NW China · Gansu-Sichuan border · Langmusi Town, spanning Luqu (Gansu) and Ruo'ergai (Sichuan)

Langmusi郎木寺

One river splits one small town between two provinces — a monastery on each bank, and the water never asks which side it belongs to.

One town, two provincesTibetan BuddhismMulti-ethnic townPlateau townDeep culture

Langmusi

Gansu-Sichuan border · Gannan plateau

Most travelers connect via Lanzhou, then bus/car to Gannan

Best Time to Visit

Recommended in summer, the mildest window at this "Little Switzerland of the East" town that straddles two provinces. Though the ~3,300–3,500m elevation brings strong UV and big day-night temperature swings, the climate here is at its most comfortable.

1-2 days

Monasteries on both sides + a town wander

United Kingdom

30-day visa-free

All nationalities →

NIA · 2026-07

Why it's special

Why It's Special

A stream a few metres wide is the provincial line; two monasteries face each other across it, and three ways of life share one street.

Langmusi is a plateau town at roughly 3,480m, with the White Dragon River running through its centre — north bank Gansu's Luqu County, south bank Sichuan's Ruo'ergai. The Gansu side holds the Gelug-school Saichi (Taktsang Lhamo Sertri) Monastery; the Sichuan side, the also-Gelug Gerdi Monastery, with Namo Gorge opening behind it. Tibetan prayer wheels, a Hui mosque and backpacker cafés share one street. The "Little Switzerland of the East" nickname came from the scenery — what actually sets the town apart is this everyday coexistence.

One town, two provinces

A geographic quirk drawn by the White Dragon River

Through town the river is metres wide — yet it's the Gansu-Sichuan line
Saichi Monastery north (Gansu), Gerdi Monastery south (Sichuan), both Gelug school
Cross a footbridge, change provinces — several times a day, as everyone does
Tibetan, Hui and Han residents share the town, monastery and mosque alike