Garzê

Ganzi (དཀར་མཛེས་ Garzê; 甘孜: Gānzī), is the capital of Ganzi county in Sichuan Province in south-west China.

Garzê Halal Travel Guide

It is an important city in what is still seen by the indigenous Tibetan population as the historical region of Kham. Ganzi is in a large valley with grassy hills at an elevation of 3,400 m (11,155 ft), tucked north-east of the gorgeous snow-peaked mountains of the Gongga Shan range. Tibetan culture is abundant and vibrant here, and the friendly people won't let you go by without offering you the Tibetan greeting 'Tashi Dele'! The town is set along the primary street passing from east to west towards Dege or Kangding (which is to the south). Visitors are unheard-of in the cold winter months, but if you come then, you would be the guest of the entire town!

How to visit and travel to Garzê

Buses from Kangding leave for Ganzi at 06:00 for around ¥220. The ride takes 12-14 hours, depending on the condition of your bus and or the number of times it breaks down. The road is relatively good: it's bumpy, but it's 95% sealed (spring 2022). Try not to book a seat in the back of the bus, especially on smaller buses, as you'll be thrown around violently by the bumps through much of the trip. Masks may be advisable if people are smoking on the bus; but this seems less common than has been reported.

Public bus

The bus station is in the center of town just south of the primary street. You can hire a private van/car too.

Private mini-bus

To	Departure	Price (yuan)	Duration (hr)	Last update
Dege	??:??	¥60	?	17 June 2022
Kangding	06:30	¥239	12	17 June 2022
Yushu/Jyekundo	06:00	¥217	9	20 January 2022
Luhuo	??:??	??.??	2	17 June 2022
Tagong	??:??	??.??	9	17 June 2022
Baiyu	06:00	¥73	8	25 January 2022

