Ruoergai

Ruoergai is in Zoigê County, Ngawa (prefecture) of China.

Understand

Ruoergai is a national park and a city (people in the area refer to the main town in Zoige county as Ruoergai). Most people who stay in Ruoergai stay in the national park north of Tangkexiang. After driving through that small town you will be stopped and asked to pay a park entrance fee of a few hundred rmb. A few kilometers down the road is a small village where many people stay in yurts. These places are often booked months in advance. However, the region is full of places to stay along the side of the road in yurts in beautiful places, but the location north of Tangkexiang is probably the most popular since it is where all of the signs direct you, "First Bend of the Yellow River". After the Jiuzhaigou earthquake in the late summer/early fall of 2017, the hotels in the area were empty, but this area is usually full of tourists and it can be difficult to get a hotel.

Landscape

The scenery in the area is the main attraction along with the culture.

Climate

It is a highland area and often is very cold even in September. Similar average temps to Songpan, but different climate.

Get in

The best way to get in is by car.

Do

There is a lookout point that is especially good for sunset or sunrise. Going on a horse ride is also very popular.

Eat

There is a special Tibetan soup in the area with Yak meat, square noodles, and potatoes with an orange color. It looks like this, and the Chinese name is Suan Can Mian Kuai in pinyin.

Sleep

Lodging

Most everyone stays in a yurt. Often they have heated blankets and maybe wifi, but some hotels are available.