Much like Jiuzhaigou, the draw to Langmusi was a combination of Tibetan culture and natural beauty.

Two large Tibetan temples sit above the town, and beyond both lie opportunities for hiking through distinctly different environments.

Just past the Sichuan monastery lies Namo Gorge, a valley enclosed by rocks and a fog that I don’t recall ever having seen the sun peer out from behind.

On the Gansu side of town, the temple lead to a hill overlooking hills and grasslands as far as light would carry.

And of course, tying community and landscape together, the ubiquitous prayer flags flying over all the hills.

I knew it was time to leave town when I woke up one morning and there was ice forming on the forested hills surrounding the town.

All the tibetans and pilgrims and monks one could ask for.