Zoigê (Ruoergai) Travel Guide

Zoigê (Ruoergai) is a vast land of prairies lying in the northeast edge of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the northernmost Ngawa (Aba) Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, northern Sichuan. It borders Jiuzhaigou County, Hongyuan County and Aba County in the south and 4 counties of Gansu Province in the north. It is located about 320 km from Aba’s capital city - Barkam and nearly 470 km from Chengdu. Covering a territory of 10,620 square meters, 4 towns and 13 countries, Ruoergai is the biggest county in Aba Prefecture and its average elevation is about 3,500m. (Zhadasi Town is the county seat.)

For the location on golden triangle among Sichuan, Gansu and Qinghai on the Ancient Tea Horse Road, Ruoergai was a vital transfer business port between Chengdu and China’s western plateau area. Well know as the “Most Beautiful Alpine Wetland Grassland in China” and the “Hometown of Chinese Black-necked Crane”, “Oasis on Northwestern Sichuan Plateau” and “Clouds of Heaven”, Ruoergai is deeply considered as another Shangri-La and Jiangnan, pictured by beautiful natural scenery, pristine customs, flocks and herds, jagged rocks, dreamlike sea of flowers, magnificent forests, unique religious cultures, etc.

Why visit Zoigê:

• Most Beautiful Prairie and Wetland: Zoigê Prairie spreading over tens of kilometers has been awarded as the “Most Wetland in China” by National Geographic Magazine in 2005. It is China’s most flat and vast grassland, the second largest after the Hulunbuir grasslands of inner Mongolia. Summer green grasslands, charming dotted lakes and Tibetan tents, flocks and herds makes a super gorgeous natural painting.
• Incredible Return Bend of Yellow River: It is said that, Yellow River has total 99 bends from headstream to marine outfall, two wonders are most impressive. Compared to powerful Hukou Waterfall, the first bend in Ruoergai with a big turn of nearly 180 degree is gentle and quiet like a young girl. She meets the green carpet suddenly and then flies to Qinghai afterwards. It’s an ideal shooting site, when the belt-shaped yellow waters perfectly draws a lovely sight with the vast grasslands.
• Holy Tibetan Buddhist Temple and Culture: Bailong River cuts Langmusi Town into two parts with two branches of Langmu Temple. Langmu Temple in the south is located in Ruoergai. Distinctive architectures, Buddhists and traditions and living Buddhas flesh are top essences inside the 600-year old Tibetan monastery.
• Wonderful Biological Paradise: Zoigê exactly locates at the transition zone between Sichuan Basin and alpine plateau. Lots of gifts have been given by nature, including grasslands, forests, plain, mountains, lakes, many wild fauna and flora.

Top Attractions

Grand and marvellous wetland landscape is the biggest high spot appealing to tourists. Imagine your refreshing computer desktop wallpaper live real world in front of your eyes. Open your heart and arms to embrace the land, ride horse to experience as the local herds and learn Buddhist culture while visiting religious sites.

Zoige Grassland

The second biggest prairie in China, a superb picturesque and poetic heaven decorated by blue sky, white clouds, green grass, colorful flowers...

First Bend of Yellow River

Mother River - Yellow River make a magic 180-degree turn, looking like a shape of 卍 and Yin-Yang Diagram.

Langmusi Town

The isolation from modern cities, tranquil atmosphere and featured architectural style and Buddhist relief rightly explain the core of Tibetan Buddhism.

Flower Lake

Located in inside the heartland of Ruoergai Prairie, it is the “Home of Black-neck Crane” with boundless wild grasslands, blue sky, hundreds of lakes ...

Zoigê Weather & Climate - Best Time to Visit

Zoigê belongs to plateau cold temperate humid monsoon zone without hot summer, because its average annual temperature is 1.1℃ low, without frost-free period all year round. The yearly rainfall is about 656.8mm and it rains more in late Spring and Summer, from end of May to Mid July. Every year from late September, it begins frozen season until May in the next year. So, May to September is the best time to travel to Ruoergai, and seize the most beautiful sights.

Zoigê Transportation

How to Get to Zoigê (Ruoergai)

By Flight: Currently, there is no airport located in Zoigê County, but you can get near Ruoergai by taking flights from Chengdu/Beijing to Jiuzhai Huanglong Airport, or Chengdu/Lhasa to Hongyuan Airport in Sichuan, or Chengdu/Xian/Lhasa/Ningxia to Xiahe Airport in Gansu first and then take a bus or private driving journey to transfer to Zoigê (within 2 hours by ).

By Train: So far, no railway and trains running to Zoigê. (Xining-Chengdu Railway being built now will offer convenient and shorter train travel to main scenic spots in Ruoergai from Chengdu, Jiuzhaigou, Mao County, Songpan, etc )

By Road: Getting to Zoigê by road via National Highway 213, 248 and 345 may be a long ride, but definitely a scenic trip worthy of your time and effort. Usually, travelers leave from Chengdu, pass Dujiangyan, Wenchuan, visit UNESCCO Natural Heritage - Jiuzhaigou & Huanglong National Parks, and continue sightseeing in Zoigê and extend journey to Hongyuan and other places in Ngawa.

How to Get around Zoigê (Ruoergai)

Zoigê is not big and the major attractions to visit is in the north and southwest areas. Public transportation is limited in Zoigê. For foreign travelers, the most recommended and convenient way is to travel with China Discovery, enjoy our worry-free transfer service in clean, safe and comfortable vehicle without concern baggage storage.

>>Read More about Zoige Transportation

Zoigê Accommodation

Since Zoigê is in remote northern Sichuan, the accommodation options and conditions are not good as in Chengdu or other cities you’ve been visited. The average facilities are simple and basic. You’re suggested to stay either in town or find hotel, local farmhouse near Ruoergai Prairie (Wetland), First Blend of Yellow River if you plan to stay overnight in Zoigê. Please be assured that, as an experienced travel agency proving high-quality services in best value for all guests, China Discovery will make you rest well in a clean and comfortable room always.

Zoigê Maps

To help you better know the location of Zoigê County and where its main attractions located to plan your Zoigê tours, we selected most useful Zoigê maps below for you. They are all updated, free to download!

Zoige Sichuan Map

Zoige Ngawa Map

Zoige Attractions Map

Other Aba Attractions to Travel with Zoigê

Totally, there are 13 great destinations in Ngawa (Aba) Prefecture offering tourists rich natural wonders and special minority culture to discover, such as Jiuzhaigou and Songpan knwon for the UNESCO World Natural Heritages - Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong National Parks, Xiaojin with the "Queen of Sichuan Mountains" - Mount Siguniang, etc. Check more interesting places and useful travel tips of Ngawa (Aba) to start your Ngawa adventure!

Jiuzhaigou Velly

Huanglong National Park

Mt.Siguniang

Bipenggou

Other Destinations in Sichuan

Besides Chengdu, there are some other destinations in Sichuan well worth your visit. Transfer to the following destinations and explore the World Heritage Sites - Leshan Giant Buddha & Mount Emei, Jiuzhaigou Valley, Dujiangyan Irrigation System and Mount Qingcheng. Discover more Sichaun now!

Leshan

Emeishan

Jiuzhaigou

Dujiangyan & Qingchengshan