Reverse travel for National Day! Gannan Zhagana secret paradise guide to avoid the crowds and enter a fairyland

Shh~ This hidden gem is basically uncrowded during National Day! Grasslands, snow mountains, stone forests, and Tibetan villages all in one trip, every photo looks like a Windows desktop wallpaper! (Includes a super detailed pitfall avoidance guide) 👇

📍【Location & Transportation】
▪️Place: Zhagana, Diebu County, Gannan, Gansu (navigate to "Zhagana Scenic Area")
▪️Reason for being off the beaten path: Altitude over 3000m, slightly high but most people don’t get altitude sickness; relatively inconvenient transportation discourages many visitors, preserving its pristine beauty!
▪️Recommended route (personally tested for fewer crowds and beautiful scenery):
✅Day 1: Lanzhou → rent a car and drive (5h) → stay in Diebu County
✅Day 2: Diebu County → Zhagana (30min winding mountain road) → visit Dongwa Village + Dari Viewing Platform → stay in a Tibetan-style guesthouse inside the scenic area
✅Day 3: Hike Runwu Valley → explore the stone forest → shoot sunset on the golden mountain in the evening
✅Day 4: Zhagana → Ruoergai Flower Lake (2h) → return to Lanzhou

🏔️【Must-visit spots】(in order of photo opportunities)
1️⃣ Dari Viewing Platform
🌅 Recommended to go before 7 AM! Morning mist wraps the mountains, smoke rises from Tibetan villages, golden light shines on the stone peaks like a miracle! Bring a telephoto lens for your camera; phone users can use 0.7x wide angle for stunning panoramas~

2️⃣ Fairy Beach Grassland
🏞️ Light is softest after 4 PM! Huge lawn + towering stone mountains behind, horseback riding and photos cost 50 RMB/person (remember to bargain), wearing white or red dresses makes photos pop!

3️⃣ Runwu Valley Waterfall
💦 A lesser-known hiking trail! 2 hours round trip alongside streams and forest, the waterfall at the end is refreshingly cool, recommended to wear non-slip shoes and use slow shutter speed for silky water effects!

4️⃣ Yeri Village Boardwalk
🚶‍♀️ Best for an evening stroll! Walk between barley fields and Tibetan wooden houses, shoot backlit silhouette portraits + layered mountain views, a hotspot for social media photos!

🏠【Accommodation Guide】
🔥 Strongly recommend staying inside the scenic area! Snow mountains visible from your window, stargaze at night and watch the mist in the morning:
▪️High-end: Yun Jing Wild Lodge (floor-to-ceiling glass rooms + floor heating, around 500+ RMB per person during National Day)
▪️Cost-effective: Shilin Guesthouse (Tibetan style, around 200+ RMB per person, book at least half a month in advance!)

🍜【Food Tips】
▪️Tibetan hot pot: yak meat + wild mushrooms stewed, fresh broth and tender meat perfect for cold weather!
▪️Butter tea: slightly salty but helps with altitude sickness, pairs excellently with barley cakes
▪️Avoid: Food inside the scenic area is expensive, better to bring snacks and self-heating meals

⚠️【Exclusive Tips】
✅National Day weather: 5-15℃ with big temperature differences between day and night! Thin down jacket + windbreaker are must-haves
✅Tickets: 80 RMB/person (valid for multiple entries within three days)
✅Altitude sickness prevention: drink Rhodiola in advance, move slowly and avoid strenuous running or jumping
✅For photographers: bring a tripod for star photography, drones are restricted in the morning (must register)

💬Summary: Zhagana is perfect for those seeking natural, pristine scenery and who can handle light hiking. During National Day, the autumn colors are at their peak—yellow leaves + snow mountains + Tibetan villages create a truly stunning combination! Compared to crowded popular spots, this is the real healing journey~