Sichuan Ma'erkang Travel Guide

Ma’erkang (or Barkam) is the prefecture capital of Aba Tibet & Qiang Autonomous Region of Sichuan Province. This land locked and isolated town in the mountains of southwest China is less known to the outside world. It is in the northwest corner of Sichuan province. It is some 370km away from provincial capital Chengdu. To its north is the vast grassland of Aba and Hongyuan. To its south is the famous Wolong Natural Reserve for Giant Panda. In Tibetan language, Barkam means a place with strong flame. It is home to some 58000 people, with which 60% are ethnic Tibetan. Barkam is the home for Jiarong Tibetan. Jiarong is a branch of Tibetan tribe with traditions, languages, practices and customs differ from that of other sectors of Tibetan tribes.   

● Top things to do  in Barkam

Barkam is an ideal place to experience the marvelous culture of Jiarong Tibetan. Tibetan is actually a conglomeration of many tribes. By language usage, they are divided into Weizang, Kang and Ando. Jiarong was a unique group among all Tibetan tribes living on Tibetan plateau. They are so different from many other Tibetan tribes in languages, customs and traditions that many consider them an independent ethnic group. They were recognized as Tibetan as recent as 1950s.

Barkam is surprisingly a place where the Red Army left many heritages in 1930s during their Long March. There is a commemorate museum for red army in Barkam. The so called Long March was a strategic transfer of military forces of Chinese Communists, the red army. They marched mostly on foot from southeast province of Jiangxi, all the way to the northwest province of Gansu. They reached nowadays Barkam in 1935. To traverse the high mountain ranges and freezing highland lakes were deemed impossible missions for the Chinese Communist army which was still in its infancy. Yet these tough-minded red army soldiers climbed over the snow caped mountains and deadly swamps and finally reached their destination, Yan’an. All the early day leaders of Communist Party, Mao Zedong, Zhou En’lai, Zhu De, left their foot print in this isolated small town.

Kesha residence

Kesha is a small residence community is Cong’en village, Chabao district. It is famous for its well preserved qiong long building- or bunkers-styled residence. Such buildings worked as living houses as well as watchtowers for possible enemy’s attacks or pillage of rivalry tribes. The buildings are mainly made of gallets. The first floors are often used as warehouse or place for live stocks. The living areas are on the second floor, connected by retractable stairs. In case of conflicts, stairs would be retracted from first floor, cutting off the living area from the enemy attacks. There are shooting windows on the building walls for better defense. Such buildings are living fossils of history of thrive and struggle of Jiarong tribes.

Dazang si (Da zang monastery)

The full name of this place is Gadan Dhe-Tsang Lhundrup Ling, or Dazang for short. It sits on a mountain 3000 meter above sea level in north of Barkam town. This complex of religious buildings had stood here since 1414.

Bo lin jia sa

This site is ruins of possibly a small kingdom called Gelin, aroung 1000 years ago as it matches the descriptions of Gelin palace in some history recordings. Some argue that this site might be the government building in Tang dynasty. Barkam was the frontier of Tang border. What lied beyond this region was the realm of Tubo (or nowadays Tibet). Tang dynasty set up administrative center to claim its territory. Less is known about this site. Its mystery attracts many visitors.

● Barkam Food&Drinks

Culinary wise, Barkam region is dominantly Tibetan. You could find all Tibetan food on local dinning table, butter tea, yak meat, pork and mutton, zanba (a pastry made of barley flour). All these food are packed with energy for locals to cope with cold climate. Being a Sichuanese town, Barkam is not immune from spicy flavor. Restaurant owned by Han Chinese offer all types of Sichuan cuisine.

● Barkam Weather

Barkam has a typical west Sichuan highland weather pattern. It has sunny days with clear sky for much of its time, with distinct dry and wet season. Temperature wise, it is always cool without summer heat. Winter is relatively long and temperature could drop to several degrees minus zero. Because of its altitude, some visitors might experience mild symptoms of altitude sickness.

● Barkam Transportation

Barkam is an isolated and land locked small town surrounded by huge mountains. It is about 360km from provincial capital Chengdu and requires a 5 hour drive on mountain road. There are currently no railway service or air service in and around Barkam. Bus service is available in Chengdu Chadianzi Bus Terminal. There are four shifts arranged per day.