Has anyone been to Xiahe and/or Langmusi ?
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Has anyone been to Xiahe and/or Langmusi ?
Hello,
I have two weeks off in May and was thinking of visiting Xiahe and Langmusi. I was wondering if anyone has been to either of those two areas and what are your thoughts? Easy to get to and is either place worth a visit ?
My plan is the following:
1. fly into Beijing from the U.S.
2. spend a night in Beijing. Is there a hotel right in the airport or within walking distance of ?
3. fly next morning out to Lanzhou.
4. catch bus to Langmusi. Spend a couple of days there.
5. catch bus to Xiahe. Spend a couple of days there.
6. bus back to Lanzhou to fly back to Beijing and then fly home.
7. If I have an extra full day or two after #5 then I might squeeze in Xian. I've been there before but would love to revisit the Old Muslim quarter (and eat the food !) if time permit.
Thanks
Alex
I have two weeks off in May and was thinking of visiting Xiahe and Langmusi. I was wondering if anyone has been to either of those two areas and what are your thoughts? Easy to get to and is either place worth a visit ?
My plan is the following:
1. fly into Beijing from the U.S.
2. spend a night in Beijing. Is there a hotel right in the airport or within walking distance of ?
3. fly next morning out to Lanzhou.
4. catch bus to Langmusi. Spend a couple of days there.
5. catch bus to Xiahe. Spend a couple of days there.
6. bus back to Lanzhou to fly back to Beijing and then fly home.
7. If I have an extra full day or two after #5 then I might squeeze in Xian. I've been there before but would love to revisit the Old Muslim quarter (and eat the food !) if time permit.
Thanks
Alex
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Yes I have been to both, all overland. Xiahe is definitely worth visiting. Langmusi IMO is a bit of a dump but a lot of travelers like it and particularly those who are doing a horse trek out of there. Xiahe is more accessible than it used to be since the airport became operational. Langmusi is less easily accessed--only by road. Lanzhou to Xiahe by bus is about 4 hours. Xiahe to Langmusi by bus is another 4-ish hours and there's only one direct daily bus leaving about 07:30. Flights are available Xiahe (GXH) to Xian (XIY) on Sichuan Airlines 3U8599, operates MWFSu afternoon. I suggest that you use that flight to get from Xiahe to Xi'an, but wait until about 2-4 weeks ahead to book since likely the price will drop from the RMB 900's to the 500's. Use www.ctrip.com to book. If you have the cash, you might want to consider just flying both ways from Xi'an into Xiahe then back. Saves you dealing with Lanzhou, which is a bit of a throwaway city (good food though) and a lot of transferring and bus maneuvers. Don't miss a visit to the grasslands outside one or the other--the ones near Xiahe are easier to deal with as a part day-trip using local driver. In May the Tibetan nomads should be moving lots of herds up there and it's pretty interesting. Something to see in addition to the monasteries, villages, etc. Very little English is spoken up there so just be prepared to use phrase book, phrase app, charades, etc. The Black Tent Cafe is a good English-speaking place in Langmusi and they keep an informative website reasonably accurate for those parts: www.langmusi.net
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I had an additional thought. If you have two weeks and you haven't yet been to Jiuzhaigou and or Chengdu, you have enough time to do so. It would be a meatier trip, though it would add another of cost magnitude. Routing Beijing > Xi'an > Xiahe > Langmusi > Huanglong/Jiuzhaigou > Chengdu > Beijing.
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Thanks for the reply !
I didn't know there's an airport operational at Xiahe. I've been reading a couple of guide books, and the closest airport they mentioned was in Lanzhou. The airport must've been a very recent update. I would gladly skip Lanzhou and save some transit time.
I'm getting up there in age and usually just prefer hanging at one location for a few days , but I'll check out your suggested schedule to see if I'm able to fit some of it in.
I didn't know there's an airport operational at Xiahe. I've been reading a couple of guide books, and the closest airport they mentioned was in Lanzhou. The airport must've been a very recent update. I would gladly skip Lanzhou and save some transit time.
I'm getting up there in age and usually just prefer hanging at one location for a few days , but I'll check out your suggested schedule to see if I'm able to fit some of it in.
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I drove from Lanzhou to Xiahe so can't help you with transportation to there but as far as I know, there is a small airport but the flights to there are not daily. Very interesting place to visit.
Just an additional note. I was there in May two years ago, around mid-May and we woke up to some snow one morning. So make sure that you dress properly.
I stayed at the Overseas Tibetan hotel and the owner speaks good English and is very helpful to assist you with transportation and visits to the grasslands or whatever.
Just an additional note. I was there in May two years ago, around mid-May and we woke up to some snow one morning. So make sure that you dress properly.
I stayed at the Overseas Tibetan hotel and the owner speaks good English and is very helpful to assist you with transportation and visits to the grasslands or whatever.