GANNAN, GANSU, June 10 （WSH) — On June 9, journalists and online influencers from 29 countries and regions, including the United States, Canada, Switzerland, and South Korea, arrived in Xiahe County, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province, to experience the region’s vibrant grassland culture. Their visit marks the start of the “Sacred Gannan · Journey of the Soul” 2025 Global Media Tour. With cameras and notebooks in hand, these media professionals are capturing the unique charm of the Tibetan plateau and sharing cross-cultural resonances with global audiences.
Foreign journalists pose with local Tibetan dancers on June 9. / Photo by Jiumei Danzen
“I used to imagine northern China as a dusty wasteland, but Lanzhou surprised me with its greenery and modern infrastructure,” said Hong Xiaoya, Director of the New Media Editorial Department at Macao Business Daily. Her impressions echoed those of many media personnel from southern China. During her first trip to the northwest, from Lanzhou to Xiahe, she was struck by the lush windbreak forests lining the highways, smart navigation systems at rest stops, and neat homestay clusters in rural towns, complete with standardized tourism signage.
Hong noted that Macao readers have long associated northwest China solely with the Silk Road. Her reporting will focus on Gannan’s efforts to balance ecological preservation with economic development.
After watching traditional song and dance performances on the Sangke Grassland, Lee Woo-jung, a reporter from Segye Ilbo (South Korea), remarked, “Koreans often travel to Shanghai or Qingdao for weekend trips, but Gannan offers something far more distinct with its ethnic traditions and natural scenery.” With direct charter flights now connecting Lanzhou and Seoul, Lee believes Gannan has strong potential as a long-distance destination for South Korean travelers. In his upcoming coverage, he plans to highlight the Danxia landforms of Ganjia and the nomadic experiences on the Sangke Grassland—landscapes and lifestyles completely different from those in Korea, and key attractions for international tourists.
During the evening cultural and tourism promotion event, Xiahe County Deputy Governor Sangjijia shared updates on the region’s goal to become an international eco-tourism destination. Key projects include a 230-million-yuan grass-skiing facility at Sangke Grassland nearing completion, the accelerated development of the Ganjia Scenic Area into a national 5A-level tourist attraction, and the creation of an immersive intangible heritage street near Labrang Monastery. These developments heightened media anticipation for the days ahead.
Sangjijia also announced solutions to overcome the region’s “long travel, short stay” challenge. The 120-million-yuan expansion of Xiahe Airport will soon be completed, enabling direct flights to Chengdu and Xi’an. Additionally, a new self-drive route—the “Jiang–Die Highway”—will link popular destinations like Zhagana and Langmusi, forming a complete 5–7-day tourism loop.
Xiahe County Mayor Wang Honglin noted that Xiahe was named a “Breathable Small Town of Beautiful China” in 2022, a “Special Tourism and Leisure Destination” in 2023, and one of China’s “Top 100 Towns Worth Visiting” in 2025. “We hope the global media will showcase not only Gannan’s breathtaking landscapes but also its vibrant cultural heritage,” Wang said.