To	Approximate Price (Yuan)	Duration (Hours)	Comments	Last update
Manigango	¥70-40	2-3	O.K road	March 2022
Litang	¥210	8-10	Via Xinlong	March 2022
Xinlong	¥70	3		25 January 2022 How to get around in Garzê The main street is Chuanzang Road (川藏路). You can easily visit the town on foot. For longer distances, you can use taxis. The fare should not exceed ¥6 to any place in town. What to see in Garzê Garze Monastery. A short walk north along the river dividing the town or the street running parallel to the West leads you to the Tibetan quarter of the town, which lays at the foot of the monastery. Follow the narrow paths between the houses to reach the site. Look out for little chapels containing giant prayer wheels circambulated by devotees on the way. Though being the most important of its likes in the Ganzi region and being more than 540 years old, Garze Monastery is not as spectacular as other monasteries in Kham, since the greater parts of its temples had been rebuilt using Han-Chinese-style white-tile facades and plastic-pane windows. Still the views over the valley from its terraces and the maze of the approach through the old Tibetan quarter plus gaudy mix of Tibetan and Chinese architecture make it well worth a visit. (Information as of 20 June 2005) Den Gompa is much smaller but the structures are supposed to be more traditional. It's in the southern part of Ganzi. Dontok Gompa and Dingkhor Chörten make up for a nice half-hour walk across a suspended bridge over the Yalong Jiang. To reach there, head south from the bus station and follow the right path after crossing the bridge. The complex is under construction but has distinctive features to its buildings, including vertical white, grey and crimson stripes on the walls surrounding the houses. The friendly monks will show you around the place. There is a new Chörten built on a small hill on the eastern edge of town. The adjacent temple houses a Buddhist library. Although the building itself does not bear that ancient flair you might be looking for, its a nice place to catch views over the valley and the city. Top Muslim Travel Tips for Garzê There is a vegetable market in the center of the newer part of town, some bazaar style shopping (but prices are generally higher than for the same goods in chengdu) Locals will take a great interest in western travelers and monks near the monastery might invite you in for tea Muslim Friendly Shopping in Garzê Small shops downtown provide typical Tibetan clothing and jewelry and accessories bought by the herdsmen and nomads frequenting the town. Look out for stores selling antiques. On the road leading north from the bus station, you'll find several shops catering for monk's outfits and religious artifacts, as well as selling the beautiful curtains adorning windows and doors in that region and there are also stores selling decorative pots and kettles. There are even shops selling traditional Tibetan hand-carved furniture which is made locally. Supermarkets on main-street sell food and toiletries, you can also buy bottles of organic juice and decent Chinese to make up your own nightlife. Halal Restaurants Plenty of small Halal restaurants are to be found on the road next to the bus station. eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Garzê Garzê - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Garzê, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Garzê. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Garzê and its surrounding regions. With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Garzê. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values. The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Garzê. Key components include: Halal-Friendly Accommodations in Garzê: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Garzê. Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Garzê: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Garzê, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Garzê. Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Garzê, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations. Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Garzê, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values. Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Garzê and beyond. Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Garzê, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Garzê, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Garzê without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients." The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Garzê is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Garzê. About eHalal Travel Group: eHalal Travel Group Garzê is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values. For Halal business inquiries in Garzê, please contact: eHalal Travel Group Garzê Media: info@ehalal.io Buy Muslim Friendly condos, Houses and Villas in Garzê eHalal Group Garzê is a prominent real estate company specializing in providing Muslim-friendly properties in Garzê. Our mission is to cater to the specific needs and preferences of the Muslim community by offering a wide range of halal-certified residential and commercial properties, including houses, condos, and factories. With our commitment to excellence, client satisfaction, and adherence to Islamic principles, eHalal Group has established itself as a trusted name in the real estate industry in Garzê. At eHalal Group, we understand the importance of meeting the unique requirements of Muslim individuals and families seeking properties that align with their cultural and religious trainings. Our extensive portfolio of Muslim-friendly properties in Garzê ensures that clients have access to a diverse selection of options tailored to their needs. Whether it's a luxurious villa, a modern condominium, or a fully equipped factory, our team is dedicated to assisting clients in finding their ideal property. For those seeking a comfortable and modern living space, our condos are an excellent choice. Starting at US$ 350,000 and these condominium units offer contemporary designs, state-of-the-art facilities, and convenient locations within Garzê. Each condo is thoughtfully designed to incorporate halal-friendly features and amenities, ensuring a seamless integration of Islamic values into everyday living. If you are looking for a more spacious option, our houses are perfect for you. Starting at US$ 650,000, our houses provide ample living space, privacy, and a range of customizable features to meet your specific requirements. These houses are located in well-established neighborhoods in Garzê, offering a harmonious balance between modern living and Islamic values. For those seeking luxury and exclusivity, our luxury villas in Garzê are the epitome of sophistication and elegance. Starting at US$ 1.5 million and these villas offer a lavish lifestyle with private amenities, breathtaking views, and meticulous attention to detail. Each luxury villa is meticulously designed to provide a serene and halal environment, allowing you to enjoy the finest living experience while adhering to your Islamic principles. For further details please email us at info@ehalal.io Muslim Friendly Hotels Hong Fu Guest House - Called "guest house", but is really a home-stay. The family is really nice and friendly. There is a big room with 4 beds, clean bathroom and hot shower in the house. It's just next to another guest house, where you can find a bed without shower but with Wi-Fi for ¥20. (March 2022) Chengxin Binguan - Just across the street and south from the bus station at No. 27. With friendly and tidy doubles or triples. Room rates are negotiable but are listed as ranging from ¥70-150. Some rooms have en suite bathrooms, while the condition of the shared bathrooms varies. Using the shared showers is an extra ¥20. In winter and there is no running water in this hotel. Snowland Hotel - Just when you enter Garze from the east, you will cross two petrol stations (on your left and right). Turn right afterwards and 50 m up the street and you will see the hotel on the right. Doubles with bathroom (hot shower, squat) are ¥200, without bathroom ¥70. Internet via ethernet-cable. (March 2022) For those looking to avoid the high charges mentioned below, walk one street east of the bus station on Chuangzang Road to the junction on the south (right) side of the street. There are a bunch of local residents hanging out there (as of May 2022) who will approach you for an unofficial bed or room in the nearby buildings (usually by making the hands-pressed-together-to-head 'sleeping sign'). Beds offered at ¥70, or bare-bones rooms with attached bathroom (hot water) but no Wi-Fi for ¥60. Golden Yak Hotel is inside the bus station compound. A bed in a dorm, and doubles with bathroom, that has low water pressure, go for ¥250. More luxurious lodging offering en suite bathrooms and western style toilets is also available. The hotel also has a restaurant and tea room. Power and water is iffy in winter months. Bring a flashlight and sleeping bag. No heat. This seems to be a citywide policy as the few hotels licensed for Foreign Muslims in the town all rent at the same rate. Client service at the Golden Yak was dour and unfriendly and the showers did not work, even in summer. Himalaya Hotel - This hotel was built in 2005 with single and double rooms, a nice tea room, medicinal herbal baths and a sauna. The hotel manager is German-speaking. Stay Safe Beware of altitude sickness if traveling here straight from the Sichuan lowlands. As in most of West Sichuan and other Tibetan regions stray dogs are common and totally unpredictable. Throwing rocks is your best option, if you have to time to react. Wearing study boots and thick pants and socks are another way to protect yourself from injures. The area gets a lot of sunshine due to its high location in a long broad valley and temperatures change a lot during the day. Sunglasses and sunblock are a must. Telecommunications in Garzê Internet Cafe's in Garzê There is an Internet place with decent connection speed (though no printer). It may rank as the biggest smoke den in all of China. Walk to the road bridge crossing the river in the middle of town and follow the stream north (away from the big river towards the monastery). After 300 m, you will pass a pedestrian bridge on your right hand side. Shortly after that and there is a small concrete 'picnic' sitting area on the right. The entrance to the second floor Internet cafe is up the private looking staircase just opposite that place. There are no signs advertising the service, so if in doubt just ask the neighborhood. It appears there may be restrictions on using the internet, though I'm not sure. Cope in Garzê Visa extension Although some online discussions suggest otherwise, as of 27 March 2022, it is not feasible to extend a Chinese visa in Ganzi. Reportedly and the nearest locations for visas are Kangding and Xinning. Money Matters & ATM's in Garzê The Agricultural Bank of China has an ATM that accepts foreign bank and credit cards. Laundry There are small laundry shops located at numbers 223, 239 and 239 on the main strip, Changzang Road, that will wash clothes. They are easily identified by the clothes hanging from the ceiling. It generally costs ¥2-5 per article/pair of clothing and you can pick up your clothes the next day. If you're in a hurry the clothes can be dropped off in the afternoon and picked up in the evening, but they will still be moist. News & References Garzê Travel Next Copyright 2015 - 2024. All Rights reserved by eHalal Group Co., Ltd. To Advertise or sponsor this Travel Guide, please visit our Media Kit and Advertising Rates.