China Travel Guidesizy.cn

One sky. One dream.

Xiahe, Gansu: Breathtaking Silk Road Views

The Best Views in Xiahe - Day Seven on the Silk Road

Destination:ChinaProvince:GansuCity:Xiahe
The Best Views in Xiahe - Day Seven on the Silk Road
James and Keli10 min

The Best Views in Xiahe - Day Seven on the. This was filmed by James and Keli. Watch the full journey and explore the filming details and destinations on this page.

Xiahe is absolutely gorgeous! We were blessed with great weather, clear skies, and beautiful views. This video will inspire you to put Xiahe on your list. Day seven on the Silk Road, make sure to check out our Silk Road tour from the beginning! We are James and Keli, previously Two Tickets Around the World. We are originally from Kansas in the United States and after many years of traveling during our holidays together, we took a leap of faith and moved to China. While we teach English during the week, we use our holidays and weekends to explore the different wonders of China. Once the borders open, we'll continue our adventures exploring the rest of the world. Until then, let's explore China together.

--- James and Keli
January 7, 2021, Winter in China

Travel Guides & Tips in this video

On their seventh Silk Road day, James and Keli visit Sangka grasslands near Xiahe and hike around Labrang Monastery. They reach the grasslands by bike or taxi and walk along a wooden bridge, moving beyond the crowded front section. The monastery trail introduces Buddhist customs around clockwise walking, which locals explain after the couple initially head the other way. A taxi challenge and a pressurized toothpaste tube add lighter moments to the day, along with a local child offering candy.

Next travel video:

More about the current video:()

The Best Views in Xiahe - Day Seven on the Silk Road

Sangka grasslands and the bridge walk

James and Keli, who moved from Kansas to China, spend their seventh Silk Road day in Xiahe. They go to the Sangka grasslands, which can be reached by renting a bike from Snowy Mountain Cafe or taking a taxi. Their taxi costs 30 kuai. They walk along the wooden bridge and find that continuing past the crowded entrance area leads to a less busy part of the path. The grasslands and nearby mountains provide a scenic start to the day.

The couple then plan a hike around Labrang Monastery. They initially walk counter-clockwise, but locals politely correct them and explain the importance of moving clockwise in Buddhist tradition. The encounter adds context to the route and reminds them to pay attention to local customs. They meet friendly residents along the trail, including a child who greets them and offers candy.

Hike, taxi and small travel challenges

Transportation back to town proves difficult at first, but persistence helps the couple continue their plan. The hike gives them views of the monastery and surrounding landscape. James and Keli also struggle with a pressurized toothpaste tube at high altitude, a humorous detail that brings a practical issue into the travel story. They recommend toothpaste tablets for travelers concerned about pressure changes.

The video combines open grassland, a monastery walk, local interaction and a few unexpected logistics. James and Keli reflect on the experience as part of a longer Silk Road journey. Their advice includes choosing a way to reach the grasslands, leaving time for the hike and respecting the clockwise direction explained by locals.

The trip back to town is not immediately straightforward, and the couple encounter taxi trouble before they can continue. Once on the trail, local people offer a polite correction about walking clockwise. They also meet a child who greets them and offers candy. Those interactions shape the visit as much as the scenery. The toothpaste problem happens because the tube is pressurized at altitude; the couple suggest tablets as a practical alternative. Together, the small challenges turn a short outing into a set of useful travel observations about transport, trail customs and high-altitude packing.

FAQs (From the traveler's perspective)

Q: How did James and Keli get to Sangka grasslands?
A: They could rent bicycles from Snowy Mountain Cafe or take a taxi, which cost 30 kuai.
Q: Why did they change direction on the Labrang Monastery trail?
A: They were walking counter-clockwise, and locals explained that Buddhist tradition calls for walking clockwise. The hike gives them views of the monastery and surrounding landscape, but local hikers correct their counter-clockwise direction and explain that Buddhist custom calls for walking clockwise. They change direction in response.
Q: What happened to their toothpaste?
A: At high altitude the tube became pressurized and difficult to open, so toothpaste tablets were useful as a backup.

Previous travel video:

Xiahe, Gansu: Breathtaking Silk Road Views

Xiahe is absolutely gorgeous! We were blessed with great weather, clear skies, and beautiful views. This video will inspire you to put Xiahe on your list. Day seven on the Silk Road, make sure to check out our Silk Road tour from the beginning! Support us monthly on Patreon! We have monthly tiers to...

Xiahe Silk Road: Sangka Grasslands & Labrang Monastery Hike

Explore the breathtaking beauty of Xiahe, a captivating destination on the Silk Road. James and Keli, a travel couple, share their unforgettable journey, showcasing stunning views and inspiring you to add Xiahe to your travel list. Their seventh day on the Silk Road is filled with clear skies and picturesque landscapes, promising an enriching travel experience.

Attractions in this video: Labrang Monastery, Sangka Grasslands