Mysterious Tibetan Area in West Sichuan:Gani Tibetan autonomous prefecture

Located in western Sichuan, Ganzi or Garzê is the largest Tibetan-inhabited area in Sichuan with a total area of 153,002 square kilometers.

Located in western Sichuan Province, Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture is an important Tibetan area in China on the southeast edge of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau. It borders Yunnan Province on the south and Qinghai Province on the north, are separated from Tibet by the Jinsha River. Kangding is the political, economic and cultural center of the prefecture.

The population sums up to 900,000, 78.4% of which are Tibetans. The Tibetans in Ganzi Prefecture mainly belong to the same Kham Tibetans as the Tibetans in eastern Tibet, the population is made up of mainly Tibetans.

Consisting of 18 scenic counties,most of the major towns in Ganzi have old Tibetan monasteries (gompas), many of which are of historical significance. Of particular importance are the monasteries in Tagong, Litang, Sershu, and Darjay Ghompa (near Ganzi city). It makes an ideal place to experience the Tibetan way of life without the hassle of entering Tibet itself.

Ganzi is also renowned for its snow-capped mountains, glaciers, forests, and running rivers.You can also find nomads wandering with their herds cozily on the grassland, singing pastoral songs.

Highlights for Touring Ganzi Tibet Autonomous Prefecture

Within Garze, there well preserve a UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Programme Reserve (Daocheng Yading), hundreds of holy snowcapped mountains (Mount Gongga, etc.), a world class rare glacier (Hailuogou Glacier Park), national top grassland, more than 500 Tibetan temples and monasteries, groups of exquisite Tibetan villages, pure Khams Tibetan people, thick primitive forest, and rich species of rare plants, flowers and animals, etc. There is no wonder that people say it is really wonderful for every kilometer and a dreamy idyllic land with nature and human feelings. Crossed by National Road 317 that is part of the famous beautiful Western Sichuan Loop, Garze is always very popular to travelers to appreciate its typical natural splendors in person, and is also spread its popularity among the whole world!

● Reputed as “A World with Lights and Shadow” and “A Paradise for Photographers”, Xinduqiao is the must-visit part. Enthusiasts of photography will be marveled at the fabulous natural lights and shadows, and the idyllic landscape of vast grassland where flocks of sheep and cattle are scattered, soft clear brooks, golden poplars in autumn, snow-capped mountains afar...

● Tagong offers a good mix of adventure, nature, and culture. Known for its expansive grassland, Tagong is a prime location for  horse-riding. Horse-riding is a staple form of transportation in Ganzi, and you can easily find Tibetan nomads to take you for a ride. Visitors interested in Tibetan architecture should spend a few days in Jiaju, an idyllic village set on the slopes of a steep valley overlooking a raging river.

● Hailuogou glacier is the popular National Geo-park featured with translucent glaciers, verdant virgin forest, comfortable glacier hot springs, golden snow mountains, changing sea of clouds, etc. beautiful throughout the year.

● Lying on the junction of Sichuan, Yunnan and Tibet, Batang cradled in the alpine hills of westernmost area of Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture is mainly serving as the farthest stop of a Tibetan Sichuan tour can reach to and also a must-pass gateway of driving further west to Tibet.

Cuopugou National Park in Batang does not only offer most primitive high-altitude forest and lake landscape, but also the largest group of geothermal hot springs in the whole Sichuan area.

● Danba is reputed as one of the “Top 6 Most Beautiful Countryside of China”. With a history over 5000 years, Danba County itself has so much to experience. It is called “A Place of Hunreds of Ancient Watchtowers”, and in the surrounding hills are clusters of gorgeous and traditional stone Jiarong Tibetan Villages with ancient watchtowers.

One of the popular tourist destinations in Ganzi Prefecture is Yading Nature Reserve in Daocheng County, also known as Daocheng Yading. You will be amazed by the incredible reflection of snow-blanketed peaks of the above holy peaks, together with pristine forest and idyllic pasture in the last “Shangri-la”.

