Major city · China
Manigango
Half a day to a full day: see Yihun Lhatso lake, ride a horse on the plateau, then move on to Ganzi or Dêgê. Not a base.
Manigango is a Tibetan truck-stop town at 3,800 m in Ganzi prefecture, halfway between Ganzi and Dêgê. Its draw is the high-altitude landscape — Yihun Lhatso lake, horse treks across the grassland — and the chance to see a working Tibetan settlement with few other travellers. One night is enough; most visitors pass through in a day.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CNY
- Best months
- May–Oct
- avoid Nov–Apr (cold, some roads may close)
- Airport
- check
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
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
Emergency numbers for Manigango110 ▾
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 Manigango, 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 sickness is the main risk; ascend slowly, drink water, avoid alcohol.
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.
- Airportcheckcheck Nearest airport: Kangding (KGT) or Chengdu (CTU) (Manigango has no airport; fly to Kangding or Chengdu, then bus/minibus to Ganzi and onward.).
- Getting aroundWalk.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealNoodles or yak-butter tea at the truck stopcheck¥10–20 (≈ US$2–3)
- Museum or sight ticketEntry fee Yihun Lhatsocheck¥20 (≈ US$3)
- Budget bedDorm bed (4-bed), a night, per personCN¥30 (≈ US$5)
- Mid-range bedDouble room (basic, shared bath), a night, per roomCN¥120 (≈ US$17)
- High-end bedDouble room (basic, shared bath), a night, per roomCN¥200 (≈ US$30)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CN¥100 (≈ US$14) · Mid CN¥200 (≈ US$30) · High CN¥350 (≈ US$50)
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
- check Nearest airport: Kangding (KGT) or Chengdu (CTU) (Manigango has no airport; fly to Kangding or Chengdu, then bus/minibus to Ganzi and onward.)
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
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Mar
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Apr
Avoid
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
May
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Jun
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jul
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Aug
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Sep
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Oct
Best
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Nov
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Dec
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Best: May–Oct. Avoid: Nov–Apr. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)), coolest Jan (−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C) low), wettest Jul (18 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Manigango: 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)
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
2 rd
Feb
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
3 rd
Mar
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
5 rd
Apr
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
8 rd
May
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
12 rd
Jun
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
16 rd
Jul
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
18 rd
Aug
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
16 rd
Sep
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
13 rd
Oct
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
8 rd
Nov
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
3 rd
Dec
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°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
Walk. The town is small; Yihun Lhatso lake is 13 km west — hire a horse, take a taxi or hitch.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Yihun Lhatso lake
goDoor to door: Half day
Horse (2–4 h), taxi or hitch 13 km (8.1 mi) west on the Dêgê roadHorse (2–4 h), taxi or hitch 8.1 mi (13 km) west on the Dêgê road
Entry fee ¥20 (check). Horse ¥200 + guide ¥100 (check).
Ganzi
goDoor to door: About 3 h
Minibus, 2–3 h
¥30–40 (check).
Dêgê
goDoor to door: About 4 h
Minibus, about 3–4 h
Road condition check.
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.
Main fork area
Most guesthouses are on the road to Dêgê, within 300 m of the fork. Basic, shared bathrooms, no shower in some.
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
- ¥100–200 (≈ US$14–30) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥200–350 (≈ US$30–50) excl. bed
- High
- ¥350 (≈ US$50)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Dorm bed (4-bed)1 × 1 night × CN¥30 | CN¥30 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × CN¥100 | CN¥100 |
| Horse trek to Yihun Lhatso (horse + guide)1 × CN¥300 · check | CN¥300 |
| Entry fee Yihun Lhatso1 × CN¥20 · check | CN¥20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CN¥45 |
| Trip total≈ CN¥495 per person per day, bed included | CN¥495≈ US$70 |
check
2026 estimate in CNY; transport to/from Manigango excluded.
Prices of common things
| Noodles or yak-butter tea at the truck stopcheck | ¥10–20 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Minibus Ganzi–Manigangocheck | ¥30–40 (≈ US$5–6) |
| Horse trek (horse + guide)check | ¥300 (≈ US$45) |
| Entry fee Yihun Lhatsocheck | ¥20 (≈ US$3) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Altitude: 3,800 m; take it easy on arrival, drink water.
- Most accommodation lacks running water and bathrooms; check before booking.
- No ATM or bank in town (check); bring enough cash from Ganzi or Dêgê.
- Last minibus passes may leave earlier than posted; confirm the day before.
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.
ManigangoManigango
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
请到这个地址To this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire119
- Ambulance120
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Minibus Ganzi–Manigango: ¥30–40 (≈ US$5–6), 2–3 h (check)
- Horse trek to Yihun Lhatso: ¥200 (≈ US$30) horse + ¥100 (≈ US$14) guide (check)
- Entry fee Yihun Lhatso: ¥20 (≈ US$3) (check)
Say or show
- 你好 — Hello (nǐ hǎo)
- 谢谢 — Thank you (xiè xie)
- 多少钱？ — How much? (duō shao qián?)
- 我不懂 — I don't understand (wǒ bù dǒng)
- 厕所在哪里？ — Where is the toilet? (cè suǒ zài nǎ lǐ?)
Mandarin is widely understood; Tibetan is spoken locally. Cash only in Manigango.
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 Manigango. 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–Oct · avoid Nov–Apr (cold, some roads may close) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Yihun Lhatso lake and horse-trek operators with verified prices and seasonal availability.
- Accommodation pages with confirmed running water and shower status.
- Transport schedule page for Ganzi–Manigango–Dêgê minibuses.
Sources
Ask about Manigango
Loading…
Was this useful?