Major city · China
Garzê甘孜
Spend 2–3 days in Garzê: one night for the monastery and town, a second day for nearby grasslands or a short trek.
Garzê sits at 3,400 m in Sichuan’s Kham region. Its Tibetan culture, Garzê Monastery and nearby grasslands are the main draws. A short stay lets you see the town, attend a festival (if in season) and take a day trip to Tagong or Maren Grassland. Longer trips are needed for Yading trekking.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CNY
- Best months
- May–September
- avoid December–February (harsh winter, limited services)
- Airport
- CTU
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 7
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- China ↗Most nationalities need a visa, a unilateral visa-free entry (the list and end dates change) or the transit exemption below. Confirm your route on the official sites before you buy a ticket.
- China ↗Transit stay without a visa: up to 240 hours (10 days) for citizens of about 55 listed countries who pass through China to a third country or region, with a confirmed onward ticket and a stay inside the permitted area (Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei count as one area). It replaced the 144-hour rule in December 2024, which some older pages still quote. Use the transit lane at immigration, show the onward ticket, and check the current nationality list. Hong Kong and Macau count as separate regions; check whether your ticket qualifies.
- China ↗Foreign visitors must register their address with the police within 24 hours; hotels do it at check-in with your passport. Carry the original passport at all times: hotels, trains, museums, Tiananmen Square and police checks ask for it.
- China ↗Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you fly. QR payment is the default in shops, taxis and many stalls, and some places refuse cash or a foreign card. Carry cash as a backup.
- China ↗Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and many news sites are blocked. Use an eSIM with roaming (it routes through your home network) or install and test a VPN before you fly; VPN sites and app stores are hard to reach inside China, and only government-approved VPNs are officially permitted.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Garzê110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Garzê, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Alipay and WeChat Pay accept Visa, Mastercard, JCB and Amex cards; single payments over ¥200 (≈ US$30) carry a fee of about 3% on a foreign card (smaller ones…China-wide
- SIM or eSIMA roaming eSIM from outside China routes traffic through its home network, so Google, WhatsApp and Instagram work without a VPN — the simplest setup.China-wide
- Tap waterNot for drinking from the tap; bottled water ¥2–5 (≈ under US$1), and kettles and free bottles in hotel rooms.China-wide
- TippingRestaurants: No tip; upmarket hotels add 10–15% service.China-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C/I. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.China-wide
- SafetyAltitude and road conditions are the main risks; basic health services are limited, so carry a basic medical kit.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are frequent and free; squat toilets outside hotels and malls.China-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire · 120 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums and palaces close on Mondays; the Forbidden City too (outside holidays).China-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckCTU Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (≈3.5 h bus to Garzê; check connections).
- Getting aroundWalk the town centre; taxis charge ≤¥6 (≈ under US$1) anywhere in town.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi within town¥6 (≈ under US$1) max
- Metro or bus rideLocal bus to Kangding¥150 (≈ US$25)
- Budget bedGuesthouse dorm bed, a night, per personCN¥30 (≈ US$5)
- Mid-range bedDouble room (shared bathroom), a night, per roomCN¥120 (≈ US$17)
- High-end bedDouble room (shared bathroom), a night, per roomCN¥200 (≈ US$30)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CN¥80 (≈ US$12) · Mid CN¥150 (≈ US$25) · High CN¥300 (≈ US$45)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- CTU Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (≈3.5 h bus to Garzê; check connections)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Feb
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Mar
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Apr
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
May
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jun
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jul
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Aug
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Sep
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Oct
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Nov
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Dec
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)), coolest Dec (−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C) low), wettest Jun (10 rain days), driest Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Garzê: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
5 rd
Feb
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
5 rd
Mar
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
7 rd
Apr
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
8 rd
May
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
9 rd
Jun
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
10 rd
Jul
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
8 rd
Aug
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
7 rd
Sep
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
6 rd
Oct
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
5 rd
Nov
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
5 rd
Dec
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk the town centre; taxis charge ≤¥6 anywhere in town. Bike rentals are available for short rides to outskirts. For longer trips use shared minivans or long‑distance buses (e.g., to Tagong, Litang).
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Tagong Grassland
goDoor to door: ≈5 h
Shared minivan from Garzê bus station, about ¥100 (≈ US$14), 5 h ride
Flat road, good for photography and a short hike.
Maren Grassland Scenic Area
goDoor to door: ≈4 h
Local minibus, ¥80 (≈ US$12), 4 h
Open grassland, horse riding possible in summer.
Yading (Daocheng County)
cautionDoor to door: ≈14 h
Long‑distance bus to Daocheng (≈¥200, 12 h) then local transport
Requires full day and overnight stay; best with a guide.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Hong Fu Guest House
Family‑run, 4‑bed dormitory, hot shower, ¥30 per bed
Chengxin Binguan
Double or triple rooms, ¥70–150, shared bathroom (extra ¥10 for shower)
Snowland Hotel
Doubles with bathroom ¥100, without bathroom ¥50, ethernet internet
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥80–120 (≈ US$12–17), excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥150–250 (≈ US$25–35), excl. bed
- High
- ¥300 (≈ US$45)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse dorm bed2 × 2 nights × CN¥45 | CN¥180 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × CN¥150 | CN¥600 |
| Taxi within town (max)2 × CN¥6 | CN¥12 |
| Minivan to Tagong (round‑trip)2 × CN¥100 · check | CN¥200 |
| eSIM data (1 week)2 × CN¥200 · check | CN¥400 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CN¥139 |
| Trip total≈ CN¥383 per person per day, bed included | CN¥1,531≈ US$250 |
2026 estimate in yuan; flights and long‑distance bus tickets excluded.
Prices of common things
| Local bus to Kangding | ¥150 (≈ US$25) |
| Taxi within town | ¥6 (≈ under US$1) max |
| Yogurt tea (butter tea) | ¥10 (≈ US$2) |
| Yak meat hotpot (single serving) | ¥30–50 (≈ US$5–7) |
| Tibetan barley bread (tsampa) | ¥5 (≈ under US$1) |
| Entrance to Garzê Monastery | Free |
| Entrance to Hailuogou Glacier Park (day trip) | ¥160 (≈ US$25) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Altitude: acclimatise, stay hydrated.
- Winter buses are rare; most visitors come in summer.
- Roads can be bumpy; sit in front seats on long buses.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire
- 119
- Ambulance
- 120
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Garzê甘孜
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
请到这个地址To this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire119
- Ambulance120
Embassy
US consular services are in Chengdu; check the embassy page for details.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Garzê → Tagong minivan: ≈ ¥100 round‑trip (check)
- Taxi Garzê town centre → any address: ≤ ¥6 (≈ under US$1)
Say or show
- 对不起 — Excuse me / Sorry (duìbuqǐ)
- 谢谢 — Thank you (xièxiè)
- 多少钱？ — How much is it? (duōshǎo qián?)
- 可以刷卡吗？ — Can I pay by card? (kěyǐ shuākǎ ma?)
- 厕所在哪里？ — Where is the toilet? (cèsuǒ zài nǎlǐ?)
- 请给我水 — I need water, please (qǐng gěi wǒ shuǐ)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Garzê. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–September · avoid December–February (harsh winter, limited services) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Garzê → Tagong → Litang → Kangding for extended Kham loop.
- Add Yading trek with two‑night base in Daocheng.
Sources
Ask about Garzê
Loading…