Eden of the Stone City: Exploring the Mystical Majesty of Zhagana

1.The Hidden: Paradise of the Gannan Highlands

2.Located deep within the mountains of Diebu: County in the Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Zhagana—which translates to "Stone Box" in the Tibetan language—is a geological and cultural masterpiece. This "Stone City," as it is often called, is a natural fortress formed by high-altitude limestone mountains ranging from 3,000 to 4,500 meters in elevation. For decades, it remained a hidden gem until the American explorer Joseph Rock visited in the early 20th century, famously describing it as a potential "birthplace of Adam and Eve" due to its pristine, Eden-like beauty.

A Harmonious Himalayan Ecosystem

3.What makes: Zhagana globally significant is its unique and integrated ecosystem, recognized for the "Forest-Field-Pasture-Village-Monastery" model. The landscape is shared among four traditional Tibetan villages—Dongwa, Ridi, Dari, and Geba—and the Lari Monastery, which serves as the spiritual heart of the valley. Here, the massive limestone peaks create a dramatic backdrop for terraced fields of highland barley and lush forests, where the local people maintain a lifestyle that has remained harmonious with nature for centuries.

The Soul of the Stone Fortress

4.The spiritual presence of the Lari: Monastery, a Gelug sect temple originally built during the Kangxi period, infuses the valley with a sense of profound tranquility. At dawn, as the chanting of monks and the chime of temple bells echo through the mountain mist, the entire valley awakens in a scene that feels like a living scroll painting. Whether it is the golden light reflecting off the "Daybreak Stone City" or the silhouettes of grazing yaks on the high-altitude pastures, Zhagana offers a rare glimpse into the spiritual and ecological resilience of the Tibetan plateau.