Archive for the ‘Langmusi Travel’ Category

Langmusi Trip, My Trip to Langmusi

Monday, August 9th, 2021
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Plan your Gansu tour? A side trip from Lanzhou to Langmusi is worth your time going deeper in the southern Gansu. “Langmusi” in Chinese literally “Langmu Temple”. But actually it is the name of the small town bordering Gansu in the north and Sichuan in the south. “Langmu” in Tibetan means “Fairy”. The legend has it that once a fairy was discovered in a cave near the village.

With a population of over 3,000, the town is now mainly inhabited by Tibetans, Han and Hui people. The town of Langmusi is only composed of one main street with a stream known as “White Dragon River” passing along the street. The area of north of the stream belongs to Gansu Province while the south to Sichuan.

The rural town is nestled in a valley between the north and south hills along steep grassy meadows, evergreen forests and snow-capped peaks. Langmusi has two Tibetan Temples and one Muslim Mosque. They are:

Sertri Gompa – The temple is located on northern hill ( on Gansu side ).
Kirti Gompa – The temple is on the southern hill (Sichuan side)
Hui Mosque – located close to the Sichuan side temple near the entrance gate to Kirti Temple.

It is easy to spend a few days here exploring the numerous red and white monastery buildings and hiking around the green mountains. The surrounding mountains reminds people of the rural Austria or Bavaria and ideal for hiking and horsetrek.

We took the chartered coach and drove 230km directly from Xiahe, to Langmusi. We only had a few hours exploring the town of Langmusi. Because Langmusi is very close to the fringe of Rouergau Grasslands, we kindly requested our driver to pass by Langmusi itself and went to further to the grassland first. So we drove another 20km via Langmusi to the edge of Ruoergai Grassland.

Ruoergai Grassland is located in the north of Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan Province, and borders Maqu, Luqu of Gansu Province. It is on the east edge of Tibet-Qinghai Plateau with an altitude between 3000 and 3600 meters.

Ruoergai Grassland is said to be the fourth largest grasslands in China after Hulun Buir Grassland in Inner Mongolia, Yili Grassland in Xinjiang and Xilinguole Grassland in Inner Mongolia. Ruoergai Grassland belongs to the kind of alpine meadow, also one of the China’s three largest wetlands, covering 10436.58 square kilometers.

Ruoergai Grassland, a field of wildflowers

Ruoergai Grassland, a field of wildflowers

I’de been to some mesmerizing grasslands elsewhere in China, like Hulunbuir Grasslands, Narat Grassland, Gegentala Grassland Mulan Weichang Grassland.  In comparison, Ruoergai Grassland is neither the greenest nor a fertile grassland, but what catches my eyes and makes my excited is its numerous wild flowers.

I felt quite shamed to be unable to name most of the flowers, which I had to call them wildflowers of grassland.  Then we drove back to the Town of Langmusi for lunch.  Our lunch was arranged at the Chinese restaurant of Langmusi Binguan (Langmusi Hotel), the best hotel in the town (0941 – 6671086). The hotel is located in the middle section of the area between Gansu side and Sichuan side.

Langmusi Binguan ( Langmusi Hotel )

After lunch, I went out of the courtyard of Langmusi Binguan, and saw three monks sitting by the gate leisurely.   I approached them with a sudden idea of taking a photo with them, they were pleased to agree to my request, hence the only photo with my own image during the day trip.  

Posed with three monks by the gate to Langmusi Binguan

Posed with three monks by the gate to Langmusi Binguan

Just outside Langmusi Hotel, on my right side is the main street in the town teemed with restaurants, shops and crowds of tourists.

On my left side is the bumpy road leading up to the Kirti Gompa  – the temple is on the southern hill  (Sichuan side).   Opposite Langmusi Hotel is the ticket office selling the tickets for the entry to the temple on Sichuan side.

Not far from the ticket office is the only Muslim mosque in the town.   The ticket office at the crossroad, a little bit shabby. People inside the house would shout at the visitors and stop them for ticket buying since almost nobody would recognize it was a ticket office!

The ticket office at the crossroad

We had to skip Sertri Gompa  – the temple is located on northern hill ( on Gansu side ) due to our limited time in Langmusi.

We decided first to visit Kirti Temple, then have a look at the mosque, lastly have a walk around the main street in the town.  

