devotees and travelers, creating a lively atmosphere.China · Xining
Lanzhou Danxia Geological Park
Lanzhou Danxia Geological Park is a key cultural tourism project in Gansu Province and a comprehensive cultural tourism initiative prioritized by the Lanzhou Municipal Committee and Government. Located by the Yellow River, the park is just 13 km from downtown Lanzhou and 30 km from Lanzhou Zhongchuan International Airport, making it one of the closest Danxia landform clusters to a major urban center in China. With a total planned area of 400 sq km and a core visiting area of 25 sq km in its first phase, it ranks among the largest discovered landscapes of its kind in the country. The park primarily features red mountain bay formations, along with spectacular Danxia cliffs, isolated peaks, secluded valleys, narrow gorges, and balancing rocks. Its colorful mountains set against winding waterways create a masterpiece of Danxia landform scenery. The attraction features seven viewing platforms showcasing the Danxia landforms: Silk Road Glow, Silk Road Eagle, Flying Apsaras Exploration, Nine-Colored Danxia, Danxia Reflecting Sky, Emerald Peaks Rippling Sky, and Danxia Summit Scenic View. It also includes the Ancient Silk Road Gateway, Shajing Tribe Cultural Square, Desert Bells Scenic Boulevard, and a 2,550m Danxia boardwalk viewing area. As a key cultural tourism project in the province, Lanzhou Danxia Geological Park adheres to the principles of "ecological protection, green development, preserving original features, and moderate development." Leveraging Lanzhou's unique resource advantages and focusing on the domestic tourism market, it aims to cultivate new growth drivers for Lanzhou's cultural tourism industry and establish a new highland for cultural tourism in the city.China · Yongdeng
Riyue Mountain
The Riyue Mountain are located on the route from Huangyuan to Qinghai Lake and serve as the only passage from Qinghai to Tibet. Legend has it that when Princess Wencheng entered Tibet, she shattered a stone mirror here that couldn't reflect her hometown, splitting it into two halves representing the sun and moon, hence the mountain's name. On either side of the mountain pass stand two small peaks, each featuring a pavilion—one for the sun andMoon PavilionTwo iconic buildings. visitors typically pass by Riyue Mountain on their way to Qinghai Lake from Xining. The area boasts lush grasslands, rolling mountains, and numerous prayer flags fluttering in the wind, creating a beautiful landscape. The attraction includes the Riyue Pavilion and...Moon PavilionThese are all imitation ancient structures, not actual historical relics, and you can also see the exterior from the mountain pass. Additionally, the Riyue Mountains (Sun and Moon Mountains) serve as the boundary between agricultural and pastoral areas, as well as between monsoon and non-monsoon zones. They also mark the westernmost edge of the Loess Plateau. When crossing the pass, you'll notice a striking contrast in the geographical views between the eastern and western sides, which is quite fascinating.China · Huangyuan
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Free things to do in Lintan
Yeliguan Tourist Area
Lintan · 43.2km from downtownYeliguan National Forest Park
Lintan · 35.5km from downtownBook now for tomorrow, Cancel anytimeLianhuashan Forest Park
Lintan · 46.1km from downtownJiuzhaigou National Park
China · JiuzhaigouBook now for tomorrowZhuoni County Viewing Platform
Zhuoni · 11.5km from LintanZha Ga Na
Diebu · 55.4km from LintanHuanglong National Scenic Area
China · SongpanBook now for tomorrowKumbum Monastery
China · XiningBook now for tomorrow, Cancel anytimeLanzhou Danxia Geological Park
China · YongdengBook now for tomorrow, Cancel anytimeRiyue Mountain
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What travellers say about Lintan
M43***254 October 2026
5.0
A two-day trip to Yeliguan in October: Day 1: 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM - Visit Yeliguan Tianchi Lake, 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM - View the Red Cliff Valley; Day 2: 11:30 AM - 3:30 PM - Spend most of the day exploring the forest park. Our group of nine, adults and children, leisurely strolled around, enjoying the beautiful scenery and feeling carefree. We truly experienced the breathtaking beauty of the forests ablaze with color, the golden hues carpeting the earth, and the exquisitely beautiful valley walls. It was a truly worthwhile trip! We look forward to experiencing the unique beauty of Yeliguan again in spring, summer, and winter.
