Gannan Secret Realm | I thought Western Sichuan was beautiful, until I drove to Northern Sichuan...

It is said that Western Sichuan is the favorite destination for self-driving enthusiasts. Having traveled countless times to Western Sichuan, we chose to travel in the opposite direction this winter and went to Northern Sichuan. It turns out that this Gannan loop, which runs through Sichuan and Gansu, is so beautiful❗ Gannan in winter is like a hidden paradise, mysterious and breathtaking... ⭐Treasured spots on the Gannan loop—— 1️⃣ Awancang Wetland: China · Gansu · Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture 📌 Located in Awancang Town, Maqu County, Gannan (Maqu: Tibetan for "Yellow River," is the only county in China named after the Yellow River), it was rated as the first of the "Five Most Beautiful Grassland Wetlands in China" by *China National Geographic*. Altitude: 3,400m, Ticket 💰: 30 yuan, free in winter, you can walk directly in. Awancang Wetland was a spot we discovered on our way back. The weather was great when we passed by, and the blue sky and white clouds ☁️ added to the scenery. Here, the river loops, thousands of mountains compete in shape, and the Nine Bends of the Yellow River looks magnificent and has obvious curves. It is said that the best viewing period here is from May to September, but I think winter adds a sense of tranquility and harmony, as if you are in a fairyland. Walking along the boardwalk, surrounded by vast grasslands and free cattle and sheep 🐏, you may also encounter rare wild animals such as Tibetan wild donkeys and Tibetan gazelles, feeling the vitality of nature 🍃, and the beauty is endless. In the morning 🌞 and evening, the soft sunlight is perfect for capturing the beauty of the lake, snow-capped mountains 🏔️, and wetlands. -- 2️⃣ Zhagana: Diebu County, Gannan, Gansu Province Altitude: around 3,000m (Zhagana · Tibetan means "stone box"), rated by *National Geographic* as a must-visit place in one's lifetime. 🕰️ Best travel time: June-September, the grasslands are green in summer, and the scenery is super beautiful. In winter, Zhagana is also free of charge, and you can enjoy the various viewing platforms exclusively. Zhagana in winter is more profound and mysterious. 📌 Zhagana includes four villages, from bottom to top: Dongwa Village, Yeri Village, Dari Village, and Daiba Village. There are 4 viewing platforms: "Dari Viewing Platform, Locke Viewing Platform, Shimen Viewing Platform, and Xiannvtan Viewing Platform." Among them, the Dari Viewing Platform is the highest viewing platform and a must-visit spot for watching the sunrise 📷. We had limited time and only went to two viewing platforms. If time permits, you can also embark on a Locke's journey self-driving tour from Zhagana❗ -- Spending a day driving on this loop, the comfortable feeling of being away from the city's high-rise buildings lingers for a long time. This kind of trip is really awesome ❤️