Yeliguan National Forest Park
Yeliguan is praised as "Yeliguan of mountains and waters, a great ecological garden" for its beautiful mountains and waters and its picturesque scenery.…
Yeliguan National Forest Park, Gannan
Key facts
- Admission
- Yehai Lake ¥60 per person, Chibi Valley ¥60 per person, Qinni Gully ¥60 per person, Lotus Mountain ¥30 per person, Forest Park ¥78 per person
- Opening hours
- 8:00–18:00 (April–October); closed at other times
- Time needed
- 5–6 hours
- Getting there
- Take a taxi or a chartered car from Gannan to reach the park.
- Guidebook rating
- 4 / 5
From China Self Guided Travel 2025, page 769. Open in Google Maps
About Yeliguan National Forest Park
Yeliguan is praised as "Yeliguan of mountains and waters, a great ecological garden" for its beautiful mountains and waters and its picturesque scenery. Its pleasant climate makes it an ideal summer resort. Highlights include the Heavenly Lake of Yehai, with its enchanting views, the lovely Yemu Gorge, and the wonderfully sculpted Chibi Valley.
Tips from the guidebook
- Since October 10, 2022, Chibi Valley and Tiandi Yehai within the Yeliguan scenic area have temporarily stopped receiving visitors. If you plan to visit, check official updates in advance.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Yeliguan National Forest Park cost?
Admission to Yeliguan National Forest Park is Yehai Lake ¥60 per person, Chibi Valley ¥60 per person, Qinni Gully ¥60 per person, Lotus Mountain ¥30 per person, Forest Park ¥78 per person, as listed in the 2025 guidebook. Prices can change; check the official channel before you go.
What are the opening hours of Yeliguan National Forest Park?
Yeliguan National Forest Park is open 8:00–18:00 (April–October); closed at other times.
How do I get to Yeliguan National Forest Park?
Take a taxi or a chartered car from Gannan to reach the park.
How long should I spend at Yeliguan National Forest Park?
Plan on 5–6 hours for Yeliguan National Forest Park.
Where is Yeliguan National Forest Park?
Yeliguan National Forest Park is in Gannan, Gansu Province, in the Northwest of China.
More places in Gannan
Langmu Monastery
Langmu Monastery lies where the borders of Gansu, Qinghai and Sichuan meet. It is said to be the place where Padmasambhava subdued demons. It is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery and houses the stupa containing the physical remains of its first living Buddha.
¥30 · 1–3 hours
Labrang Monastery
Founded in 1709, Labrang Monastery has six assembly halls, 84 Buddhist shrines, 31 towers, 30 Buddhist palace courtyards and more than 10,000 monks' residences. It is also home to the world's longest row of prayer wheels, which encircles the monastery grounds. Labrang has six colleges: the Exoteric Studies College (Wensi), the Lower College of Esoteric Teachings, the Upper College of Esoteric Teachings, the Hevajra College, the Kalachakra College and the Medical College. It is the largest Tibetan Buddhist institute of learning in the world. Incense is always burning at Labrang. It is especially lively during the great prayer festivals from the 4th to the 17th day of the first lunar month and from the 29th day of the sixth lunar month to the 15th day of the seventh lunar month, as well as during the Buddha-airing and scripture-debate events on the 13th day of the first lunar month and the 8th day of the seventh lunar month. Crowds of believers and monks gather from all directions to take part in or watch the prayer rituals, sacred dances, Tibetan opera, *Nanmote* performances and butter sculptures.
¥40 · 3–4 hours
Maqu Grassland
Maqu Grassland is where the Yellow River enters from the southwest and leaves to the northwest, forming the "First Bend of the Yellow River under Heaven." The Ximeiduo Hetang meadows stretch for dozens of kilometres. In mid-July the hillsides are covered with golden Tibetan globeflowers, and in August sky gentians bloom and turn the whole meadow a deep blue. In October, snow-white ranunculus flowers appear around the snowy surroundings. These are the three wonders of Ximeiduo Hetang's flowers. Every August, the Gesar Horse Racing Festival takes place and is wonderfully lively.
Free · 1 day
Zhagana Scenic Area
"Zhagana" means "stone casket." It is a complete natural "stone city." The explorer Joseph Rock compared it to a beautiful Garden of Eden, saying: "I have never seen scenery so magnificent in my life. This is truly virgin land, a sacred place for nature lovers and all sightseers." Its steep mountains and beautiful landscapes have earned it a place among the top ten "unknown peaks." Beneath the grand stone fortress lie villages with curling cooking smoke and simple, unpretentious folk customs, which many people imagine as a true peach-blossom paradise.
¥85 · 1 day
Ganjia Hidden Realm Scenic Area
Ganjia is a hidden realm that brings together an ancient town, monasteries, villages, meadows, canyons, karst caves, rivers and pastures. If you're not content with simply admiring the scenery, press on into the heartland, where you'll be surprised to find locals still practising the traditional craft of hand-sewing tents... In terms of unspoiled landscapes and authentic local culture, Ganjia is a model example: a secluded yet deeply rewarding hidden gem.
¥80 · 1 day
Sangke Grassland
Sangke Grassland, 10 km south of the Labrang Monastery area, is described in international travel guides as "a place rivalling the Native American grasslands in the film *Dances with Wolves*." It is also regarded as an auspicious land.
Free · 3–4 hours