Aba Prefecture

Decent place if you're into raw nature, but the infrastructure is lacking. Public restrooms were filthy and our hotel had no heating—at night it dropped to near freezing. The scenery saved it though, especially the waterfalls near the eastern gorge. Give it a 3.5 if I could, but bumping to 4 for the stunning landscapes.

One of the most peaceful places I've ever been. Woke up to the sound of prayer flags flapping in the wind and watched the sunrise paint the mountains pink. The locals are so warm and welcoming. A truly spiritual experience away from the crowds. Highly recommend hiring a Tibetan guide—they share amazing stories.

Honestly felt a bit let down. Maybe I came during the wrong season, but the grasslands were mostly brown and the sky was overcast the whole time. The monastery was nice, but entrance felt overpriced. Food options were limited to spicy noodle stalls. Not bad, just not what I expected from all the hype.

Aba has stunning natural scenery, no doubt. But the road conditions are pretty rough in some parts, and the altitude really got to me. Also, most signs are only in Chinese, which made it hard to navigate without a local guide. Still worth it for the quiet beauty, but be prepared.

Absolutely breathtaking! The views of the snow-capped peaks and the vast grasslands are like something out of a dream. We stayed in a local guesthouse near the Tibetan village and the hospitality was incredible. The yak butter tea tasted way better than I expected. Already planning to come back next autumn!