Gannan Tibet Autonomous Prefecture attracts lots of visitors during summer thanks to its folk culture, Tibetan-style buildings and the vast area of green grass land.
The famous Tibetan religious and cultural center, Lapulen Monastery, is located at the place where Gansu, Sichuan and Qinghai meet.
Day 1: Take train T75 at Beijing West Railway Station at 18:00. You will get to Lanzhou 24 hours later.
Day 2: Take bus route Lanzhou-Xiahe at 7:30 . The ticket price is 20 yuan (US$2.4). You will get to Xiahe at 14:00 pm. Change tour bus between Xiahe and Lapulen Monastery. It will take you another hour. The ticket for the Lama temple is 25 yuan (US$3). Visit other pagodas and temples around Lapulen Temple. Stay in Xiahe Hotel. Cost: 80 yuan (US$9.6) for a double.
Day 3: Visit Lapulen Monastery again - this is a huge group of buildings and only part of them open to visitors in turn each day. Don't miss the morning worship.
Day 4: Tour the Sangke Grassland by rented motorcycle. The rental round-trip fee is usually 30 yuan (US$3.6). It takes you 20 minutes. Alternatively, rent a bike. The rental fee is 10 yuan (US$1.2) for a day. Ticket price for the grassland is 15 yuan (US$1.8). You can also hire a horse and race on the grassland.
(Beijing Weekend January 6, 2003)
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