Yeliguan Tourist Area
贩卖快乐的贝儿14 July 2025
5.0
- 冶海湖：又称“常爷池”，是高山堰塞湖，海拔2610米，湖长5公里。湖水清澈，四周群山环绕。 - 赤壁幽谷：赤壁幽谷深达20公里，谷底有小溪，两壁是褚红色沙砾岩体，形状千奇百怪。 - 莲花山：主峰海拔3578米，集险、奇、幽、秀于一体，远眺形似莲花，是佛道两教圣地。
Yeliguan National Forest Park
M29***6219 April 2020
5.0
Lianhuashan National Forest Park is located in Bajiao Township in the north of Lintan County. It is a holy place shared by Buddhism and Taoism, and a tourist resort for summer vacation. It is 15 kilometers east of Yiliguan Town, 58 kilometers north of Kangle County, 170 kilometers from the provincial capital Lanzhou, 177 kilometers west of Hezuo, and 170 kilometers east of Dingxi. The roads extend in all directions. The absolute height of the peak is 3,578 meters, and the relative height is 1,300 meters.
Lianhuashan Forest Park
M65***5917 October 2026
5.0
Jiuzhaigou is a fairyland left behind by the heavens on earth. It is so beautiful that it makes you want to cry. The Pearl Shoal Waterfall, the filming location of the 1986 TV series Journey to the West, is even more unforgettable. Its water either cascades down in thousands of strands with a graceful posture that makes people linger, or it gallops like ten thousand horses with a huge momentum that makes people feel awe. "After visiting Jiuzhaigou, you will not see any water again." It is indeed well-deserved!
Jiuzhaigou National Park
闻嘉流浪Noel14 August 2026
5.0
As someone from the south, this was the first time I'd ever seen rapeseed flowers bloom so vibrantly in the height of summer—this was the rapeseed field on the Zhuoni Plateau. Compared to the delicate beauty of the rapeseed flowers on the plains of southern China, the plateau fields were purer, exuding a wild and untamed spirit. Here a patch, there a patch, they effortlessly filled my entire field of vision.
Zhuoni County Viewing Platform
139***4515 October 2026
5.0
Zhagana, meaning "stone box" in Tibetan, is a cloud-shrouded stone city located in Diebu County, Gannan Prefecture, Gansu Province. The several interconnected small villages are beautiful, truly deserving of the title "Zhagana of the World."
Zha Ga Na
M27***3717 October 2026
4.0
Overall, I wouldn't give it a 5 out of 5. The best viewpoint was too far away; even with the sightseeing bus, you still had to walk a considerable distance. Taking the cable car down the mountain meant missing the scenery, but not taking the cable car was exhausting—it was all stairs, and our joints couldn't take it. All 12 of us were completely exhausted; some were sick, some had leg cramps, and some even had to walk backwards. Four of us even gave up on the Five-Colored Pool when we had only a few hundred meters left. The scenery was still spectacular and unique, but when you're not feeling well, your enjoyment of the scenery is greatly diminished. In the end, I regretted not coming and enduring this ordeal. Jiuzhaigou is much more humane and well-planned.
Huanglong National Scenic Area
小胖鸡出门减肥17 October 2026
5.0
We were lucky enough to encounter a heavy snowfall, which added a wonderful element to our trip to Kumbum Monastery. The Tibetan temples blended beautifully with the falling snow, creating a truly picturesque scene. The photos and videos turned out amazing – a delightful surprise! 👍🏻👍🏻
Kumbum Monastery
kiu先生13 October 2026
5.0
The scenic area is large and clean, with a refreshing atmosphere. There are so many animals, the shows are fantastic, the kids had a blast, and the visit was very comfortable. The staff were very welcoming, and the routes were well-designed – it was so convenient! I'll definitely come back next time.
Lanzhou Danxia Geological Park
M43***5927 August 2026
4.0
Scenery: It's worth going to Riyue Mountain just for the scenery in picture 1. It's on the main loop and the scenery is truly unique. The rocks at the base have Tibetan characters written on them; although I can't understand them, they still feel very sacred and auspicious.
Impressions: Overall, besides picture 1, there's not much else to see. The surrounding environment is similar to picture 4.
The wind there is really strong. If you go in winter, be sure to wear a mask, hat, sunglasses, and gloves.
Riyue Mountain
