Amdo to Kham Overland

Jyekundo

 

Jyekundo means a place where one valley opens into another one, The valley formed by two tributaries of the Jyegu river, Dzachu and Pelchu. Jyekundo, like most parts of Yushu prefecture, is moreover rich in Buddhist monasteries. The different balance of power in this part of Kham enabled the older Tibetan Buddhist orders to prevail in Yushu, The main monastery in town is the Sakyapa monastery Dhondrub Ling, commonly just called Yushu Gompa. Like at the beginning of the 20th century. Other nearby monastic sites include the important Karma-Kagyupa monastery  Domkar Gompa and Thrangu Gompa, the famous Mahavairocana Temple often called Wencheng Temple and the popular religious site of Gyanamani with its billions of mani stones.

 

 

 

Nambar Nangzel Temple

 

This temple is more than 1300 years old and built by the Chinese Princess Wen Cheng who married the famous Tibetan King – Tsongtsen Gampo in the 7th Century A.D. She brought with her the famous Sakyamuni statue and is still venerated today at the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa. Both Princess Wen Cheng and Thrangu Monastery have been the source of inspiration and the catalyst for the spread of Buddhism throughout the Kham province and especially the Karma Kagyu teachings.

 

Thrangu Monastery

 

Thrangu Monastery had more than 10,000 lamas and was known as the “Monastery of the 10,000 Lamas”. At the 13th century, Thrangu Monastery was seriously destroyed by the Mongolian’s attack.The 7th Karmapa, Chodrak Gyamtso rebuilt and expanded this Monastery.Upon recognizing and naming the 1st Tulku Thrangu Rinpoche, the Karmapa handed the monastery over to him. Thrangu Monastery became one of the foremost centers for the study of Buddhist philosophy in Tibet.Unfortunately, the 1,300- year old Thrangu Monastery was near the epicenter of the devastating Qinghai earthquake. The monastery was almost completely devastated and 20 monks were perished. After the quake, Thrangu Rinpoche had sent twelve senior lamas, who head his centers around the world. They will help people and start the long process of rehabilitation and rebuilding.

 

Achen Ganggyab (Hoh Xil)

 

Hoh Xil or Kekexili, (Mongolian for “Blue ridge”, also Achen Ganggyab for “Lord of ten thousand mountains”), is an isolated region in the northwestern part of the Tibet Plateau . It the least and the world’s third-least populated area.

 

The region covers 83,000 square kilometres at an average elevation of 4,800 meters, stretches in a meridional (east-west) direction between the Tanggula and Kunlun mountain chains. The southeastern part of the Hoh Xil, drained by the Chumar River, is one of the major headwater sources of the Yangtze River. The rest of the region is endorheic, with drainage to numerous isolated lakes; this area sometimes described by hydrologists as the “Hoh Xil lake district”. 45,000 square kilometres of the Hoh Xil region, at an average elevation of 4,600 metres, were designated a national nature reserve in 1995.

 

Despite the harsh climate, Hoh Xil is home to more than 230 species of wild animals, 20 of which are under state protection, including the wild yak, wild donkey, white-lip deer, brown bear and the endangered Tibetan antelope or chiru. The abundant plateau pika, a small burrowing rodent, is the main food of the region’s brown bears; the bears also feed on the yak and antelope.

 

The Qinghai Tibet railway and China National Highway 109 run along the eastern boundary of the reserve. The Fenghuoshan Tunnel, presently the world’s highest railway tunnel (1338 m long, with the entrances located at the elevation of 4905 above the sea level), is constructed in the area.

 

Three river’s  National Nature Reserve

 

The three rivers National Nature Reserve in Tibetan also referred to as the Tsangsum Nature Reserve, or the Three Rivers Nature Reserve, is the area of Qinghai province, which contains the headwaters of the Yellow River, the Yangtze River, and the Mekong River. The reserve was established to protect the headwaters of these three rivers. The reserve consists of 18 subareas, each containing three zones which are managed with differing degrees of strictness.Along with wetland and waters protection, other ecological values, such as grassland, forest, and wildlife enhancement, have also been presented as goals. Residents have been resettled from core zones and other grassland areas of the reserve, and rangeland has been fenced and is in the process of being privatized throughout the reserve.

