Latest Five-Day Travelogue of Gannan: Day Three Watching the Sunrise in Zhagana

Last night, we stayed at Zhagana Tibetan Family Hotel, which we booked online—the conditions were just average. At 5 a.m., my partner and I struggled to get up. By 6:10, our driver, Master Liang, picked us up to take us to the Dari Viewing Platform in Zhagana for sunrise. We thought we were early, but to our surprise, there was barely any standing room left—it was packed! For those who want to photograph the sunrise, I recommend going even earlier, but be prepared for the cold. Dress warmly: wear a padded jacket or down coat if you have one; if not, maybe skip it. We waited an hour at the viewing platform before the sun finally made its slow, belated appearance. It wasn’t as stunning as we’d imagined, so we packed up early and headed for breakfast. Master Liang arranged for us to eat mixed sauce noodles, which instantly warmed us up and banished the cold and hunger. After breakfast, we entered the Zhagana scenic area. The sightseeing bus cost 40 yuan per person, taking us to Yixiantian. The main attractions were further up, accessible either by foot or horseback. We chose to walk, but there were no signs, just horse droppings everywhere. The scenery was similar to Taihang Mountain in our hometown of Henan, so we decided to turn back. Instead, we visited the so-called "Little Switzerland"—Fairy Meadow. Yellow flowers dotted the green grass, complementing the distant mountains and villages. Truly a place fit for the gods! At 11:30, the thoughtful Master Liang arranged lunch for us—he really went above and beyond. After lunch, we headed to the First Bend of the Yellow River. Along the way, we stopped at Flower Lake for a quick stroll. Though we had press cards, entry wasn’t free—just a partial discount. The total cost for two, including tickets and shuttle, was 160 yuan. After the shuttle, we had to walk a long, long way to reach the wetlands. But the hike was worth it—the most beautiful scenery always comes at the end. Above us, blue skies and white clouds; below, clear water with swimming fish. The lake mirrored the sky, and my partner said it was like a mirror of heaven. Around 7 p.m., we arrived at the First Bend of the Yellow River. This scenic spot wasn’t press-friendly—no discounts except for disabled veterans. We paid 210 yuan for two tickets, including the escalator. At the top, we found many photography enthusiasts who had already been waiting for two or three hours. Passion really drives people forward! The viewing platform was so crowded we could barely find a spot. After snapping a few photos, we hurried back. The return path was unnecessarily long—just a few hundred meters in a straight line, but the winding boardwalk stretched on forever, especially at over 3,000 meters above sea level. It made the experience feel like a letdown. That night, we stayed in Tangke Town at the Raphael Hotel, which Master Liang helped us book at a discounted rate—just 200 yuan, a great deal for Gannan. Dinner was at Fuyuan Restaurant, also arranged by Master Liang. The Sichuan cuisine was flavorful and aromatic, and the owner was very kind. We ordered cucumber with sliced pork, and halfway through, the owner brought us another plate. He explained that the chef wasn’t satisfied with the first batch and made a new one. A small gesture, but it touched us deeply. Tomorrow, we’re heading to the long-awaited Nianbaoyuze. Fingers crossed for no altitude sickness!