Sunset Silhouette Perfect Photo Spot

Jiagenba (commonly misnamed as "Jiagenbei") is located in the southwest of Kangding City, Ganzi Prefecture, Sichuan Province. It is the core settlement of Muya culture and is known as "the last paradise in western Sichuan." Here, snow-capped mountains, Tibetan villages, flower seas, and pastoral life blend harmoniously. The following guide covers historical culture, in-depth experiences, and practical tips: 1. Historical Culture: The Living Heritage of Muya Civilization Jiagenba is one of the birthplaces of the Muya Tibetan people, with cultural roots tracing back 4,000 years. The Muya Guozhuang dance is a national intangible cultural heritage, where dancers in elaborate costumes perform the ancient legend with a "three-step one-lift" dance, combining solemn rituals for blessings and joyful reflections of daily life. The tall watchtowers are the wisdom of the Muya people; the "male and female twin towers" in Ritou Village are 800 years old. These 30-meter-high octagonal towers, built with stone and wood, were used for defense and signaling and form the densest ancient watchtower group on the western Sichuan plateau. The Ming Dynasty murals and the "Golden Scriptures" and "Silver Scriptures" (Buddhist scriptures written on gold and silver sheets) in Riku Temple are rare treasures. A museum is currently being planned for visitors. 2. In-Depth Experiences: A Secret Realm Beautiful in All Seasons 1. Classic Photo Spots • Ese Flower Sea (May-June): The Ese flowers (Gongga crabapple) on both sides of the valley bloom like waves of snow. The wooden plank road in Tiwu Village and along the Liqu River are the best spots for photography. At night, the starry sky reflects in the flower sea, creating a fairy-tale world. • Ritou Village and Lize Village: Barley fields, Tibetan wooden houses, and Yala Snow Mountain in one frame. In the early morning mist, it looks like a fairyland. The ancient watchtower group and century-old Ese trees in Ritou Village create a charming scene, perfect for capturing cultural and natural masterpieces. • Yaha Pass and Zimei Pass: Stunning viewing platforms facing the "King of Sichuan Mountains," Gongga Snow Mountain. Winter offers snowy landscapes, and summer is ideal for photographing the starry Milky Way. From the pass, the calcified pools of Quanhua Beach look like a giant earth palette. • Moon Lake and Quanhua Beach: Moon Lake is a perfect combination of alpine lake and primeval forest, where yak herds stroll leisurely by the shore. The layered calcified landforms of Quanhua Beach reach up to 4,600 meters in elevation and require a one-hour hike to reach. 2. Off-the-Beaten-Path Experiences • Tinong Secret Realm (4,588 meters altitude): Entry requires a 25 yuan cleaning fee. You can photograph the reflection of Gongga Snow Mountain and the golden sunlight on the mountain. There is a swing at the summit, perfect for creative photos. • Yanong Village Café and Marmots: Navigate to "Gongga Photographers' Home" to watch marmots for free. Nearby Muya Lake can be an alternative to Yaha Pass for viewing, accessible by a 13 km hike or a 260 yuan car ride. • Zesangla Aerial Garden: Climb the dirt road west of Xueyin Pavilion guesthouse for a 360° panoramic view of the Gongga peaks and meadow forests. Wildflowers bloom in summer, and autumn brings colorful foliage. 3. Festivals and Folk Customs • Mountain Circumambulation Festival (8th day of the 4th lunar month): One of the grandest festivals in the Kangding area. The Jiagenba sub-venue features horse racing, Getun (neck strength competition), Guozhuang dance, and more. Visitors can participate in the blessing mountain circumambulation. • Barley Harvest Season (September-October): Thousands of acres of golden barley fields, with villagers dressed in traditional costumes harvesting. Tiwu Village’s barley farm offers farming experiences, including barley threshing and grinding tsampa. 3. Practical Tips: Immersive Travel Guide 1. Transportation and Routes • Self-driving: Depart from Chengdu via the Yakan Expressway to Kangding, cross Zheduo Mountain to Xinduqiao, then the last 30 km directly to Jiagenba. The whole trip takes about 6 hours. An SUV is recommended as some village roads are narrow and unpaved (such as the Zesangla Aerial Garden). • Public Transport: Take a bus from Chengdu Xinnanmen Bus Station to Kangding (about 4 hours), then transfer to a carpool to Jiagenba (about 2 hours, 50 yuan per person). • Classic Circuits: ◦ Western Sichuan Small Loop: Chengdu - Kangding - Xinduqiao - Jiagenba - Danba - Siguniang Mountain - Chengdu (3-4 days) ◦ Gongga Pilgrimage Route: Chengdu - Xinduqiao - Jiagenba - Lenggacuo - Zimei Pass - Quanhua Beach - Moon Lake (4-5 days) 2. Accommodation and Food • Recommended Stays: ◦ Shachu Inn: A Tibetan-style guesthouse in Muya Village with snow mountain views from the window, offering traditional Tibetan meals and Waisang (Tibetan incense) experiences. ◦ Songdun Niji Station: A high-end guesthouse in Riche Village equipped with oxygen machines and floor heating, only a 5-minute walk to the viewing platform, with summer camping available. ◦ Zhabucang Guesthouse: A vintage Tibetan house near Tinong Secret Realm. The owner is a lama from Riku Temple and can arrange starry sky photography including Gongga’s hanging moon. • Food Must-Try: ◦ Yak hot pot (with local mushrooms), butter tea, barley cakes dipped in honey, Tibetan fragrant pork bacon. ◦ Hidden Gems: Freshly milked yak milk from herders in the early morning, heated for a rich taste; free matsutake mushroom picking in October at Pengbuxi Village. 3. Notes • Altitude Sickness: Jiagenba averages 3,200 meters above sea level. Avoid strenuous exercise on the first day and prepare glucose oral solution. Some spots (like Tinong Secret Realm) exceed 4,500 meters; taking Rhodiola in advance is recommended. • Weather and Gear: The plateau has large temperature differences between day and night; even in summer, bring a down jacket. UV protection is essential in May-June (UV glasses a must), and anti-slip chains are needed from November to March. • Cultural Respect: Do not step on prayer flags or mani stone piles; photography is prohibited inside temples. When participating in Guozhuang dance, women should follow the group clockwise. • Environmental Tips: Carry out all trash. Some campsites (like Riou Village) offer paid cleaning services (40 yuan per tent). 4. Seasonal Highlights: Unique Experiences in Different Seasons • Spring (May-June): Ese flower sea intertwined with barley seedlings. Tiwu Village hosts the Ese Flower Festival with photography contests and Tibetan costume experiences. • Summer (July-August): Songdun Niji Station in Rize Village is a summer retreat. Nearby primeval forests offer mushroom picking (morels, matsutake). • Autumn (September-October): Golden barley fields and poplar forests in Lize Village, with the Liqu River reflecting snow mountains, a photographer’s paradise of light and shadow. • Winter (November-February): The calcified beach in Tiwu Village forms a blue ice spectacle. Snowfields and yak herds in Riche Village create an ink painting scene. Experience Tibetan New Year’s Waisang blessing rituals. The beauty of Jiagenba lies in its uncarved originality and purity. Whether it’s the smoke from Tibetan village kitchens in the morning mist or the bonfire Guozhuang dance under the Milky Way at night, it reveals the most authentic side of western Sichuan. Before departure, it is recommended to follow the "Ganzi Public Security Traffic Police" WeChat official account for real-time road conditions and avoid the rainy season (July-August) and extreme winter weather for the best travel experience.