 

Kharnang Monastery

 

Kharnang Monastery lies in the heart of the region and is the only monastery in the region. The monastery was established centuries ago by then Kharnang Yangtul Rinpoche. Prior to the cultural revolution, the monastery housed more than 700 monks studying various levels of tibetan literature and buddhist philosophies. It had an Institute of Higher Buddhist Education including a sutra and tantra college. It was one of the largest monasteries in the Zaghukha area in those days. During the cultural revolution the monastery was completely destroyed, including the Golden Maitreya statue.

 

 

 

 

Region of the High Grasslands of Kham, east Tibet

 

Dzachuka Vast expanses, touching sky, infused with clarity, Dzachuka is an area of northern Sichuan Province in the Tibetan area of Kham. It is known as the High Grasslands, with sweeping views and a mixture of green rolling mountains and craggy snow peaks.

Dzachuka The glacial-fed Dzachu River, one of the region’s major geographic features, becomes the Yalong, and then the Mekong on its journey to the South China Sea.

 

The sky is close and clear, the air thin. The land is above the tree line, with the valley floors at 14,000 feet above the sea.

 

Dzachuka

 

Summers are short with the monsoon spilling over from southeast Asia, watering a lush and green landscape. Wildflowers, medicinal and edible herbs abound. Walking on this thick carpet unleashes intoxicating perfumes. Winters bring a severe cold—dry and windy—changing the land to a stark brown. Snow falls occasionally and then usually blows away, evaporating quickly in the intense sun.

 

Dzachuka The 18 tribes of Dzachuka are nomadic herders. Their famous Khampa attributes—fearless, tough, resilient, resourceful, independent, proud, devout, direct—serve them well in this challenging environment. They own large herds of yak, and also sheep, goats, and horses which are grazed in two or three distinct areas throughout the seasons. Life is lived on the edge of survival in this severe environment, but it is self-sustaining, and for the most part, still outside a cash economy. Most of these original-culture nomads do not read, and speak only their native Dzachuka dialect. The inaccessibility and harsh environment continue to be the culture’s protection, although modern forces are making inroads, sometimes potentially destructive to its sustainability.

 

dzachukaDzachuka is renowned for many enlightened Buddhist masters over the last thousand years, and religious activity continues to be practiced as a central part of life. The Tibetan form of Buddhism, as vast as the Tibetan sky, has been sustained by this indigenous culture through these centuries. It’s a richly symbiotic relationship that has, in turn, nourished the people, the animals, and the land of Dzachuka.

 

dzachukaSershul is the name of the county and the county seat. Sixu, Shiqu, or Serxu are common Chinese transliterations on maps of China, at 33.0° N 98.1° E. It is 1,070 kilometers from the major Chinese city of Chengdu, a three-day drive. The main “industry” of Sershul town is government, but it is also an important local trading center. The local government offices are headed and staffed by a significant number of Tibetans, and they are known to work together for the real benefit of the local people who number 63,000 county-wide.

 

Sershul Monastery

 

Sershul Monastery was established in 1701 and to date has kept a collection of rare sacred Buddhist objects, like the wooden block and hammer used during the initiation and penance ceremonies of monks at the Nalanda University in India at the time of Gautama Buddha – some of the objects having a history of more than 2,000 years.The monastery also has many valuable sacred relics left by eminent monks after their deaths. Examples are for instance when Trinley Norbu lama died in 1995, a mark was left on his skull in the image Vajrapani. In 1997 when Triwa Lobsang lama died, an image of Arya Tara was left on his heart.

