Major city · China
Xiahe夏河
Give Xiahe 2 nights for Labrang Monastery and the kora; add a third only if you want a grassland or Bajiao day trip by hired car.
Xiahe is a Tibetan town in Gansu built around Labrang Monastery, one of the six great Gelukpa monasteries, at about 2,900 m. The town is one main street along the Daxia River: monastery in the middle, Tibetan west end, Chinese commercial east end. Most travellers come for the monastery, the pilgrim kora and the surrounding grasslands, and stay two nights.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CNY
- Best months
- Jun–Sep for green grasslands and warm days; Oct for clear light with cold nights
- avoid Dec–Feb (deep cold, many guesthouses shut); Tibetan New Year periods when the monastery is crowded or restricted
- Airport
- GXH
- 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.
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 Xiahe110 ▾
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 Xiahe, 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
- SafetyXiahe is calm and low-crime, and the real risks are altitude, cold nights, occasional utility cuts and the rare foreign-visitor closure around the…
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.
- AirportGXH Gannan Xiahe Airport (About 70 km (43 mi) from town; flights from Chengdu, Lhasa, Xi'an and Yinchuan; no airport bus into Xiahe, so arrange a car).GXH Gannan Xiahe Airport (About 43 mi (70 km) from town; flights from Chengdu, Lhasa, Xi'an and Yinchuan; no airport bus into Xiahe, so arrange a car).
- Getting aroundThe town is compact and walkable: bus station to monastery about 10 min on foot.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealLocal bus along the main street¥1 (≈ under US$1)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Shared taxi along the main street¥2–4 (≈ under US$1) per person
- Museum or sight ticketLabrang Monastery entrySmaller chapels add about ¥10; halls can close for ceremonies.¥40 (≈ US$6)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personCN¥30 (≈ US$5)
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per roomCN¥150 (≈ US$25)
- High-end bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per roomCN¥300 (≈ US$45)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CN¥150 (≈ US$25) · Mid CN¥300 (≈ US$45) · High CN¥600 (≈ US$85)
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
- GXH Gannan Xiahe Airport (About 70 km (43 mi) from town; flights from Chengdu, Lhasa, Xi'an and Yinchuan; no airport bus into Xiahe, so arrange a car)GXH Gannan Xiahe Airport (About 43 mi (70 km) from town; flights from Chengdu, Lhasa, Xi'an and Yinchuan; no airport bus into Xiahe, so arrange a car)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Feb
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Mar
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Apr
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
May
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jun
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jul
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Aug
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Sep
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Oct
Best
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Nov
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Dec
Avoid
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Best: Jun–Oct. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)), coolest Jan (−14°C (7°F)7°F (−14°C) low), wettest Jul (17 rain days), driest Dec (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Xiahe: 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
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−14°C (7°F)7°F (−14°C)
3 rd
Feb
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−11°C (12°F)12°F (−11°C)
4 rd
Mar
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
6 rd
Apr
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
8 rd
May
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
12 rd
Jun
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
15 rd
Jul
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
17 rd
Aug
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
15 rd
Sep
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
14 rd
Oct
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
9 rd
Nov
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
4 rd
Dec
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−13°C (9°F)9°F (−13°C)
2 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
The town is compact and walkable: bus station to monastery about 10 min on foot. Local buses run the main street for ¥1 (WeChat or Alipay). Shared electric scooters have stations around town. Taxis and shared cars charge ¥2–4 per person along the main street regardless of distance; pay per seat if bags take a seat. For out-of-town sights, hire a car by the day.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Sangke grasslands
goDoor to door: Half a day
Bicycle or hired car 12 km (7.5 mi) out of townBicycle or hired car 7.5 mi (12 km) out of town
Nomad tents and yak herds; the town itself has nothing to see, so head into the grass.
Bajiao Cheng and White Rock Cliffs
goDoor to door: 5–8 h round trip by car
Hired car about ¥400 (≈ US$60) per vehicle per day, or early bus toward Tongren and get off at Ganjia
Han-dynasty walled village, still lived in, ¥10 entry; cliffs and a small monastery at the valley's north end.
Darzong Lake
cautionDoor to door: 2–3 h by car
Taxi round trip about ¥100 (≈ US$14), or bus toward Linxia or Hezuo and walk 1 h from the highway turnoff
Highland lake above 3,000 m; ¥10 fee at the village on the way in.
Tongren
overnightDoor to door: About 3 h each way
One morning bus, about 3 h
Thangka-artist town in Qinghai; too far for a comfortable return day.
