Things To Do
in Maqu
Maqu (玛曲) is a high‑altitude county on the eastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau in Gannan Prefecture, Gansu Province, known for wide alpine grasslands, nomadic Tibetan culture and yak herding. The landscape is dominated by rolling meadows, rivers and high passes with dramatic light and big skies that change quickly with the weather. Maqu is remote and sparsely populated, offering authentic encounters with Tibetan villages, monasteries and seasonal festivals.
Visitors should expect basic infrastructure, strong cultural identity, and dramatic altitude‑dependent scenery year‑round.
Day Trips
Spend a day exploring around
Arrive in Maqu, where the breathtaking landscapes of the Tibetan Plateau welcome you. Get settled in your hotel and enjoy a traditional Tibetan breakfast. Spend some time acclimatizing to the altitude and absorbing the serene surroundings.
Explore the vibrant local market, where you can find handicrafts, textiles, and authentic Tibetan snacks. Engage in friendly conversations with the locals to learn about their customs and way of life. Don’t forget to capture the stunning views of the mountains that frame the town.
Enjoy a delightful dinner at a local restaurant, sampling some unique Tibetan dishes like momos and thukpa. Stroll through the town under the starry sky, soaking in the tranquility of the night. Finally, return to your hotel and prepare for the adventures ahead.
Start your day with a hearty breakfast before heading to the nearby Ganden Sumtseling Monastery, known for its stunning architecture and spiritual significance. Participate in a guided meditation session and experience the peaceful atmosphere. Take your time to admire the intricate murals and statues inside the monastery.
After a nourishing lunch at a nearby café, visit the nearby small monasteries scattered in the valley around Maqu. Engage with the resident monks and learn about their daily routines and spiritual practices. Wander through the beautiful landscapes dotted with golden grass and vibrant prayer flags.
Dine at a local eatery, enjoying the distinctly Tibetan flavors of your meal. Share stories with fellow travelers over dinner and reflect on the peacefulness of the day. Return to your hotel and relax, listening to the sounds of nature.
Prices
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| 🍜Meal at inexpensive restaurant | $3-7 |
| 🏨Budget guesthouse dorm/private room | $15-40 |
| ☕Yak butter tea / snack | $0.50-2 |
| 🚌Local bus or shared van (short/medium distance) | $0.50-10 |
| 🚕Private driver or long shared taxi (per person, longer routes) | $10-40 |
Strengths and Weaknesses
- Dramatic high‑altitude grassland scenery and big skies ideal for photography
- Authentic Tibetan culture, nomadic life and seasonal festivals
- Relatively uncrowded, off‑the‑beaten‑path destination with peaceful landscapes
- Very high altitude with risk of altitude sickness and limited medical facilities
- Basic infrastructure: limited hotels, restaurants and language support
- Long travel times from major airports and possible seasonal road closures
- "你好 (nǐ hǎo)" - Hello
- "谢谢 (xiè xie)" - Thank you
- "请问厕所在哪儿？(qǐng wèn cè suǒ zài nǎr?)" - Excuse me, where is the toilet?
- "我吃素 (wǒ chī sù)" - I am vegetarian
- "Tashi Delek (བཀྲ་ཤིས་བདེ་ལེགས)" - A Tibetan greeting — good luck / hello
Places to Visit in Maqu
Visit one of these nice places.
Open meadows with grazing yaks and horses, wide skies and rolling light — ideal for sunrise, sunset and portraiture of nomadic life.
Meandering river channels and reflective pools provide dramatic compositions and birdlife in early morning light.
Authentic candid photography of tent life, dairy processing and seasonal migrations — always ask permission first.
Religious sites with colorful prayer flags and ritual objects; capture detail shots and wider context of spiritual life.
Lookouts above the grasslands with sweeping panoramas of plateaus, clouds and distant peaks — best on clear days.
Food in Maqu
Maqu Famous Food
Signature dishes, delicacies and famous food
Roasted barley flour typically mixed with butter tea or yak milk; a filling staple that you’ll find in homes and basic eateries.
Must-Try!
Slow‑cooked meat served with noodles or tsampa; available at guesthouses and local restaurants.
Salty, buttery tea made with yak butter and salt; ubiquitous — try it at a nomad tent or teahouse.