 

Sershul Mani Stone Wall(Barge Mani)

 

This is the longest Mani stone wall in the world; it’s located in Sershul County. Dza Patrul Rinpoche began its construction. On the grassland near the intersection of the Mamu River and the Yalong River locates a wall consisting of Mani stone wall with Buddhist inscriptions. contains over 3,000 figures of buddhas in Tibetan Buddhism and thousands of Tibetan Buddhist classics in the 1.7-kilometer-long wall. Sershul Barge Mani stone wall is the longest Mani stone wall in the world.

 

 

Ju Mohor Monastery

 

Ju Mohor Monastery, situated in Junyong in the upper reaches of the Dzachuka Valley of eastern Tibet, is the spirtual home of Amnyi Trulchung Rinpoche, who is its traditional Abbot. It has been the home of many great masters, most famously Jamgon Mipham Rinpoche, the great 19–20th century scholar who grew up at the monastery and completed extensive retreats there.

 

Dzagyel Monastery

 

The building of the Dzagyel monastery at the end of the 19th century was initiated by Patrul Rinpoche who was one of the greatest Buddhist masters of all times. Like most monasteries in the region, it was destroyed during the Chinese Cultural Revolution. Finally, in 1989, the villagers and nomads in the region were allowed to rebuild it.

 

Manigango

 

Situated in halfway between Ganzi and Dege, Manigango is a dusty tiny town with slight mystical atmosphere brought by the Dzogchen Gompa. It’s also an important traffic hub on Sichuan-Tibet route. Husky Tibetans on horsebacks, monks in crimson robes on motorbikes, pilgrims piled up on rattling tractors, Tibetan mastiffs lingering in the street, yaks pacing through down the road.

 

Dzogchen Monastery

Dzogchen Monastery. Rudam Orgyen Samten Chöling, one of the Six “Mother” Nyingma Monasteries of Tibet, was founded by Dzogchen Pema Rigdzin (1625-1697) in 1675 (according to the Great Tibetan Dictionary) or 1684 (according to Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo). It became especially renowned for its Shri Singha Shedra established by Gyalsé Shenpen Thayé during the time of the Fourth Dzogchen Rinpoche Mingyur Namkhé Dorje, shortly after the monastery was almost totally destroyed by an earthquake in 1842. Among the great masters to have lived and taught at Dzogchen are Khenpo Pema Vajra, Patrul Rinpoche, Mipham Rinpoche and Khenpo Shenga.

 

During the time of the Fifth Dzogchen Rinpoche (1872-1935), Dzogchen Monastery was at the peak of its activity, with up to five hundred monks residing, 13 retreat centres, and an estimated two hundred and eighty branches – a gathering of which would have seen tens of thousands of lamas, tulkus, khenpos, monks and nuns. Throughout the year, an extensive array of complex ritual ceremonies were accomplished. Dzogchen was also one of the most famous centres of sacred ritual dance, now commonly known as lama dancing.

 

Yulong Lhatso

 

Yulong Lhatso located beside the Manigange town about 11km, Derge county (100km), made by effects of glaciation, altitude over 4500M, with Chola ranges surrounding, the deepest is 15M, covers an area of 2.72 sq km.

 

Chola Mountain

 

Chola mountains, Chola in Tibetan, meaning ‘a mountain neighboring a lake’, there 5peaks over 5000 meters and a lot of lakes, grass meadows. Now it has been built in 1995 as a national nature reserve over 190sq km for white lips deer, about 180 species of animals living inside.

And in Chola Mountains, it’s glacier has 38 ice rivers, covers of 75000sq M. The peak 6168M, and the road of Sichuan-Tibet pass here about 5050M.

 

Derge

 

Derge is the center heartland of Kham region of Tibet. which means “land of mercy” was one of the three ancient centres of Tibetan culture, along with Lhasa and Labrang.  Derge was formerly the seat of the kings of the kingdom of Derge, whose 1300-year lineage was broken with the death of the last male heir in the 1990s. The kingdom was an important industrial, religious and political center in Eastern Tibet. In the early 20th century, the kingdom fell into political struggle between the final heirs to the throne, Djembel Rinch’en and Doje Senkel.