Langmusi
overnightDoor to door: About 4.5 h
Two buses a day, 06:00 and 14:00, about 4 h 30 minTwo buses a day, 6:00 AM and 2:00 PM, about 4 h 30 min
Tibetan town on the Gansu–Sichuan border; sleep there rather than double back.
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.
West end, near the monastery
Guesthouse cluster 10 min walk from the bus station and 5 min from the monastery gate; best for a short stay.
Renmin Xijie / riverside
Tara, Overseas Tibetan, Nirvana and Baoma sit along here; restaurants and coffee within 100 m.
Sangke grassland camps
Tent and cabin stays 12 km (7.5 mi) out; go only if you have your own transport or a booked transfer.Tent and cabin stays 7.5 mi (12 km) out; go only if you have your own transport or a booked transfer.
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
- ¥150–250 (≈ US$25–35) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥250–450 (≈ US$35–65) excl. bed
- High
- ¥450 (≈ US$65)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse double room1 × 2 nights × CN¥150 | CN¥300 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × CN¥300 | CN¥1,200 |
| Labrang Monastery entry ticket2 × CN¥40 | CN¥80 |
| Hired car, one day around the grasslands1 × CN¥400 | CN¥400 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × CN¥100 | CN¥200 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CN¥218 |
| Trip total≈ CN¥600 per person per day, bed included | CN¥2,398≈ US$350 |
2026 estimate in yuan; long-distance buses and flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Local bus along the main street | ¥1 (≈ under US$1) |
| Shared taxi along the main street | ¥2–4 (≈ under US$1) per person |
| Labrang Monastery entrySmaller chapels add about ¥10; halls can close for ceremonies. | ¥40 (≈ US$6) |
| Man Jus'ri hall entry | ¥60 (≈ US$9) |
| Gongtang Chorten entry | ¥10 (≈ US$2) |
| Bowl of momo or a noodle dish | ¥7–20 (≈ US$1–3) |
| Yak butter tea | ¥4 (≈ under US$1) |
| Bus Xiahe → LanzhouAbout 3 h 30 min; morning and afternoon departures. | ¥75 (≈ US$11) |
| Bus Xiahe → LinxiaAbout 2 h; several departures through the day. | ¥32 (≈ US$5) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Xiahe is occasionally closed to foreign visitors when authorities expect trouble around the monastery; check before booking and carry your passport.
- At about 2,900 m, altitude affects some visitors: take the first day slow, drink water, skip alcohol.
- Some hostels listed on booking sites do not hold a permit to host foreigners; confirm yours does before you pay.
- Do not buy whole animal furs or skins sold along Renmin Xilu; many are from poached or protected species.
- Electricity and water cuts happen; keep a power bank and a bottle of water.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire
- 119
- Ambulance
- 120
Pocket card
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Xiahe夏河
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
请到这个地址To this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire119
- Ambulance120
Embassy
No embassies in Xiahe; most countries handle Gansu from their embassy in Beijing, with consulates-general in Chengdu or Xi'an for some. Check your own country's list.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus station → monastery area: 10 min on foot
- Local bus, main street: ¥1 (≈ under US$1), pay by WeChat or Alipay
- Shared taxi, main street: ¥2–4 (≈ under US$1) per person
- Hired car, day trip: about ¥400 (≈ US$60) per vehicle per day
Say or show
- 你好 — Hello (nǐ hǎo)
- 谢谢 — Thank you (xiè xie)
- 多少钱？ — How much is it? (duō shao qián)
- 可以用微信或支付宝吗？ — Can I pay by WeChat or Alipay? (kě yǐ yòng wēi xìn huò zhī fù bǎo ma)
- 洗手间在哪里？ — Where is the toilet? (xǐ shǒu jiān zài nǎ lǐ)
- 请到这个地址 — To this address, please (qǐng dào zhè ge dì zhǐ)
Tibetan is widely spoken here; Mandarin works in shops and at the bus station.
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 Xiahe. 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: Jun–Sep for green grasslands and warm days; Oct for clear light with cold nights · avoid Dec–Feb (deep cold, many guesthouses shut); Tibetan New Year periods when the monastery is crowded or restricted · 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
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for GXH: confirm the 70 km transfer and a driver before landing, since there is no airport bus.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: monastery gate and kora, Renmin Xijie, the bus station, the river and Thangka terrace.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Labrang Monastery, Man Jus'ri hall, Gongtang Chorten, Thangka sunning terrace) and eat pages with last orders.
- Closure and altitude fixtures so gates A–D can go green.