Amdo Loop: Golog, Gannan & Rebgong

A classic Amdo loop starting from Xining, passing through Golog, Langmusi, Labrang Monastery, and Rebgong, before returning to Xining.

A mature and popular route for experiencing Tibetan culture, focusing on Amdo monasteries, vast grasslands, and nomadic pastoral areas. Since the core lake area of Nyanbo Yuze is closed, the itinerary views it from the 5369 Highway; Mount Amne Machin is also viewed from the road. The altitude remains mostly above 3,000 meters. Long driving days are concentrated in the first half, while the second half adopts a slower pace. Perfect for travelers who have already visited Qinghai Lake and want to delve deeper into Tibetan life.

The weather is relatively stable from May to September. Watch out for landslides during the rainy season in July and August.

Day by day

Day 1 · Xining Acclimatization & Kumbum Monastery

Xining（Kumbum (Ta'er) Monastery、Dongguan Great Mosque）

Spend half a day acclimatizing after arrival. Drive about 40 minutes from the city center to Kumbum Monastery (Ta'er Temple), and return to the Dongguan area for dinner in the evening.

Stay: Dongguan Mosque Area

Day 2 · Qinghai Lake to Guide

Qinghai Lake（Qinghai Lake Erlangjian Scenic Area） → Guide（Yellow River Qing National Wetland Park）

Drive from Xining to Erlangjian (~3 hours), then continue via Daotanghe to Guide (~3 hours), totaling about 350 km for the day.

Guide has a lower altitude, making it the final buffer stop before ascending to Golog.

Stay: Around Guide Old Town

Day 3 · South to Dawu (Golog)

Maqên（Lhagya Monastery）

Drive from Guide via Ragya to Dawu in Maqên (approx. 340 km, ~5 to 6 hours).

Stay: Dawu Town

Day 4 · Mount Amne Machin to Jigdril

Maqên（Amnye Machen） → Nyenpo Yurtse

Drive from Dawu through Xueshan Township to view Mount Amne Machin, then continue to Jigdril (Jiuzhi) (~360 km, ~8 hours of driving).

This is a long driving day, so start early. Fill up your gas tank as there are few supply stops along the way.

Stay: Jiuzhi County Town

Day 5 · View Nyanbo Yuze from the 5369 Highway

Nyenpo Yurtse（Nyenpo Yurtse Main Peak、Longge Monastery、Baiyu (Dartang) Monastery）

Take a round trip from Jigdril along G345 (~95 km total) on paved roads, spending about half a day stopping at various viewpoints.

Entry to the core lake area is strictly prohibited. Only park at official viewing platforms and strictly avoid driving at night.

Stay: Jiuzhi County Town

Day 6 · First Bend of the Yellow River to Langmusi

Zoigê（First Bend of the Yellow River） → Langmusi & Zhagana（Langmusi Town）

Drive east from Jigdril via Tangke to Langmusi (~260 km, ~5 hours), stopping to view the First Bend of the Yellow River.

Stay: Langmusi Town

Day 7 · Langmusi Monasteries & Gorge Walk

Langmusi & Zhagana（Langmusi (Sertri Gompa, Gansu side)、Taktsang Lhamo (Kirti Gompa, Sichuan side)、Bailong River Source & Namo Gorge）

Explore on foot. The two monasteries belong to Sichuan and Gansu provinces respectively. Walking through the town and the White Dragon River Gorge takes half a day to a full day.

Do not take photos or crowd around the sky burial site. Respect local customs.

Stay: Langmusi Town

Day 8 · Gahai Grassland to Labrang

Langmusi & Zhagana（Gahai Lake） → Xiahe（Milarepa Palace (Hezuo)、Labrang Prayer Wheel Circuit）

Drive from Langmusi via Gahai and Hezuo to Xiahe (~190 km, ~4 hours).

Stay: Xiahe County Town near Labrang Monastery

Day 9 · Labrang Monastery & Sangke Grassland

Xiahe（Labrang Monastery、Gongtang Stupa、Sangke Grassland）

Explore the monastery on foot in the morning. In the afternoon, take a short 30-minute round-trip drive from the county seat to Sangke Grassland.

Guided tours inside the monastery run on fixed schedules. Photography is prohibited in some halls.

Stay: Xiahe County Town near Labrang Monastery

Day 10 · Ganjia Grassland to Rebgong

Xiahe（Ganjia Grassland、Bajiao Ancient City, Ganjia） → Tongren (Rebgong)（Rongwo Monastery、Longwu Old Street）

Drive north from Xiahe to Ganjia, then cross into Tongren (Rebgong) (~120 km, ~2 to 2.5 hours).

Stay: Longwu Monastery Old Street

Day 11 · Wutun Thangka Art & Return to Xining

Tongren (Rebgong)（Upper Wutun Monastery、Nyantog Monastery、Shachung Monastery） → Xining

Admire Thangka art in Wutun Village in the morning. Drive from Tongren back to Xining via Shachung (Xiaqiong) Monastery (~190 km, ~3 hours).