 

Kingdom of Derge

 

Dergé became the capital of the kingdom in the 15th century under the reign of Lodro Tobden, the 31st in the line of the Derge kings. It was he who invited Thang Tong Gyalpo to establish the renowned Gongchen Monastery in the region. The kingdom expanded during the 18th century under the reign of Tenpa Tsering, who conquered territories to the north.

 

In 1727, the Kingdom of Derge and other regions in Eastern Tibet fell under the governance of China. It is linked with others of the “more important districts”, as Spencer Chapman termed them, such as Nyarong, Batang, Litang, and the five Ho States under the name “Kham”, which Chapman describes as “an indefinite term suitable to the Tibetan Government, who are disconcertingly vague over such details as treaties and boundaries.”In 1733. The Yongzheng Emperor granted the king of Derge status of Hsuan Wei Ssu, a high position for native chieftains which effectively permitted him independence, though he was responsible for paying tribute.[11] In spite of the change of provenance, the kings of the region continued their internal struggles, and in 1863, rule of the kingdom was disrupted for two years by the successful invasion of Nyarong.[9] Intervention by the army of Tibet restored the kingdom, following a brief intermediate governance.[9]

 

In the early 1900s, Eric R. Coales prepared a report that included information about the “recent” history of the kingdom for the British.[12] According to Coales’ report, in 1895, the Governor-General of Szechuan sent forces into Chantui, led by General Chang Chi, who advanced further into Derge.[13] The king and his family were imprisoned in Chengdu.[11] By the time political intrigue in China had forced the troops to withdraw, the king had died, leaving behind two sons, Doje Senkel and Djembel Rinch’en. The former of these enjoyed the support of the Chinese, but the latter, who may have been illegitimate, had backers in Chantui. The two struggled over the throne until 1908, when Doje Senkel appealed for assistance to the Chinese General Chao Eh-Feng, who was on military campaign in the area to secure the political primacy of China.[11] Djembel Rinch’en was driven to take sanctuary with the Dalai Lama, Thubten Gyatso; Doje Senkel yielded the kingdom to China in exchange for an allowance.[14] The Chinese retained direct control of Derge until 1918.[9]

 

The palace of the Derge kings was subsequently converted into a school located next to the Parkhang Monastery.[15]

 

Lodro Tobden

 

Botar Tashi Sengge (bo thar bkra shis seng+ge) was born in fourteenth century, in Kham (khams). He is counted as the head of the family in its thirty-first generation. His father, Dechen Sonam Zangpo (bde chen bsod nams bzang po), served as minister for Chakra Lingpon Dakdrung (lcags dpon gling dpon bdag drung), the ruler of Ling (gling), which at that time was a sizable polity. He had four brothers, but their names are not recorded. Botar is numbered as the thirty-first generation of the house of Derge.

 

Botar had an extremely attractive daughter named Dzeden (mdzes ldan), whose hand was requested by Chakra Lingpon. According to legend, as a dowery Chakra Lingpon offered as much land as Botar could plow in one day. Botar hitched two dzo (mdzo, a yak-cow hybrid) to a plow and proceeded in a straight line, from Khorlodo (‘khor lo mdo) north of Chamdo (chab mdo) to Nyanda (snyan mda’), near Chakra (lcags ra) on the Drichu River (‘bri chu). Some versions of the story have Dzeden at the plow.

 

Botar chose a place called Ngulda (dngul mda’) for his seat and initiated his family’s rule over the kingdom. He famously invited the Nyingma tantric master Tangtong Gyelpo (thang stong rgyal po, c.1361-c.1464) to choose a site for the establishment of a royal temple. Tangtong Gyelpo is said to have meditated in a cave on the west bank of an eastern tributary from which he chose the location. In 1446 Botar built there the Tanggyel Temple (thang rgyal lha khang), which is said to have had one hundred cells for monks. In subsequent generations the Derge Gonchen (sde dge dgon chen), also known as Lhundrubteng Monastery (lhun grub steng) would develop up the valley. Presumably it was at this time that Botar moved the family seat to the current city of Derge.

