Things to do in Dege

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Ganzi Ashu Grassland

No. 2 of Night Attractions in Ganzi Prefecture

Genyen Mountain

Genyen Mountainis located in the Shaluli Mountains, the watershed between the Jinsha River and the Yalong River. It is one of the higher peaks in this range, with an elevation of approx. 6,200 m, making it the third-highest peak in Sichuan Province. It stands majestically in the center of the Hengduan Mountains and is known as the Heart of the Hengduan Mountains. It is a sacred mountain in the hearts of the Tibetan people, and the tradition of circumambulation pilgrimage continues to this day. The mountain is part of a massive ancient ice cap relic on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The terrain is relatively gentle, with peaks such as Xiaozha Peak, Kemailong Peak, and others arranged in sequence on both sides. The Eye of Genie on the grassland at the foot of the mountain is a circular alpine lake shaped like a pupil, with the snow-capped peaks reflected on its surface. In the valley betweenGenyenand Xiaozha Mountain lies Lenggu Monastery, founded in 1164. This Karma Kagyu monastery, one of the earliest built after the Kagyu school was introduced to the Kham region, later converted to the Gelug school. Touring Genyen Mountainis generally done by self-drive or car charter along the Genyen southern route, connecting points such as the Eye of Genie, Lenggu Monastery, Zeba Village, and Reti Grassland; outdoor enthusiasts with plenty of energy can also choose a multi-day hiking loop.

Xieqing Temple

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Ling Gesar Castle, Senzong Dazhe Ronggo Monastery

No. 6 of Night Attractions in Ganzi Prefecture

Eye of Genie

Eye of Genieis a seasonal alpine lake located at the foot of Genyen Mountain in Litang, at an elevation of 3,885 m, resting quietly amidst open alpine meadows. It is a circular pond with a diameter of approx. 50 m. The aquatic plants in the pond are distributed in concentric layers, forming a pupil-like shape. Together with the surrounding meadows, it looks like an eye opened by the earth when viewed from above, hence its name, and it is also known as the "Eye to Heaven." When the water is full, the lake reflects the blue sky, white clouds, and the snowy shadows of the Genyen peaks. Genyen Mountain, which guards it, is the main peak of the Shaluli Mountains and is known as the "Heart of the Hengduan Mountains." Local Tibetan people have revered it as a sacred mountain for generations, and "Genyen" means "lay Buddhist" in Tibetan. Eye of Genieis hidden south of Litang County, and generally requires a self-drive or car charter along the Genyen southern route to reach. You need to park your car in a safe place and walk to a higher vantage point to see the full view of this "eye." The water level changes significantly with the seasons, and the outline of the "eye" is less distinct during the dry season.

No. 3 of Best Things to Do in Litang

Letong Ancient Town · Qianhu Tibetan Village

The Sanskrit Music Institute, where you can experience ethnic and religious culture, comprehensively builds an industrial layout of literary, ecological, form, and business formats. In the scenic spot, there are exquisite traditional Tibetan culture-themed restaurants, and the scholarly holy place youth bookstore. Near the scenic spot, there is also a vast expanse of Mao Natural landscapes such as the prairie prairie, the dotted alpine lakes, the Maohe Mountain with strange peaks and rocks, and the magical and beautiful Zhaga Sacred Mountain can be described as a model area of "the integration of scenery and city, the integration of production and city, and the vitality of innovation and entrepreneurship".

No. 7 of Night Attractions in Ganzi Prefecture

Sertar

Sertar is located on the southeastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, in the border area between Sichuan and Qinghai in the northern part of Ganzi Prefecture. The town is the seat of the county government, located in Seke Town. The small town is not large, with several streets laid out in a grid pattern, serving as a common stopover and supply station for tourists entering the Sertar area. "Sertar" means "golden horse" in Tibetan; legend has it that it was named after a horse-shaped piece of gold discovered in Setang in the early years. Prayer flags flutter on the streets, Tibetan restaurants serve butter tea and tsampa, and locals wearing Tibetan robes walk among them. The town is at an altitude of approx. 3893 m, with long winters and no summer. The oxygen content in the air is lower than in the plains, so those arriving for the first time should slow down and prepare enough warm clothing. The town is surrounded by open alpine pastures. In summer, the grass turns green, and yaks and herders' tents are scattered throughout. On the outskirts of the town stands a nine-story demon-subduing pagoda, a stone-and-wood structure that is round inside and square outside, serving as a striking local landmark. The Sertar area is one of the birthplaces of the "Epic of King Gesar," and the Sertar Tibetan Opera is listed as an intangible cultural heritage. Traditional customs, such as the herders' annual Golden Horse Festival, continue to this day. Many people travel specifically to Sertar to catch a glimpse of the Larung Gar Buddhist Academy, located approx. 20 km from the town—the red monk dwellings covering the mountainside from the valley floor to the ridge are a spectacular sight.

Zeba Village

Zeba Villageis a Tibetan pastoral village at the foot of the southern slope of Genyen Mountain in Litang, with an elevation of approx. 3,900m. The village faces the main peak of Genyen Mountain directly, with an almost unobstructed view, making it a common stopover on the Genyen southern route for self-drive tours and hiking. At sunrise, sunlight illuminates the snow-capped peaks that are covered in snow all year round. The area around the white stupa at the village entrance is a common spot for viewing the golden mountain at sunrise; there is little light pollution here at night, and when the weather is clear, you can look up and see a crystal-clear starry sky, and sometimes you can even encounter a sea of clouds rolling over the valley. A representative activity in the village is to see the "Lone Tree": hike or ride a horse up the trail behind the village, passing through alpine meadows. In summer, there are fields of wildflowers, and that solitary tree on the grassy slope faces the main peak of Genyen and the southern slope glacier. Points of interest on the same Genyen southern route, such as the Eye of Genie, Hupi Dam, and Lenggu Monastery,also often form an itinerary with Zeba Village. The village is primarily pastoral, where Tibetan villagers have lived for generations. Now, a number of Tibetan-style homestays have been developed. Staying in a Tibetan home and drinking a bowl of butter tea allows you to experience the daily life of a highland pastoral village.