● Mount Gongga, or Minya Konka is crowned as the “King of Sichuan Mountains” with an altitude of 7,556m above sea level. It is not only a sacred mountain for local Tibetans, but also a great destination for trekkers around the world.

● Located near the border of Daofu County, Danba County, and Kangding County, of Ganzi Autonomous Prefecture, Yala Mountain is one of the most popular mountain treks in the Sichuan region. With snow covered peaks year round, Mt. Yala has an elevation of 5,820 meters and offers several trek options for mountain enthusiasts. The area around the border of Kangding that includes the mountain range is also a nature preserve.

● Lithang County of Ganzi is famous for its annual horse festival. This is an amazing opportunity for you to know the nomadic culture, such as archery, dining, and livelihood of Tibetan nomads. If you are interested in it, don’t miss out the great chance to enjoy Litang Horse Racing Festival Tour.

Maoya Steppe was praised as one of the most beatiful and widest steppes in China by the China National Geography - the winding river stretching cross wide pasture, nomads herding yaks back to the tents, eagles hovering up.

Mount Genie (Genyen) is the highest mountain in southenr Kham with an altitude of 6204 meters. Only the bravest trekkers have opportunities to witness the splendid beauty of Genie - snow leopards, white-lipped deers, untouched forests, deep valleys, green grasslands, thousand-year-old monastery, holy snow mountain...

Ganzi comprises 1 county-level city and 17 counties:

Kangding City、Luding County、Danba County、Jiulong County、Yajiang County、Daofu County、Luhuo County、Ganzi County、Xinlong County、Dege County、Baiyu County、Shiqu County、Sede County、Litang County、Batang County、Xiangcheng County、Daocheng County、Derong County.

Ganzi Food and Drinks:

In Ganzi, unlike the rest of Sichuan province which boast a diverse cuisine, there are only a few staple food. Food in Ganzi mainly retains Tibetan way of cooking, some of the dishes to look out for are Tsamba, Kangding jelly bean, Yak-meat dumplings, and Maiqiu smoked beef among others.

Tea is the most popular Tibetan drink. Many kinds of tea can be prepared such as milk tea, butter tea, marrow tea, yak-oil tea and qingke-flour tea, etc. Qingke (highland barley) liquor is the major genre of liquors. The most distinguished way of drinking is “sipping”. While drinking, people like to sing toasts to add the fun points.

Ganzi Transportation:

Airports in Ganzi

There are three airports in Ganzi prefecture: Kangding Airport, Daocheng Yading Airport, and most recently Gesar Airport. These three airports are relatively new to accommodate the increasing tourism, and are some of the world's highest airports laying 4,274 metres above sea level.

G317 Road and G318 Road through Ganzi prefecture

There are 2 main highways that run through Ganzi prefecture. China National Highway 317, also known as the Northern Tibet-Sichuan Highway, begins in Chengdu and goes through the counties of Luhuo, Ganzi and Dege in northwestern Garnze prefecture before crossing into the Tibet Autonomous Region.

China National Highway 318, or the Southern Tibet-Sichuan Highway,  runs through the central part of the prefecture from Kangding west to Yajiang, Litang and Batang before entering the Tibet Autonomous Region.

Running crossing more than a dozen mountains over 4,000 meters, high mountain passes, dozens of famous rivers, primeval forests, and passing numerous lakes, villages, and monasteries, the routes are one of the most adventurous journeys in the world.

Altitude Sickness is A Real Threat

Once you step into the Western Sichuan region, you are at an average altitude of 2,500m or so. And with the mountain or plateau height ascends, this number will increase, which means you’ll may be walking around day-to-day with altitude sickness. And you will be more likely to get the altitude sickness if you risk getting up even higher by hiking or trekking mountains, because most of the mountains in this region are at 3,000, 4,000m or even 4,000m on average.

Before the trip, you are advised to have some Rhodiola Rosea tablets at least a week before you go. However, Rhodiola Rosea may be not available for everyone and cannot cure everything. If possible, please listen to your doctors about whether you can have a tour and whether you can take some medicine.

During the trip, you are suggested to be accompanied by an experienced local guide and walk slowly, drink more hot water and wear warmer.