Gannan Mysterious Land 2025
Explore Gannan's enchanting "Little Tibet," a vibrant and untouched realm lauded by Chinese National Geographic as a must-see destination in a lifetime's wanderings. Immerse yourself in the exquisite blend of Tibetan traditions and breathtaking highland vistas. Embark on this indelible expedition with us!
The tour starts and finishes in Lanzhou.
Workshop Highlights
- Labrang Monastery - the largest Tibeten monastery outside of Tibet
- Meet tibetan and experience their culture and life
- Zhagana - the hidden Shangri-la
- River bends at sunset on Zoige Grassland
- Vast grassland with sheeps annd yaks
- Stunning landscape shoot on mountains, rivers, canyons
Cities Covered: Lanzhou - Xiahe - Zhagana - Tangke - Aba - Hezuo
Date - June 8-15, 2025
8 days / 7 nights
Price - US $3,100
Deposit of $1,000 upon booking. Price includes single occupancy room. Discount of $700 for couples or friend sharing subject to availability.
Available - Available
Maximum of 8 participants
Fitness level - Medium
No steps climbing. Walk up to two kilometers per day at the altitude of 2000-3000 meters.
Drone friendly - Partial
All monasteries are not allowed to fly drones.
What's included
- Photography guide + local professional
- Private van transportation
- 8-night accommodation (best in local)
- Inclusive entrance fees to photography locations
- Personalized processing instructions
- Lanzhou Railway Station/Airport pick-up & transfer
Not included
- Arrival and departure flight/train
- Travel insurance
- Meals (lunch & dinner)
- Gratuity for local guide and driver
Trip Itinerary
DAY 1: Lanzhou Arrival
When you arrive at Lanzhou airport or train station, we will be ready to take you to your hotel.
Here are some free ideas for day trips:
- Visit the Gansu Provincial Museum to see ancient objects from the northwest area.
- Try the famous local dish - beef noodles, and watch how they make a bowl of noodles super fast.
- Take beautiful sunset pictures and enjoy the lively nighttime scene by the Yellow River.
DAY 2: Xiahe
Set out on a morning trip to Xiahe, a Tibetan region.
Explore the Bingling Temple Grottoes, a renowned UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its hundreds of ancient grottoes constructed over a millennium ago.
Stay overnight in Xiahe.
DAY 3: Langmusi
Discover the Labrang Monastery, one of the six main temples of the Gelug Sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Be amazed by the longest row of prayer wheels in the world and take photos of Tibetan followers as they turn the wheels with devotion.
Head to the enchanting Ganjia Secret Realm. With its 1300-meter vertical drop and unique geological features, it offered diverse landscapes like cliffs, grasslands, lakes, and canyons.
Drive to Langmusi in the late afternoon, capturing the beauty of Tibetan life on the grasslands and overnight there.
DAY 4: Zhagana
Set off early to Langmusi and catch the beautiful sunrise on the pagodas and monasteries.
Then, keep going to Zhagana (means the stone town), where you can take pictures of the pretty grasslands and traditional Tibetan houses.
Overnight in Zhagana.
DAY 5: Ruoergai(Zoige) Grassland
Capture the beautiful sunrise in Zhagana, where old houses are surrounded by clouds.
Continue your journey to the Huahu Scenery Area, where you can photograph the interplay of light and shadow on the lake's surface as the sun illuminates it.
Upon reaching Tangke before sunset, seize the opportunity to photograph the First Bend of the Yellow River from a charming vantage point. Entire valley will be bathed in golden hues at sunset, creating a truly enchanting atmosphere.
DAY 6: Aba
In the morning, we'll drive to Lianbao Yezhe scenic area to capture mountains and flowing waters. Take a light hike to the lesser-known "Hidden Lake" to photograph its natural beauty. Visit the "Summit Viewing Platform" for a great view and stop by the famous "Zhaga'er Cuo" lake to capture its unique mountain landscape.
Before sunset, we'll reach Baita Lake. With the lake in the front and the rugged peaks of Lianbao Yezhe in the back, it creates a perfect mix of calmness and strength for our photos.
DAY 7: Hezuo
Visit the Milariba Buddha Pavilion and photograph the temple, Buddha figurines, Thangkas, and Tibetan monks.
Drive to Hezuo in the afternoon.
Overnight in Hezuo.
DAY 8: Lanzhou Departure
After a delightful breakfast, it's time to say goodbye to this wonderful journey and make our way back to Lanzhou, which is approximately a 3-hour drive.
We'll ensure you reach the Lanzhou airport or train station in time for your departure. Safe travels!.
Camera gears for this trip
- Two cameras: one for wide angle lens and one for zoom lens
- Wide angle 24-70; zoom lens 70-200
- Tripod and head light
- Polarizer filter (optional)
Having years of experience, Mercier Zeng has designed the itinerary for the workshop and will personally lead it.
Mercier has earned over 100 excellent reviews on Trip Advisor after guiding more than 300 photographers from various parts of the world. He has even accompanied some photographers on multiple occasions to Guilin, guiding them since 2014 and helping them capture portfolio-worthy shots, regardless of their level of expertise.
In order to better understand the needs of photographers, Mercier has also traveled to several photography destinations overseas, including Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand, and New Zealand.
Hi there!
I'm glad to meet you in Gannan
Come join the tour custom-designed by Mercier Zeng and bring great shots home together!
