Zhagana, the Secret Realm of Gannan, is a paradise on earth

It has been rated by an authoritative American travel magazine as "One of the 50 outdoor paradises of the world" and by China National Geography as: "The fourth most remarkable mountain in China that is not well-known." Explorer Joseph Rock called it "God's own garden." That place is Zhagana of the Die Mountain Range in Gannan. Zhagana, pronounced "zhā gǎ", is a Tibetan term meaning 'stone box'. Situated at the intersection of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the Loess Plateau, and the Sichuan Basin, the area is surrounded by mountains, resembling a natural stone city. Here you can find rugged peaks, deep and narrow canyons, pristine forests, and of course, remnants of Quaternary glacial landforms, making this land peaceful and beautiful. In Tibetan areas, people believe that every mountain is the dwelling of deities, and every stone possesses the spirit of life. It must have been the stunning beauty of Zhagana that intoxicated Nieganda Dawei during the mountain collapses and rock falls when he opened up Diebu, leaving behind a stone city in the vast mountains 28 kilometers away from the county town as his abode, where he placed his soul. As early as 1922, Joseph Rock, an American-born Austrian botanist and anthropologist, left his exploratory footprints in Zhagana. He later published photos and articles in the American 'National Geographic' magazine, providing rare material for James Hilton's creation of 'Lost Horizon'. 'I have never seen such a beautiful scene in my life. If the author of Genesis had seen the beauty of Diebu, he would have placed the birthplace of Adam and Eve here. Diebu shocked me; its vast forests are like a botanical museum, absolutely virgin land. It will become a paradise for nature lovers and all sightseers.' — Joseph Rock If there is any time that can light up all the beauty of Zhagana at once, it is only at sunrise. Every morning, as the dawn light strengthens, the clouds around the snow-capped mountains turn into a translucent, dreamy gold, the hazy valleys slowly unveil their veils, revealing vibrant colors and the tenderness of new life. Such a sight, if seen once in a lifetime, would make the journey worthwhile. In the afternoon, the setting sun shines down from the mountains, casting a golden glow over the mountains and primitive villages. In the distance, it is unclear whether it is clouds or mist that shroud the mountains, and one can't help but think of a line from a Tang poem: 'Layers of peach and plum blossoms on the mountain, smoke from households amidst the clouds.' The best viewing spot: The viewing platform at the commanding height of Bada Village is the best place in Zhagana to watch the sunrise, not only overlooking the entire valley but also seeing the most beautiful angle of the sunrise. Xian Nv Tan near Dari Village is a wide meadow under the peaks of Zhagana. Come spring and summer, the flowers bloom like a tapestry, surrounded by green trees, stunning at first glance. This place echoes the Dari viewing platform, offering a panoramic view of the entire Zhagana peaks and the four villages. It is the best spot in Zhagana to watch the sunset. Xian Nv Lake is a lake in Zhagana, not very large, only a few dozen square meters, with clear and calm waters. From the entrance of the scenic area to Xian Nv Lake, it is about 3 kilometers, with two sections of plank roads. You can ride a horse along the path next to the first section of the plank road to Xian Nv Tan, but the plank road from Xian Nv Tan to Xian Nv Lake can only be walked. The canyons here are also excellent hiking routes, with streams, waterfalls, stone forests, and Buddhist temples along the way, all offering surprises.