Things to do in Tongde

Lanzhou Old Street is quite close to the Yellow River Tower. We walked there after visiting the Yellow River Tower. The old street area isn't small, and it feels like a newly built commercial district. In the afternoon during the off-season, there were very few people. I wonder if it will be more crowded at night? The shops are mainly restaurants, plus souvenir shops. If you're passing by, you can check it out!

The cliff should be a fantastic attraction. We went on a sunny day, and the lake water was a vibrant blue. The sunlight reflecting off it created different colors depending on the direction from which it shone. Later, some clouds appeared, so we quickly left. However, as we walked, we noticed sunlight shining through the clouds, creating a Tyndall effect that actually made the lake even more beautiful – definitely worth the trip!

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.

This place is incredibly expensive, and the 20 RMB shuttle bus is such a great deal; I'd probably pay around 40 RMB myself. On the way up, you can see snow-capped mountains from around the world and their corresponding altitudes. The ride takes about 15 to 25 minutes. Once you're up, you'll see 3-4 interconnected lakes, but there are 7-8 in total. The first 2-3 lakes have a very deep blue color, and the later lakes gradually change to a grayish-yellow hue. I recommend bringing a drone to capture distant views of the lakes, mountains, sky, clouds, grasslands, etc. If it's cold, the scenic area provides a small heated room to wait for the shuttle. Overall, it's excellent value, beautiful scenery, and the service is excellent.

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。

The Liujiaxia Reservoir is a large-scale hydroelectric power station built independently during the First Five-Year Plan. The green Yellow River and the earthy yellow mountain valleys complement each other beautifully, and the scenery along the bridge is also stunning. It's definitely worth a visit!

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.

I stopped here while driving by. The hike was fairly easy, with wooden boardwalks throughout. The last platform had a sign indicating it was where three plateaus met. However, the snow on the opposite mountain had already melted at this time of year. The scenic area is great because it's free, so stopping by was no problem at all; you can finish in about an hour if you're quick. Later, while driving, I also saw several sections of the Great Wall, supposedly ruins of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall. Those interested can check them out.

The Sangke Grassland is absolutely worth visiting on a good day! Under the blue sky and white clouds, the entire grassland is as green as an endless velvet carpet. Sunlight streams in, and cattle and sheep graze leisurely on the grass in the distance—a scene both clean and soothing. The wind carries the scent of fresh grass, and the view is incredibly expansive; every snapshot is a masterpiece. On a clear day, the sky is a crystal-clear blue, and the clouds are so low they seem almost within reach, creating a stunning contrast with the green grassland—no filter is needed. Strolling through it, you completely relax, leaving the hustle and bustle of the city far behind.