 

Botar had two sons, Pelden Sengge (dpal ldan seng+ge), who was sent to Ngor Ewaṃ Choden (ngor e waM chos ldan) in Tsang to ordain, and Gyeltsen Bum (rgyal mtshan ‘bum), who inherited the kingdom.

 

Gonchen Monastery

 

Gonchen (also known as Derge Monastery) is a large Sakya Tibetan Buddhist monastery in the town of Derge, in Sichuan, China. Gonchen is located in the ethnic Tibetan cultural region of Kham.

 

Gonchen Monastery was founded by Thang Tong Gyalpo (or Tangton Gyelpo) (1385-1464), a Buddhist yogi and polymath, physician, and treasure finder, renowned for founding of Ache Lhamo, the Tibetan opera, and the numerous iron suspension bridges he constructed throughout the Himalayan region. He is said to have made 108 of them, the most celebrated being the one over the Yarlung Tsangpo near modern Chushul. He is often shown in murals with long white hair and holding some chain links from his bridges.

 

The monastery was restored in the 1980s and the three inner sanctums are dedicated to Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava), Sakyamuni Buddha (Sakya Thukpa) and the future Buddha, Jampa or Maitreya. On the way downhill to the printing press there is a small alley which leads off to the left to the Tangton Gyelpo Chapel (Tangyel Lhakhang).

 

The main chapel of the monastery is an extensive complex which resulted in it being called the “great monastery”. The monastery has a notable design, with striped walls of white, dark red and gray, colors unique to the Sakya sect of Tibetan Buddhism.

 

Derge Parkhang

 

The Derge Parkhang or Derge Sutra Printing Temple is one of the foremost cultural treasures of Tibet.The Derge Parkhang is a living institution devoted to the printing and preservation of Tibetan literature, a printing temple that holds the greatest number of Tibetan woodblocks in the world. The Derge Sutra Printing Temple is one of the most important cultural, social, religious and historical institutions in Tibet. Founded in 1729 by Demba Tsering, the fortieth King of Derge (1678–1739) with the spiritual and literature assistance of the 8th Tai Situ Panchen Chokyi Jungne, the Derge Parkhang is an active center for publication of Tibetan Buddhist sutra, commentaries, and thangka as well as works of history, technology, biography, medicine and literature. Books are still being made in the same way as they have been for almost three hundred years: handprinted from hand-carved wooden blocks. Cinnabar is used to colour the text red,[3] in which workers can print eight to fifteen pages manually a minute, 2500 in a day,  from wooden blocks that have already been engraved with text. Thirty printers are in working condition where printers work in pairs, one puts ink on wooden press, later cleaned in a trough, while the other rolls a piece of paper using a roller which is imprinted red with sayings of Buddha.

History

 

The history of the Derge Parkhang is closely bound to the history of the Kingdom of Derge. From a mythical ancestor in the eighth century, the Derge royal dynasty rose to found and rule an influential independent Tibetan kingdom in the Kham area of Eastern Tibet, controlling a large area straddling the Drichu River on what is now the border between the Tibetan Autonomous Region and Sichuan. Astute politicians, the Kings of Derge maintained political power through generous patronage of religious institutions: their unusual pattern of patronage for all five schools of Buddhism meant strong support for monasteries, learning and art in the area under their political control. They were also able stay on good terms with both of their powerful neighbors, the governments of Lhasa and Beijing.

 

Shechen Monastery

 

Shechen Monastery. one of the Six “Mother” Nyingma Monasteries of Tibet, was founded in 1695 by Shechen Rabjam Tenpé Gyaltsen who was sent to Kham with this purpose by the Fifth Dalai Lama. It is located in Derge between Nangdo and Dzogchen Monastery. Shechen Monastery became, gradually, the head of a network of around one hundred and sixty satellite monasteries situated all over the Himalayan region. Rapidly becoming renowned for the authenticity of the teachings at its shedra and for the quality of its sacred arts, it became one of the six main monasteries of the Nyingma tradition. Many great masters came forth from Shechen Monastery including Shechen Gyaltsab, Shechen Kongtrul, Khenpo Gangshar, and the sage Mipham Rinpoche. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, Chögyam Trungpa and many other important 20th century teachers received teachings at the monastery.