By the side of the road, a row of prayer wheels housed for people to spin for peace and prosperity.  On the southern mountain, we saw a few people standing high on the hill with the backdrop of white clouds, green alpine meadows.

people standing high on the hill with the backdrop of white clouds

This scene reminded me of the debating at Sera Temple  in Lhasa, Debates are practiced by the lamas in the monastery every day. In a battle of words, they further their efforts by using a variety of gestures including clapping their hands, pushing their partners for an answer and more gestures.  

A group of monks debating in front of the main temple in the monastery.

A group of monks debating in front of the main temple in the monastery.

In a battle of words, they further their efforts by using a variety of gestures.

In a battle of words, they further their efforts by using a variety of gestures.

Inside the hall, we also found a group of monks sitting on the ground and debating. It is not easy to be a monk!

a group of monks sitting on the ground and debating

Three monks after debating

There are more temples of various sizes in the Kirti monastery.

More temples in the Kirti Gompa

One temple in Kirti Gompa

One temple in Kirti Gompa

Standing on the high place in the compound of the Kirti Gompa, we had a clear view of the Sertri Gompa in the northern hill on Gansu side.

It was a pity that this time we had no time visiting the Gansu side temple in Langmusi.   Sertri Gompa  – the temple is located on northern hill ( on Gansu side ).

Sertri Gompa – the temple is located on northern hill ( on Gansu side ).

From Kirti Gompa here on the southern hill, we overlooked the narrow town bound by the hills in the north and south.

Langmusi Town is bound by the mountains in the north and south.

Langmusi Town is bound by the mountains in the north and south.

The green hills are a perfect place for hiking treks and horse riding. All these activities would be my next trip.

The green hills are a perfect place for hiking treks and horse riding

Below the monastery was the living quarters of Tibetans with simple and shabby houses.

the living quarters of Tibetans

the living quarters of Tibetans 1

the living quarters of Tibetans

the living quarters of Tibetans 2

the living quarters of Tibetans 2

A young monk

A young monk

A monk and his car

A monk and his car

The White Dragon River coming from the south hill and passing through the Tibetan living area down to the street in the town.  

The White Dragon River coming from the south hill

The White Dragon River coming from the south hill

I walked along the White Dragon River on the bumpy road back to the main street in the town.  

At the ticket office, I turned right for a glimpse of the only mosque in the town.

The mosque was built 1943 by the descendants of ethic groups of Hui, Dongxiang who came here on business.   The mosque was built 1943

The mosque was built 1943.

The street of Langmusi Town was dusty. The narrow street was riddled with stores, restaurants and inns.

The street of Langmusi Town was dusty

This was the famous Amdo Coffee on the main road in Langmusi.

Amdo Coffee

Leisha’s Reasturant ( 0941 – 6671179) is a wonderful place offering fresh apple pies, yak burgers and Yunnanese coffee.

Leisha’s Resturant

Tip:  Hassle-free Guansu Guided Tours

If you don’t want to go the do-it-yourself route and prefer the hassle-free escorted tours, here are some options for Gansu Guided Tours:

Lanzhou Bingling Labrang 5 Day Tour
Lanzhou Hezheng Linxia Labrang 4 Day Tour
Lanzhou Langmusi Labrang 5 Day Tour
Lanzhou Dunhuang Jiyuaguan 5 Day Tour

Further Readings

Top 10 Places in Gansu
Best Places to See Autumn Leaves in Gansu
How to Visit Labrang Monastery
Dunhuang Trip, My Trip to Dunhuang
Jiayuguan Trip
How to Visit Maijishan Grottoes from Xian by Train
Top 10 Attractions in Lanzhou
Langmusi Trip, My Trip to Langmusi
Ruoergai Grassland, my first trip to Ruoergai Grassland

Any questions, just drop a line.

Xiahe to Langmusi, Xiahe Langmusi Road Trip

Friday, August 12th, 2011

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At 8:00am, on August 01, 2011, we set off from Xiahe Civil Aviation Hotel in Xiahe County for Langmusi. It was a 230km drive which, later on, took us about 4 hours.

Our bus driver turned out to be a very cautious person keeping a stead driving speed of 80km per hour all the way. On the way, we stopped two times at Gas Sations for using toilets, adding up to the total time of 4 hours for the whole trip along the National Highway No.213.

For the 230km road trip, we drove along the National Highway No.213 passing by Hezuo City, Luqu County, experiencing mesmerising views of alpine meadows, grassslands, grazing yaks and sheep, and Tibetan living houses, unfolding a “water colour” picture of the pristine life in Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture.

