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夏河North-West China35.20° N · 102.52° E
A small Tibetan town in southern Gansu built around the great Labrang Monastery, surrounded by high grasslands. Here is what to see, when to go and what to know about the altitude.
Xiahe lies in a valley at around 2,900 metres in the Gannan region of southern Gansu, on the north-eastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau. The town grew up around Labrang Monastery, founded in 1709 and one of the most important monasteries of the Gelug school, with a large community of monks and an important tradition of study.
Life here follows the rhythm of the monastery. Pilgrims in heavy robes walk the long kora path around its walls, spinning prayer wheels from dawn until dusk. Beyond the town, open grasslands with grazing yaks and herders' tents stretch to the hills. Xiahe is easy to reach by road from Lanzhou and makes a gentle introduction to Tibetan culture at a moderate altitude.
Our Xiahe journeys are private and tailor-made, usually as a two-night trip from Lanzhou or as part of a route through the grasslands to Langmusi or Xining.
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The experiences our travellers enjoy most, in order of what we would not miss.
Join a guided visit of the assembly halls, chapels and colleges, where monks study philosophy, medicine and ritual. Morning is the best time to see daily prayers and debates.
A path of several kilometres loops around the monastery past long galleries of prayer wheels. Walk it clockwise with the pilgrims, ideally early in the morning.
Rolling high grassland a short drive from town, green from June to August. A peaceful place for a walk among yaks, herders' tents and wildflowers.
A tall golden stupa near the monastery with chapels inside. Climb to the upper levels for views over the gold roofs and the valley.
In the prefecture town of Hezuo, about an hour away, a tall nine-storey tower with painted interiors dedicated to the poet-saint Milarepa.
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Customise My TripMost travellers drive from Lanzhou through farming country and Hui Muslim towns before climbing to the grasslands. A small airport serves the Gannan region, but flights are limited.
Places that pair well with Xiahe, with approximate travel times.
May to October is the best time, with green grasslands in summer and crisp, clear days in autumn. July and August bring some rain. Winters are very cold, but the Monlam prayer festival around Tibetan New Year, usually in February, draws many pilgrims for ceremonies and the unveiling of a giant thangka.
A general guide. Weather varies from year to year, and we plan each route around the season.
Quick answers from our local team. Anything else, just ask your travel specialist.
Ask us on WhatsAppYes, for anyone interested in Tibetan Buddhist culture. Labrang is one of the largest Tibetan monasteries in China, and the town is lively with pilgrims. It is also easier to reach and lower in altitude than central Tibet, and it does not require the Tibet Travel Permit.
Yes. Foreign visitors can visit Labrang, and the main halls are usually seen on a guided tour. Access can change at short notice, especially around festivals or important events. Dress modestly, walk clockwise, ask before photographing monks and avoid photography inside chapels unless it is clearly allowed.
The drive takes about 3.5 to 4 hours, through Linxia and up into the grasslands. A private car with driver is the most comfortable option, allowing stops along the way. Xiahe can also be combined with Xining to the north-west or Langmusi to the south.
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