Ruo'ergai (Zoige) Travel Guide
Ruo’ergai(Zoige) is a large area of grassland and marshland located located at the eastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau in northern Sichuan Province near Jiuzhaigou bordering Gansu Province. It is the place that separates Yangtze and Yellow River. In the east are the mountains and in the west are vast grasslands. Zoige is home to many natural wonders including the 1st bend of Yellow River, Marshland of Flower Lake plus the famous Langmu Monastery nearby. Ruo’ergai is 533 km south to Lanzhou and 600km north to Chengdu. It has the best and biggest grassland in Sichuan.
Flower Lake of Zoige
Zoige (Ruoergai) Grassland
Zoige (Ruoergai) Grassland is located in both Ruoergai and Hongyuan. It is the biggest grassland in Sichuan Province. It is consisted of grassland and marshland and it is one of the three main wetlands in China and home to many birds. Zoige is one of the few flat landscapes in Sichuan. Ruoergai Grassland is also the place where the red army walked during the Long March. Ruoergai Grassland is also called the oasis of northwestern Sichuan“.
Flower Lake
Flower Lake is a natural lake at Re’er Grassland. It is one of the must-sees in Ruo’ergai. Visitors spend time here watch the sunset, taking great photos, watching birds, etc. Flower Lake is located by the side of National Highway 213, which makes it very easy to get to. Re’er Grassland is the second biggest grassland in China and home to three separated lakes. Flower lake is one of the three lakes at Re’er Grassland. The elevation of the flower lake is at 3468 meters above sea level.
First Bend of Yellow River
The first bend of Yellow River is located in Tangke 60km west to the town of Ruo’ergai. The bend is believed to be the first bend of Yellow River and it is in the heart land of Ruo’ergai Grassland. The bending of the river presents an amazing picturesque view that attracts lots of photographers to come here to shoot for the sunset shots.
Bird Paradise
Marshes in Zoige and its surrounding areas have made perfect home to many birds especially the water birds and wading birds including geese, ducks, waders, seagull, grebes, mallards, pochards. The best seasons to watch birds is from June to August.
The nearby Hongyuan Grassland is part of the wider Zoige Grassland.
Recommended length of visiting: 1-2 days;
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Flower Lake
Flower Lake is a wetland park in Zoige (Ruo’ergai) Grassland. It is one of the few highland wetland parks in China and home to hundreds of different kinds of birds. The opening season of Flower Lake is seasonal: from late Spring to early Fall each year.
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1st Bend of Yellow River
As the watershed of Yellow River and Yangtze River, Zoige has another gem to explore. The 1st bend of Yellow River. It is one of the best places to shoot grassland photography in China: winding river flows from the sunset and makes a sharp turn towards north.
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Bird-Watching in Zoige
Zoige marshland and the marshland in/around Zoige are one of the most favored places in China by Bird-lovers. The marshland include Flower Lakes, Gahai Lake in Southern Gansu and many other marshland of the smaller tributary rivers of Yellow River in this region.
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Dieshan-Zhagana
Dieshan is a mountain range located north to Zoige in Gansu Province in Diebu County. Zhagana is a park of rocky mountains and deep gorges. It is about 80km drive from Flower Lake to Zhagana Park via the lower mountains of Zhasage. It is one of the options to combine a visit to Zhagana while visiting Zoige.
Useful Zoige (Ruo'ergai) Travel Tips
Gathered below is the most useful travel guide to Zoige. Important travel information of Zoige includes travel season, accommodation and food information about traveling to Tagong.
Zoige Travel Season
The best time to visit Ruo’ergai is summer and autumn. Summer being the golden season for its the season when flowers bloom and birds are plenty. The blooming season starts from late May and the best time for the flowers are June and July. September and October may may start to get cold and windy but it will also have more clear days.
Planning Ideas
One can include Jiuzhaigou on a visit to Zoige. Most international travelers would would choose to do this way while planning a trip in northwest Sichuan. Although if you are not traveling during summer time, you are recommended to skip Flower Lake and just to include 1st bend of Yellow river and the lower Hongyuan. Normally it takes around 5-6 days to include Jiuzhaigou, Huanglong, Zoige.
High Altitude of Zoige
The elevation of Zoige is at over 3000m. When traveling here please be aware of the high altitude. It has very short summer here and the high altitude make the weather even more unpredictable. Please acclimate yourself gradually while traveling to Zoige. You may start by Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong before going to Zoige and Hongyuan.
Accommodation and Food
Zoige(Ruo’ergai) itself is a county level town where there are hotels available. But it is not one of the busiest places except summer time. 1st Bend of Yellow has many hotels available and they stay open for longer seasons. The availability of hotels are changing according to the seasons. Please be aware of this and make plans ahead of time.