Our Xiahe Langmusi road trip can be divided into 4 sections: Xiahe – Wang Ge Er Tang Town 30km, Wang Ge Er Tang – Hezhou 32km, Hezhou – Luqu 79km and Luqu – Langmusi 90km. The road sightseeing in the later two sections are beyond words.

Xiahe – Wang Ge Er Tang ( 30km), a special road

This is the only non-National Highway section for the 230km road trip. The 30km road is a special road forking from the main road National Highway 213 at Wang Ge Er Tang and leading to Xiahe. Parallelled by Daxia River, the road is nestled in a valley bound by the mountains with good views.

This is the only non-National Highway section for the 230km road trip.

This is the only non-National Highway section for the 230km road trip

Parallelled by Daxia River, the road is nestled in a valley bound by the mountains with good views.

Parallelled by Daxia River, the road is nestled in a valley bound by the mountains with good views.

Wang Ge Er Tang – Hezuo ( 32km ), along National Highway No.213
We entered the National Highway 213 at Wang Ge Er Tang Toll Gate starting our long trip along the national highway.

This 32km section road was a transit area between the loesss plateau and Tibetan-Qinghai Plateau. The Tao River originating from Luqu County runs parallelled by the highway. We felt our coach climbing up all the way to our destionation Langmusi on the edge of Tibetan-Qinghai Plateau, higher and higher.

We entered the National Highway 213 at Wang Ge Er Tang Toll Gate.

We entered the National Highway 213 at Wang Ge Er Tang Toll Gate

The Tao River originating from Luqu County runs parallelled by the highway.

The Tao River originating from Luqu County runs parallelled by the highway

We felt our coach climbing up all the way to our destionation Langmusi.

We felt the up driving all the way to our destionation Langmusi

Hezuo – Luqu ( 79km ), along National Highway No.213
Now we were inside the jurisdiction area of Hezhou, is the capital city of Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Gansu Province.

It is located at the southeast fringe of Tibetan-Qinghai Plateau in the cross-border areas of Qinghai, Sichuan and Gansu provinces. The national highway No.213 runs through the city of Hezuo, which is 62km west of Xiahe, 260 km south of Lanzhou and 860km north of Chengdu with a average altitude of over 3000 meters.

Now we were inside the jurisdiction area of Hezhou.

Now we were inside the jurisdiction area of Hezuo.

We were passing by Hezuo Milariba Buddha Pavilion.
We were driving through the city center of Hezou. White clouds, blue sky, green alpine meadows and grasslands with wildflowers

White clouds, blue sky, green alpine meadows and grasslands with wildflowers

A pradise on earth

A pradise on earth

Some people couldn’t help stopping here taking pictures.

Some people couldn’t help stopping here taking pictures.

A local Tibetan house

A local Tibetan house

Yaks dotted on the road sie grassland

Yaks dotted on the road sie grassland

A group of yaks were wandering on the highway.

A group of yaks were wandering on the highway.

Fertile Grassland

Fertile Grassland

Luqu – Langmusi ( 90km ), along National Highway No.213
Now we were entering Luqu County. Luqu is a county under the administration of Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Gansu Province. It has a population of over 30,000 with 84% being Tibetans.

A large part of Luqu county is at the sea level between 2900 and 4287 with the yearly average temperature at 2.3 degree and the sunshine time of 2222 – 2351 hours. Luqu County is about 78km away from Hezuo, the capital city of Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Gansu Province. Langmusi Town is under the administration of Luqu, 90km to the southeast of Luqu.

Luqu has rich tourism resources with unique ethic features – Gahai Lake, Zecha Stone Forest, and Langmusi.  Linked by National Highway No.213, Luqu is incorporated in the golden travel route of Xiahe, Langmusi, Ruoergai, Jiuzhaigou.

Now we were entering Luqu County.

 

Now we were entering Luqu County

We were marching towards Langmusi.

We were marching towards Langmusi.

We were driving through a small village called Gaxu.

We were driving through a small village called Gaxu.

Again white clouds, blue sky, green alpine meadows and grassland wildflowers.

Again white clouds, blue sky, green alpine meadows and grassland wildflowers.

It is amazing!

It is amazing!