Locally made dairy products sold at markets and directly from nomads; good for snacks and gifts.
Food Markets
Explore local food markets
Periodic markets where nomads trade dairy, wool, meat and handcrafted items; great for sampling yak yogurt, dried meats and buying local cheese.
Weather
How to Behave
Tips on cultural norms and respectful behavior
Always walk clockwise around mani walls and stupas, avoid stepping on prayer flags, and ask before photographing inside temples or people in prayer.
Many nomads appreciate being asked first — a smile, a small gift or a token payment for a posed portrait is polite and often expected.
Dress conservatively when visiting monasteries or homes and follow hosts’ requests to remove shoes or enter certain areas.
Be aware that discussions about Tibetan politics can be sensitive; maintain a respectful, low‑key approach and avoid confrontation.
Safety
Tipping in Maqu
Ensure a smooth experience
Tipping is not widely expected in Maqu; small tips for guides, drivers or helpful guesthouse staff are appreciated but not mandatory. In homestays or with community guides a modest cash gift is a kind gesture.
Mobile payments (WeChat Pay and Alipay) dominate in China but are often unavailable in remote Maqu. Bring enough cash (RMB) for food, accommodation and rural purchases; ATMs may be scarce outside the county seat. Credit cards are rarely accepted in very small businesses.
Best Time to Visit
And what to expect in different seasons...
Cold and windy with variable weather; snow can linger at higher elevations. Grasslands slowly green and nomads begin spring movements. Pack windproof and warm layers and expect strong sun when it’s clear.
Short, mild summers (June–August) are the busiest and most comfortable time to visit: wildflowers, festivals, horse and yak racing events, and the best grassland scenery. Nights remain cool — bring warm sleep layers.
Clear skies, crisp air and excellent visibility; colors are more muted but photography is superb. Temperatures drop quickly after sunset and some services start to reduce.
Long, very cold winters with heavy snow at times; many roads and services close or become unreliable. Visiting in winter requires strong cold‑weather gear and flexible travel plans.
Maqu at Night
Hiking in Maqu
Immerse in an unforgettable hike.
Easy to moderate hikes across plateau ridgelines and down to river meanders — good for wildlife viewing, photography and short day trips.
Trails along the upper river provide wetlands, reflective pools and boggy meadows — take waterproof boots and stick to established paths.
Short pilgrim routes up to smaller monasteries and mani walls; cultural interest combined with manageable walking distances — suitable for acclimatized visitors.
Airports
How to reach Maqu by plane.
The nearest regional airport serving Gannan Prefecture; from here travelers typically transfer by road to Maqu, a journey of several hours. Flight availability can be seasonal.
A larger airport relatively accessible from Maqu by long road transfer; offers more regular flights to major Chinese cities and is a common gateway for plateau travel.
Major regional hub with frequent domestic and some international connections; expect a long overland journey (several hundred kilometers) to reach Maqu.
Walkability
Demographics
Explore demographics in this area.
The majority population in Maqu — engage in pastoralism, maintain Tibetan language, religion and cultural practices.
Present in smaller numbers, often involved in trade, administration and services within the county seat.
Smaller minority communities involved in commerce and local life, contributing to cultural diversity.
Popular Sports
Explore popular sports in region.
Traditional horse racing and riding skills are central to festival culture and remain popular in summer events across the grasslands.
Traditional competitive sports showcased during local festivals — wrestling matches and archery displays are local favorites.
Practical pasture sports related to herding — training, competitions and demonstrations occur seasonally.
Traffic
Accomodations
Find the best place to stay when visiting Maqu.
Dietary Restrictions
Tips for restricted diets.
Vegetarians can manage but choices are limited: ask for dairy‑based meals (yak cheese, yogurt), vegetable noodle soups when available, and tsampa. Tell hosts in Mandarin (我吃素 wǒ chī sù) — many kitchens are meat‑heavy, so options can be sparse outside larger towns.
Challenging because butter tea and dairy are central; explain needs in advance and bring snacks. In remote areas vegan options may be effectively unavailable.
Tsampa is barley (contains gluten) and many noodle dishes use wheat — limited gluten‑free options. Carry snacks if you require strict avoidance.