Gannan, Gansu Province

Zhagana Scenic Area

扎尕那大景区Photography · Nature

"Zhagana" means "stone casket." It is a complete natural "stone city." The explorer Joseph Rock compared it to a beautiful Garden of Eden,…

Zhagana Scenic Area, Gannan

Key facts

Admission
¥85
Time needed
1 day
Getting there
Take a chartered car from Diebu County town to Zhagana. The distance is 30 km and the journey takes about half an hour.
Guidebook rating
4 / 5

From China Self Guided Travel 2025, page 768. Open in Google Maps

About Zhagana Scenic Area

"Zhagana" means "stone casket." It is a complete natural "stone city." The explorer Joseph Rock compared it to a beautiful Garden of Eden, saying: "I have never seen scenery so magnificent in my life. This is truly virgin land, a sacred place for nature lovers and all sightseers." Its steep mountains and beautiful landscapes have earned it a place among the top ten "unknown peaks." Beneath the grand stone fortress lie villages with curling cooking smoke and simple, unpretentious folk customs, which many people imagine as a true peach-blossom paradise.

Frequently asked questions

How much does Zhagana Scenic Area cost?

Admission to Zhagana Scenic Area is ¥85, as listed in the 2025 guidebook. Prices can change; check the official channel before you go.

How do I get to Zhagana Scenic Area?

Take a chartered car from Diebu County town to Zhagana. The distance is 30 km and the journey takes about half an hour.

How long should I spend at Zhagana Scenic Area?

Plan on 1 day for Zhagana Scenic Area.

Where is Zhagana Scenic Area?

Zhagana Scenic Area is in Gannan, Gansu Province, in the Northwest of China. Yiwa Township, Diebu County, Gannan Prefecture

More places in Gannan

Langmu Monastery — illustration

Langmu Monastery

Langmu Monastery lies where the borders of Gansu, Qinghai and Sichuan meet. It is said to be the place where Padmasambhava subdued demons. It is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery and houses the stupa containing the physical remains of its first living Buddha.

¥30 · 1–3 hours

Labrang Monastery — illustration

Labrang Monastery

Founded in 1709, Labrang Monastery has six assembly halls, 84 Buddhist shrines, 31 towers, 30 Buddhist palace courtyards and more than 10,000 monks' residences. It is also home to the world's longest row of prayer wheels, which encircles the monastery grounds. Labrang has six colleges: the Exoteric Studies College (Wensi), the Lower College of Esoteric Teachings, the Upper College of Esoteric Teachings, the Hevajra College, the Kalachakra College and the Medical College. It is the largest Tibetan Buddhist institute of learning in the world. Incense is always burning at Labrang. It is especially lively during the great prayer festivals from the 4th to the 17th day of the first lunar month and from the 29th day of the sixth lunar month to the 15th day of the seventh lunar month, as well as during the Buddha-airing and scripture-debate events on the 13th day of the first lunar month and the 8th day of the seventh lunar month. Crowds of believers and monks gather from all directions to take part in or watch the prayer rituals, sacred dances, Tibetan opera, *Nanmote* performances and butter sculptures.

¥40 · 3–4 hours

Sangke Grassland

Sangke Grassland, 10 km south of the Labrang Monastery area, is described in international travel guides as "a place rivalling the Native American grasslands in the film *Dances with Wolves*." It is also regarded as an auspicious land.

Free · 3–4 hours

Gahai Lake

Gahai, called "Cuoning" in Tibetan, meaning "where yaks wander," is the largest freshwater lake in the Gannan region. Every summer it becomes a sea of flowers and a kingdom of birds. Colourful wildflowers bloom along the lakeshore, and nearly a hundred rare bird species, including black-necked cranes, white swans, bar-headed geese and brown-headed gulls, gather in flocks. Birds fly and fish leap across the water while cattle and sheep graze leisurely. It is an ideal summer retreat.

¥50 · 1–2 hours

Yeliguan National Forest Park

Yeliguan is praised as "Yeliguan of mountains and waters, a great ecological garden" for its beautiful mountains and waters and its picturesque scenery. Its pleasant climate makes it an ideal summer resort. Highlights include the Heavenly Lake of Yehai, with its enchanting views, the lovely Yemu Gorge, and the wonderfully sculpted Chibi Valley.

Yehai Lake ¥60 per person, Chibi Valley ¥60 per person, Qinni Gully ¥60 per person, Lotus Mountain ¥30 per person, Forest Park ¥78 per person · 5–6 hours

Maqu Grassland

Maqu Grassland is where the Yellow River enters from the southwest and leaves to the northwest, forming the "First Bend of the Yellow River under Heaven." The Ximeiduo Hetang meadows stretch for dozens of kilometres. In mid-July the hillsides are covered with golden Tibetan globeflowers, and in August sky gentians bloom and turn the whole meadow a deep blue. In October, snow-white ranunculus flowers appear around the snowy surroundings. These are the three wonders of Ximeiduo Hetang's flowers. Every August, the Gesar Horse Racing Festival takes place and is wonderfully lively.

Free · 1 day