Rock Road

1. Core Positioning: Dual Totems of Historical Adventure Spirit and Natural Wildness Rock Road, originally named Jiangdie Road, stretches 106 kilometers, connecting Zhaguluzhen Town in Zhuoni County with Zhagana in Diebu County. It is the "spiritual totem" of the Gannan self-driving circle. Named after Joseph Rock, an Austrian-American explorer and botanist of the early 20th century, who traveled from Zhaguluzhen deep into Mount Guangai to Zhagana, collecting specimens and documenting Tibetan culture. Through National Geographic, he showcased the magnificent "fairyland on earth" of Gannan to the world. Although Rock did not fully travel the current road, the self-driving community honors his adventurous spirit by naming this route—crossing the junction of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and the Loess Plateau, blending historical depth with natural wild beauty—one of "China’s Most Beautiful 100 Kilometers." 2. Scenic Highlights: A Visual Feast from Canyon Abyss to Cloudy Mountain Pass 1. Geological Wonders: Millennia of Dialogue Between Glaciers and Rocks Guangai Mountain Pass: At nearly 4,000 meters elevation, it is the highest point on Rock Road. Standing at the pass, you can see U-shaped glacial valleys and continuous snow-capped mountains. Prayer flags flutter fiercely in the strong wind, with Quaternary glacial relics and alpine meadows intertwined, creating an "alien planet"-like desolate beauty. Stone City: The highest elevation on the road, the glacier-eroded mountain is barren, with black rocks carved like knives and axes. On sunny days, sunlight dances between the rock crevices; on cloudy days, it is shrouded in mysterious mist, truly a "geological museum." Chebagou: The valley section starting from Zhaguluzhen Town, with scattered pastoral villages on both sides, babbling streams, Tibetan wooden houses, and barley fields, resembling scenes from "The Peach Blossom Spring." 2. Ecology and Culture: Authentic Presentation of Tibetan Life Niba Village: The only century-old Tibetan village in Gannan listed in China’s Traditional Villages directory. Wooden houses built along the mountain, villagers still maintain a semi-agricultural, semi-pastoral lifestyle. Morning smoke curls up, and in the evening, the sound of prayer wheels and dogs barking mingle. Visitors can participate in making tsampa and listen to stories of tribal migration. Zhagana: The endpoint of Rock Road, meaning "stone box" in Tibetan. Four villages—Daiba, Dari, Yeri, and Dongwa—are nestled among steep peaks. When morning mist swirls, it looks like a fairyland. The Fairy Girl Beach grassland and the Tibetan Buddhist architecture of Lasang Monastery form the ultimate image of a "hidden sacred place." 3. Seasonal Highlights: The Color Magic of Four Seasons June to August: Mountain meadows bloom wildly with wildflowers, alpine rhododendrons and gesang flowers cover the slopes, and streams are crystal clear—ideal for photography and hiking. September to October: Autumn deepens, forests turn colorful, with golden poplars, green pines, and fiery shrubs, forming a "natural oil painting" with distant snow mountains. November to April: Heavy snow seals the mountains, some road sections freeze, only hardcore off-road vehicles can pass, but the snow-covered passes and ice formations attract a few adventurers. 3. Self-Driving Experience: The "Hardcore Sky Road" of Challenges and Surprises 1. Road Conditions and Vehicles: The Ultimate Test on Unpaved Roads First 35 kilometers: From Zhaguluzhen Town to Jiangche Village, a well-paved asphalt road, elevation rising from 2,700 to 3,000 meters, with dense forests and ancient villages to enjoy. Last 65 kilometers: From Jiangche Village to Zhagana, the road condition deteriorates sharply—over 60% gravel, potholes, and washboard roads. Two 4,000-meter passes must be crossed, some cliffside roads only allow one vehicle at a time, with high risk of falling rocks. Vehicle recommendation: Four-wheel-drive SUVs or off-road vehicles are essential; sedans easily bottom out. Check tires, spare tire, and brakes before departure; carry snow chains (in winter), tow ropes, and air pumps. 2. Driving Skills: The Art of Competing with Mountain Roads Curve strategy: For continuous hairpin turns, downshift early and control speed to avoid skidding from sudden braking; when meeting oncoming vehicles, slow down and keep close to the mountain side. Altitude adaptation: Rapid ascent from 2,700 to 4,000 meters; it is recommended to stop every hour to rest, hydrate, and get oxygen to prevent altitude sickness. Weather response: During the rainy season (July-August), mudslides are common; monitor real-time road conditions via the "Gannan Traffic" WeChat public account. In winter (November to March), some sections are snow-covered and only accessible to professional convoys.