01City Guide
Zhagana
扎尕那
All Ages
Admission
CNY 80 main scenic-area ticket; parking and shuttle charges are separate where offered.
Typical Visit
1-2 days
Quick Facts
Ticket
Admission is sold separately for individual zones; choose the lake, gorge, and transport combination that fits your route.
Hours
Summer 07:30-18:00; winter 09:00-16:00.
Transport
No metro. Yeliguan is a road destination in Lintan County; self-driving or a hired car is the most flexible way to move between its zones.
Duration
1 full day for Tianchi Yehai and Chibi Valley
Best Time
Summer for cool weather and green scenery; winter for ice and snow with a shorter, more conservative route
Visitors
All ages
How to Visit
1
Plan Yeliguan as several zones rather than one attraction
Yeliguan's main places to visit include Tianchi Yehai and Chibi Valley, which offer different experiences and access arrangements. With a full day, you may also consider forest, flower-valley or roadside viewpoints. Plan for 7:30 AM-6:00 PM in summer and 9:00 AM-4:00 PM in winter, and begin with the zone you most want to see.
Tip:If you estimate the visit as one entrance and one short stop, you may see only one zone. Decide first whether the lake or the gorge is your priority, otherwise mountain driving and parking can consume much of the visit.
2
Start at the north shore of Tianchi Yehai when driving or hiring a car
For self-driving, use the north shore of Tianchi Yehai as the first stop; the Changye Temple area is a common navigation anchor. Finish the lake views and short walks from the north shore, then continue by mountain road to Chibi Valley. Without your own vehicle, include the return journey and waiting time in the day, and do not assume the two zones are always connected by an easy walk.
Tip:The north shore makes it easier to combine parking and lake views in one part of the day. Starting from the south shore or changing zones at the last minute may require scenic transport or extra driving, which can significantly reduce your afternoon time in the gorge.
3
Use Tianchi Yehai to assess the highland weather
Tianchi Yehai is a high mountain lake suited to lakeside views, short walks and roadside stops. Check the wind, cloud cover and temperature before deciding whether to continue along more exposed lakeside sections or save your time for Chibi Valley; bring a windproof warm layer even in summer.
Tip:Weather around the lake can change faster than in town. Low cloud, rain and strong wind can quickly reduce visibility and increase the risk of getting cold, so shorten the lakeside stop and move to lower ground or end the route if conditions worsen.
4
Make Chibi Valley your afternoon gorge-walking section
After leaving Yehai, enter Chibi Valley along the main route, then use the boardwalk according to your energy level to see the Danxia cliffs and stream. The core walk usually takes about one hour, but photo stops, wet surfaces and the return walk add time. If you enter from a direction where private vehicles are restricted, transfer according to the on-site transport arrangement rather than driving into the deeper gorge.
Tip:Chibi Valley needs a dedicated walking block rather than a rushed visit near evening. Boardwalks and stone surfaces are more slippery after rain, so wear slip-resistant shoes and turn back while there is still good light instead of making the return a race.
5
Adjust the route length and overnight location by season
In summer, allow a full day for Yehai and Chibi Valley; in winter or rain and snow, reduce the route to one main zone plus one short stop, and use Yeliguan Town or a confirmed open accommodation for food, toilets and supplies. If you want early lake light or prefer not to drive a long day, stay in town or near the scenic area for one night.
Tip:In winter, supplies and services in some areas may be reduced, while mountain roads can be affected by ice, snow, falling rocks or weather. Do not continue toward remote viewpoints late in the day if you have not confirmed the return conditions.
Highlights
- Tianchi Yehai combines a high mountain lake, meadow and surrounding mountain views, making it well suited to driving stops and short walks.
- Chibi Valley offers ochre-red Danxia cliffs, a gorge stream and boardwalk walking as a contrasting landform experience.
- The two main zones are clearly different: the lake area is more open, while the gorge needs dedicated walking time.
- The drive itself passes terraces, forest and mountain scenery, so worthwhile roadside stops can be part of the day.
- Summer is relatively cool, while winter can bring ice and snow scenery but requires a more conservative route and service plan.
Insider Tips
✦For one day, prioritize the order of Yehai north shore followed by Chibi Valley: complete the open lake views first, then save your energy for the gorge boardwalk.
✦Without a car, settle the day's return transport and movement between zones before deciding to visit both.
✦Vehicle access and shuttle arrangements can differ between the north shore, south shore and gorge; do not assume every entrance allows private cars to reach the same place.
✦Bring a windproof outer layer and rain gear even in summer. At roughly 2,600-3,000 metres, the temperature can drop quickly with wind or rain.
✦In rain, snow, fog or increased falling-rock risk, skip deeper boardwalks and remote viewpoints, and keep the visit to safely accessible lakeside or gorge-entrance sections.
More Gannan Attractions
02Built Heritage
Labrang Monastery
拉卜楞寺
All Ages
Admission
CNY 40 standard admission; any concession depends on the ticket policy offered on the day.
Typical Visit
2-3 hours
03City Guide
Ganjia Grassland
甘加草原
Admission
No unified entrance ticket; public road sections are free, while private pasture access and activities are separate on-site arrangements.
Typical Visit
1-2 hours as part of a half-day drive
04City Guide
Ganjia Secret Realm
甘加秘境
Admission
Managed access and internal transport may apply; plan the day around the access arrangement available on arrival.
Typical Visit
6-7 hours for the full multi-stop route
05City Guide
Sangke Grassland
桑科草原
Admission
No unified entrance ticket; public road sections are free, while private pasture access and activities are separate on-site arrangements.
Typical Visit
A half-day scenic drive with flexible stops
06City Guide
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美仁草原
Admission
No unified entrance ticket; public road sections are free.
Typical Visit
30-60 minutes as a roadside stop