A Fairyland on Earth — Zhagana

Introduction to Zhagana Zhagana is located in Yiwa Town, Diebu County, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province. The Tibetan name means "stone box." It is a "stone city" built by natural rock walls, with an average altitude of about 3,000 meters and the highest peak reaching 4,500 meters. Surrounded by towering peaks, shrouded in mist, with glacial landforms intertwined with Tibetan villages and pastoral scenes, it has been praised by "Chinese National Geography" as the "birthplace of Adam and Eve." In 2023, it was selected as one of the UN World Tourism Organization's "Best Tourism Villages." The scenic area combines forests, ancient glacial relics, and alpine meadows, home to rare plants and animals such as fir trees, snow leopards, and golden eagles. It preserves traditional Tibetan villages and cultural relics like Dongwa Village and Lasang Monastery, making it a secret realm rich in natural wonders and cultural heritage. Three-Day In-Depth Travel Itinerary in Zhagana Day 1: Encounter the Stone City Morning Mist and Tibetan Village Life Sunrise at Dari Viewing Platform: Arrive before 5:30 AM at the highest altitude Dari Viewing Platform to capture panoramic views of the sea of clouds flowing over stone peaks and Tibetan villages awakening in the morning light. Bringing a tripod is recommended to capture the changing light and shadows. Dongwa Village Tibetan Village Experience: Visit the largest Tibetan village, Dongwa Village. Explore the century-old pedal house (a traditional building with living quarters on the first floor and storage on the second), and try making tsampa or wearing Tibetan clothing. Fairy Beach Sunset: Hike 15 minutes to the Fairy Beach alpine meadow to overlook the village’s terraced fields and stone peaks. You can ride a horse (30 RMB per ride) or lay out a picnic mat. The sunset light and shadows are stunning. Accommodation: Recommended is Yunwu Inn in Yeri Village (200-300 RMB/night), with a balcony facing the Luoke Viewing Platform and perfect for stargazing at night. Day 2: Hiking the Secret Realm and Forest Adventure Runwu Valley Easy Hike: Follow the stream through the primeval forest to explore the One-Line Sky cave and waterfall (2 hours round trip). Wear anti-slip hiking shoes; the boardwalk can be slippery after rain, so be cautious. Lasang Monastery Blessing: Visit the Gelugpa monastery built during the Qing Shunzhi period. Walk clockwise around the prayer wheels, listen to chanting, and admire the red walls and golden roofs against the stone peaks (photography inside the hall is prohibited). Stone Forest Hiking Challenge: Start from Dongwa Village, pass Tiger’s Mouth to the Stone Forest (5 hours round trip), crossing canyons and fir forests. Hiring a guide (200 RMB/day) is recommended for safety. Food: For dinner, try the stone-cooked lamb at Zhagana Kitchen in Dongwa Village (168 RMB per serving), cooked live on heated stones and paired with butter tea to balance the richness. Day 3: Panoramic Finale and Cultural Exploration Luoke Viewing Platform Panorama: Hike 3 kilometers from Yeri Village to Luoke Viewing Platform to overlook the panorama of four villages and barley terraces. In the afternoon, capture photos of the red rocks and golden vegetation in favorable light. Daiba Village "Cloud Above" Experience: Visit Daiba Village, the highest altitude village. Walk along stone slab paths through staggered plank houses and listen to local villagers tell stories about the "clouds like being above the clouds after rain." Return: Self-driving tourists can take the "Luoke Road" (Zhagana to Zhuoni section) to experience 100 kilometers of snowy mountain canyon scenery. Public transport travelers can take the Diebu County shuttle bus (40 minutes) to transfer to Lanzhou or Chengdu. Practical Tips Tickets: 80 RMB per person (half price for students and ages 60-69, free for 70 and above). During peak season (June to October), booking through the "Smart Travel Gannan" mini-program 3 days in advance is required. Daily visitor limit is 3,000 people. Transportation: Self-driving is recommended via Lanzhou route (9 hours) or Chengdu route (8 hours). Parking at the scenic area costs 10 RMB/day. Public transport options include the Longnan Station "Yanyun" direct bus (3 hours) to the destination. Gear: In summer, bring sun protection clothing and a wide-angle lens (for shooting the Milky Way). In winter, bring crampons for ice traction. Avoid strenuous exercise at high altitude and consider carrying an oxygen bottle. Taboos: Photography is prohibited inside monasteries. Prayer wheels must be turned clockwise. Respect Tibetan customs.