A Fairyland on Earth—Zagana

Information about Zagana Scenic Area: 1⃣Address: Yiwa Town, Diebu County, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province, approximately 30 km from the county town. 2⃣Ticket: The standard ticket price is usually 80 RMB per person, which may include accident insurance. Discounts are available for special groups: seniors aged 60 (inclusive) to 65 (exclusive) get half-price, those aged 65 and above enter for free, children under 1.2 meters (inclusive) or under 6 years old (inclusive) enter for free, and minors aged 7 (inclusive) to 18 (inclusive) as well as full-time students (excluding adult education and postgraduate students) with valid IDs get half-price. The round-trip sightseeing bus fare is typically 40 RMB. 3⃣Opening Hours: Open all day, year-round, with core attractions open from 08:00 to 18:00. 4⃣Transportation Guide: - External Transport: First, reach Lanzhou or Chengdu. From Lanzhou, take a high-speed train to Minxian or Hezuo, then hire a car for about 2.5 hours. Alternatively, take a bus from Lanzhou South Bus Station to Diebu County, then share a ride to the scenic area. Self-driving via Lanhai Expressway and Wuma Expressway takes about 7.5 hours. From Chengdu, self-driving takes about 10 hours. Direct buses from Lanzhou and Chengdu are also available, or you can opt for a chartered car for more flexibility. - Internal Transport: Sightseeing buses operate within the scenic area, taking about 40 minutes one-way to core areas like Fairy Beach. Hiking or horseback riding are also options, e.g., the Fairy Beach to Fairy Lake hike takes about 2.5 hours round-trip, with horseback riding costing around 100-200 RMB per person. 🔸🔸🔹🔹🔸🔸🔹🔹🔸🔸🔹🔹🔸🔸 Must-See Attractions in Zagana Scenic Area: 1⃣Natural Landscapes - Dari Viewing Platform: The best spot to overlook the entire Zagana. Around 6 AM, Tibetan villages and terraced fields emerge from the mist, with smoke rising from chimneys, creating a fairy-tale scene. The first rays of sunlight illuminate the stone peaks and villages, forming a "Golden Mountain" spectacle. Each season offers unique views: wildflowers in summer, colorful forests in autumn, and snow-covered landscapes in winter—all perfect for photography. - Fairy Beach: A 1-hour walk along a wooden boardwalk from the parking lot leads to this vast alpine meadow. In summer, wildflowers like purple irises and yellow buttercups bloom, creating a floral sea against the backdrop of Stone Gate Mountain and snow-capped peaks. Ideal for picnics, relaxation, or light hiking, it’s also a prime spot for sunset views. - One-Line Sky & Stone Forest: A deep, narrow gorge with steep cliffs where only a sliver of sky is visible. A stream flows through the gorge, leading to the Stone Forest area, where bizarre rock formations resemble swords, fairies, or galloping horses, showcasing nature’s artistry. - Runwu Valley: A lesser-known hiking trail with fewer tourists. It features streams, towering rocks, lush vegetation, and natural wonders like cloud waterfalls along the wooden boardwalk. 2⃣Cultural Landscapes - Zagana Village Cluster: Includes Dongwa Village, Yeri Village, etc., built into the mountainside with layered Tibetan stilt houses resembling a natural stone castle. Wander the stone-paved paths, admire ancient Tibetan architecture, and visit locals to experience traditional activities like butter-making and tsampa preparation. - Lhasang Monastery: A Tibetan Buddhist monastery perched at the highest point of Zagana, its red walls and golden roof standing out against the green mountains. The platform in front offers a 360° view of the gorge. Visitors can join morning prayers, spin prayer wheels, and immerse in Tibetan Buddhist culture. - Rock Viewing Platform: Named after explorer Joseph Rock, it’s the starting point of the "Rock Road" and offers panoramic views of the Stone Forest, gorge, and forests, evoking the awe of Rock’s expeditions. 🔸🔸🔹🔹🔸🔸🔹🔹🔸🔸🔹🔹🔸🔸 Recommended Accommodations in Zagana: 1⃣Luxury - Zagana Cloudland Glamping Tents: Located in Daiba Village, it offers panoramic views. Room options include garden tents, cloud-view tents, stargazing domes, and elegant suites, all with private balconies. - Cloud Horizon Tibetan Homestay: A village-run hotel with strict hygiene standards, spacious rooms, and modern amenities like separate showers. 2⃣Comfort - Zagana Mountain View Sunrise Homestay: Situated in Yeri Village, within walking distance to attractions. Rooms feature natural materials, underfloor heating, and smart bathrooms, with Tibetan breakfasts and travel planning services. - Thumb View Inn: A high-value option with excellent service, clean rooms, and stunning views. 3⃣Budget - Dieza Happy Tibetan Homestay: Opened in 2021, it offers clean rooms with heated blankets, a restaurant, and free shuttle service within 5 km. The owner organizes bonfire parties. - Mist Inn: Affordable with basic amenities, set in a tranquil environment to experience Zagana’s beauty. 🔸🔸🔹🔹🔸🔸🔹🔹🔸🔸🔹🔹🔸🔸 Local Cuisine in Zagana: 1⃣Staples - Tsampa: Roasted barley flour mixed with butter, cheese, and sugar, shaped into balls. Crunchy and nutritious, ideal for high-energy activities. - Barley Pancakes: Golden and crispy, with a soft interior and distinct barley flavor, often paired with butter tea. 2⃣Dishes - Tibetan Hot Pot: A copper pot simmering with yak meat, Tibetan pork, wild mushrooms, and vegetables, offering rich flavors and local ingredients. - Hand-Torn Lamb: Boiled local lamb served with salt, garlic, or chili, tender and juicy. - Wild Herb Dumplings: Seasonal delicacies stuffed with yak meat and wild herbs like ferns, steamed to perfection. 3⃣Snacks - Tibetan Dumplings: Thin-skinned with yak meat or herb fillings, served with chili or garlic dips. - Ando Noodle Soup: Noodles in yak bone broth with pickles and herbs, spicy and sour. 4⃣Desserts & Drinks - Fern Barley Rice: A sweet dish with barley, butter, and fern rhizomes, best in autumn. - Barley Wine: A mildly alcoholic, sweet traditional drink for hospitality. - Butter Tea: A hearty blend of tea, butter, and salt, essential for warmth and energy in Tibetan life.