Dege County in Deep Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture: the origin of Kham

Dege, meaning "land of benevolence" in Tibetan, is derived from the "ten benevolences of the 4 orders" of Tibetan Buddhism. The Dege clan and the toponym of Dege both began to appear in the early period of the Yuan Dynasty and the year of 1913 saw the establishment of Dege County. It is the seat of Dege County, and was once the center of the kingdom of Dege, one of the largest and most important of the regional kingdoms in Kham.

Derge the historical place of the ancient kingdom of Derge. Derge is also the center of Nyingmapa Sect of Tibetan Buddhism. It boasts for “the Origin of Kham” and “Hometown of King Gesar”. Derge Parkhang is the shrine of Tibetan Culture.

● Top things to do in Dege

● Dege Scripture Printing Institute (Dege Parkhang) was founded in 1729 AD, with a total area of about 5,000 square meters, a building area of nearly 3,000 square meters, and a total construction area of more than 9,000 square meters. It is located in the Cultural Street of Dege County (Gengqing Town), It was listed as a national key cultural relics protection unit by the People’s Republic of China in 1996.

● Xinlu lake, also known as “Yulhun Lhatso“, is on the side of the Sichuan-Tibet Highway, about 100 kilometers away from Dege County, with an altitude of 4,040 meters. Xinlu lake has an average depth of 10 meters and the deepest point is 15 meters. It is a ice-eroded lake in Garze Prefecture.

● Chola Mountain is a prominent mountain in a virtually untouched region of Western Sichuan, The highest peak of Chola soars 6168 meters into the sky, and it is a mountain covered year round in snow and ice. It is home to many glaciers, lakes, old monasteries and wild valleys and animals. It is by far one of the least explored regions in Sichuan with stunning nature.

● Dzogchen monastery was built in 1685 AD. It is located in Gengda Village, Zhuqing Township with altitude of 3550 meters above sea level. It is one of the 6 major monasteries of Nyingma pa of Tibetan Buddhism.

● Palpung monastery was built in 1179 AD, and is located on a hill with altitude of 3800 meters above sea level. It is the main monastery of Kagyu pa of Tibetan Buddhism in Kham. Together with Tsurphu monastery in Lhasa, they are both known as the two great resorts of Kagyu pa.

● Shechen monastery was built in 1698 AD and was completed around 1731 AD. It is one of the dojos that focuses on the practice of Nyingma pa of Dzogchen (meaning “the great completion“)

● Dzongsar monastery was originally built by believers of Bon religion in 746 AD. Later, it was changed to Nyingma pa, and then to Kadam pa of Tibetan Buddhism. It was not until 1275 AD that the 5th generation His Holiness of Sakya pa — Phagpa came here, and this monastery was converted to be a Sakya pa monastery.

● The Maisu area is known as “China’s Bhutan” , Historically, together with Lhasa and Xiahe in Gnasu, they are known as the “three major ancient Tibetan cultural centers” and have played a pivotal role in the development of Tibetan culture. There are many studio there , including copper casting, pottery, wood carving, sewing, blacksmithing, gold and silver processing, Thangka and others.