We were passing by Gahai Lake. Gahai Lake is the largest fresh water lake in Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, an important wetland in the east of Tibetan-Qinghai Plateau. Gahai Lake is a part of the National Gahai Zecha Natural Reserve. Gahai Lake is under the administration of Luqu County, which is situated 90km north of Langmmsi and 260km south of Lanzhou.

Gahai Lake is surrounded by the mountains with an altitude of 3480. Gahai Lake has rich water resources with water coming from three streams from the nearbye mountains as well as the underground sprinsg. It is a pefect habitat for over 100 migrant birds like swans, black-neck cranes…

We were passing by Gahai Lake.

We were passing by Gahai Lake.

We were aproaching the town of Langmusi.

We were aproaching the town of Langmusi.

Now we were passing through the one street of Langmusi. Langmusi” in Chinese literally “Langmu Temple”. But actually it is the name of the small town bordering Gansu in the north and Sichuan in the south. “Langmu” in Tibetan means “Fairy”. The legend has it that once a fairy was discoverd in a cave near the village.

With a population of over 3,000, the town is now mainly inhabited by Tibetans, Han and hui. The town of Langmusi is only composed of one main street with a streem known as “White Dragon River” passing by the street. The area of north of the streem belongs to Gansu Province while the south to Sichuan.

The rual town is nestled in a valley between the north and south hills along steep grassy meadows, evergreen forests and snow-capped peaks. Langmusi has two Tibetan Temples and one Muslim Mosque. They are:

Sertri Gompa  – The temple is located on northern hill ( on Gansu side ).

Kirti Gompa  – The temple is on the southern hill  (Sichuan side)
Hui Mosque – located close to the Sichuan side temple near the enterance gate to Kirti Temple
 

We were passing through the only street in the Langmusi Town

Langmusi

Any questions,  just drop a line.

Luqu, My Trip to Luqu County

Friday, August 12th, 2011

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Luqu is a county under the administration of Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Gansu Province. It is located in the southwest of Gansu and on the edge of the east of Tibetan-Qinghai Plateau at the cross borders among Gansu, Qinghai and Sichuan. It has a population of over 30,000 with 84% being Tibetans.
 
A large part of Luqu county is at the sea level between 2900 and 4287 with the yearly average temperature at 2.3 degree and the sunshine time of 2222 – 2351 hours.
 
Luqu County is about 78km away from Hezuo, the capital city of Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Gansu Province. Langmusi Town is under the administration of Luqu, 90km to the southeast of Luqu.
 
“Luqu” in Tiebtan literally means “Tao River”, one of the important tributaries of Yellow River. Tao River is 673km long with its headwater originating from Luqu and Qinghai, passing through Luqu ( 330km long in Luqu ), and entering Liujiaxia Reservior, which is linked to Yellow River. Tao River also has many small tributaries, like White Dragon River in Langmusi. 
 
Luqu is a town on the fringe of Tibetan-Qinghai Plaetau with green alpine meadows in the west and the Tao River in the east. Two third of Luqu county is suitable for grazing livestock, like sheep and yak. Along the Tao River area, a patch of land is developed for agriculture.
 
Luqu has rich tourism resources with unique ethic features – Gahai Lake, Zecha Stone Forest, and Langmusi.  Linked by National Highway No.213, Luqu is incorporated in the golden travel route of Xiahe, Langmusi, Ruoergai, Jiuzhaigou.
 
 
Now we enter the border of Luqu from Hezuo along National Highway No.213.
 

Now we enter the border of Luqu from Hezuo along National Highway No.213.

 
We are amazed by the alpine meadows along the National Highway No.213 within the border of Luqu.
 

We are amazed by the alpine meadows along the National Highway No.213 within the border of Luqu.

 
Alpine meadows and grassland wildflowers
 

Alpine meadows and grassland wildflowers

 

Gahai Lake is the largest fresh water lake in Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, an important wetland in the east of Tibetan-Qinghai Plateau. Gahai Lake is a part of the National Gahai Zecha Natural Reserve. Gahai Lake is under the administration of Luqu County, which is situated 90km north of Langmmsi and 260km south of Lanzhou.

Gahai Lake

 

With a population of over 3,000, the town is now mainly inhabited by Tibetans, Han and hui. The town of Langmusi is only composed of one main street with a streem known as “White Dragon River” passing by the street. The area of north of the streem belongs to Gansu Province ( Under the administration of Luqu ) while the south to Sichuan.

Langmusi Town