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.
每日安排
第 1 天 · Xining Acclimatization & Kumbum Monastery
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.
住宿：東關清真大寺周邊
第 2 天 · Qinghai Lake to Guide
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.
住宿：貴德古城周邊
第 3 天 · South to Dawu (Golog)
Drive from Guide via Ragya to Dawu in Maqên (approx. 340 km, ~5 to 6 hours).
住宿：大武鎮
第 4 天 · Mount Amne Machin to Jigdril
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.
住宿：久治縣城
第 5 天 · View Nyanbo Yuze from the 5369 Highway
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.
住宿：久治縣城
第 6 天 · First Bend of the Yellow River to Langmusi
若爾蓋（黃河九曲第一灣） → 郎木寺·扎尕那（郎木寺鎮老街）
Drive east from Jigdril via Tangke to Langmusi (~260 km, ~5 hours), stopping to view the First Bend of the Yellow River.
住宿：郎木寺鎮
第 7 天 · Langmusi Monasteries & Gorge Walk
郎木寺·扎尕那（郎木寺（甘肅賽赤寺）、郎木寺（四川格爾底寺）、白龍江源頭·納摩大峽谷）
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.
住宿：郎木寺鎮
第 8 天 · Gahai Grassland to Labrang
郎木寺·扎尕那（尕海） → 夏河（米拉日巴佛閣、拉卜楞寺轉經長廊）
Drive from Langmusi via Gahai and Hezuo to Xiahe (~190 km, ~4 hours).
住宿：拉卜楞寺周邊縣城
第 9 天 · Labrang Monastery & 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.
住宿：拉卜楞寺周邊縣城
第 10 天 · Ganjia Grassland to Rebgong
夏河（甘加草原（甘加秘境）、甘加八角城） → 同仁（隆務寺、隆務老街）
Drive north from Xiahe to Ganjia, then cross into Tongren (Rebgong) (~120 km, ~2 to 2.5 hours).
住宿：隆務寺·老街
第 11 天 · Wutun Thangka Art & Return to Xining
Admire Thangka art in Wutun Village in the morning. Drive from Tongren back to Xining via Shachung (Xiaqiong) Monastery (~190 km, ~3 hours).