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Zhagana: Exploring a Tibetan Village in Gansu, China

Life in one of China's most scenic Tibetan villages ⛰️ 藏区的生活到底是什么样的? 🐴

Destination:ChinaProvince:TibetCity:Lhasa

China travel video

Life in one of China's most scenic Tibetan. This China travel video was filmed by Katherine's Journey to the East 阳离子东游记. Watch the full journey and explore the filming details and destinations on this page.

Welcome to Zhagana, a Tibetan village buried in the mountains in Gansu Province ⛰ we’re going to spend a day here, from watching the sun come up over the mountains, to riding horses, to trying some traditional food, to exploring the village and hearing the stories of some local people 😎 don’t miss out 😜.

--- Katherine's Journey to the East 阳离子东游记
October 4, 2021, Autumn in China

Travel Guides & Tips in this video

Katherine travels to Zhagana, a Tibetan village in Gansu, and sees a sunrise over the surrounding mountains before exploring the area. A horseback ride feels like a private tour when she becomes separated from the main group. She passes herding families, some of whom now run Airbnbs and sell grassland products year-round. In nearby Deo, she finds a clean, modern city that retains ethnic minority culture. She meets local hosts, tastes zanga and Tibetan flatbread with butter and cheese, and considers how tourism may help sustain village life.

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More about the current video:(Published on 2021-10-04)

Life in one of China's most scenic Tibetan villages ⛰️ 藏区的生活到底是什么样的? 🐴

A horseback journey to Zhagana

Katherine's trip to Zhagana begins with sunrise over the mountains of Gansu. She rides a horse on the way to the village and describes the experience as a private tour because she becomes separated from the main group. The journey passes the tents of herding families and offers a view of changing rural livelihoods. Some families are moving away from traditional herding routines and now run Airbnbs for visitors or sell products from the grasslands throughout the year. Their work shows how tourism has become part of life in the area.

Katherine also spends a night in Deo, a city in western China. She is surprised by how clean and modern it feels, while still retaining aspects of ethnic minority cultures. In Zhagana, she walks through the village, talks with residents, and meets a local host, including an elderly man who runs an Airbnb. She notices construction projects and sees them as a sign that tourism revenue may help sustain the village and its population. She also points to local involvement in the work as a way to keep the village's traditional look and feel.

Tibetan food, language, and village life

The food gives Katherine another way to experience the local culture. She tastes zanga, a paste made from baked flour, milk tea, and butter, but says it is not to her taste. She enjoys Tibetan flatbread with butter and cheese. Her reactions are personal and specific: one dish is not for her, while the bread is something she likes. She encourages curiosity about local food, even when a dish may not suit every visitor.

During conversations, Katherine encounters a language barrier and discusses the region's education. Tibetan is the primary language of instruction, while Mandarin is taught as a separate subject. The video portrays the friendliness of residents alongside the practical difficulty of communicating. Katherine reflects on rural villages disappearing as young people seek opportunities in cities. In her view, tourism can help preserve Zhagana's culture and way of life, especially when local people run visitor services and benefit from the income. Her day brings together the mountain setting, horseback travel, food, conversations, and changes connected with tourism.

FAQs (From the traveler's perspective)

Q: What was horseback riding in Zhagana like?
A: The horse was shy at first. When Katherine became separated from the group, the ride felt like a private tour, and she says she enjoyed the experience.
Q: What surprised Katherine about Deo?
A: She was surprised that the city in western China was so clean and modern while retaining its ethnic minority culture.
Q: How did Katherine like zanga?
A: Zanga, a paste made from baked flour, milk tea, and butter, was not to her taste. She enjoyed the Tibetan flatbread with butter and cheese.
Q: What is a main source of income for Zhagana?
A: Tourism brings visitors to the village and helps support its traditional culture and way of life.
Q: What languages are used in Zhagana?
A: Tibetan is the main language. The source says most younger generations also speak Mandarin.

Previous travel video:

Zhagana: Exploring a Tibetan Village in Gansu, China

Welcome to Zhagana, a Tibetan village buried in the mountains in Gansu Province ⛰ we’re going to spend a day here, from watching the sun come up over the mountains, to riding horses, to trying some traditional food, to exploring the village and hearing the stories of some local people 😎 don’t miss...

Zhagana Village: Tibetan Culture & Gansu's Scenic Beauty

Experience the beauty of Zhagana, a hidden Tibetan village nestled in the mountains of Gansu Province. Watch the sunrise paint the peaks, ride horses through stunning landscapes, savor traditional Tibetan cuisine, and immerse yourself in the rich culture as you meet locals and hear their stories. This is a journey into the heart of rural China, revealing the unique charm of a traditional Tibetan village.

Attractions in this video: Zhagana Village