 

Dzongsar monastery

 

Old monastery

 

Dzongsar Monastery was originally founded in 746 AD by a Bönpo Lama. The original Bönpo Gonpa was later transformed into a Nyingma and a Kadampa temple at some stage but it wasn’t until 1275 that it was founded as a Sakya monastery by Drogön Chögyal Phagpa. Dzongsar had between 300 and 500 permanent resident monks, but frequently contained many more people who camped around the monastery in tents to meet with the lamas.

The monastery had twenty three temples, large and small, and many important sacred rooms. It contained hermitages such as Khamshe Shekdra, Karmo Taktsang retreat centre, Gargu Shangchub Rihtrek retreat centre, Zamnang Pema Shelpuk, Zingkhok Trawo retreat centre, Tsedrak Drulphuk, Gyalgen Chungtak, Munong Dorjee Drakal, Tsa-chu-juk Chenresig Lhakang, Honda Thongthong Gyalpo, and others. Dzongsar had a unique collection of Rimé scriptures and teachings, gathered by the proponents of the Rime movement, Jamgon Kongtrul, Chokyi Lingpa and Khyentse Wangpo. Although Dzongsar was a Sakya monastery by principle it was known to be flexible in its teachings and made it possible to study eight sects of Buddhism.

 

New monastery

 

In 1983 the temples and institutions of the monastery were rebuilt but not in its full glory. It now only has six large and small temples. However, one hundred and eighty monk’s residences have been rebuilt and today the main temples cover 48,200 square meters. Today there are more than 200 monks residing at Dzongsar. Dzongsar also runs a school teaching Tibetan traditions, and has an enrollment of about 60 children. The monastery is also known for its incense and sells it commercially as Dzongsar Tibetan Incense Powder and Dzongsar Tibetan Incense Sticks. The incense is made from precious, natural herbal materials from the highlands of Eastern Tibet and is said to have healing effects for the mind and soul, and have the ability to prevent infectious diseases.

 

Katok Monastery

 

Katok or Katok Dorjeeden is one of the six principal monasteries of Nyingmapa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Katok Monastery was founded in 1159 by a younger brother of Phagmo Drupa Dorje Gyalpo, Katok Dampa Deshek, at Derge, the historic seat of the Kingdom of Derge in Kham.

 

Katok Monastery held a reputation of fine scholarship. Prior to the annexation of Tibet in 1951, Katok Monastery housed about 800 monks.

 

Katok was long renowned as a center specializing in the oral lineages and as a center of monasticism, although both of these features were disrupted under Longsel Nyingpo (1625–1692).

 

Katog has 112 branch monasteries, not only in Tibet, but also in Mongolia, Inner China, Yunnan, and Sikkim. For instance, Katog Rigdzin Tsewang Norbu (1698-1755) founded a large branch in Sikkim, and when the Eighth Tai Situ Rinpoche, Situ Panchen Chokyi-jungney (1700-1744), visited China, he stayed at the Katog branch-monastery at the Five-Peaked Mountain of Manjushri Ch: Wutai Shan), to the southwest of Beijing.

 

Palpung Monatery

 

Palpung or The 8th Kenting Tai Situpa Chokyi Jugne founded the great Palpung monastery in 1727. “Pal” means glorious, “Pung” means to gather. For this reason the name Palpung, derived from the combination of the two words has been applied to the institution. Palpung means glorious union of study and practice.

 

Palpung Monastery is the seat of the succeeded Kenting Tai Situpas, the religious center of eastern Tibet, as well as the centre for living art and culture.

 

Palpung is the Karma Kagyu mother monastery in Eastern Tibet, and has more than 180 branch monasteries and temples throughout several Chinese and Tibetan districts. Students from these branch monasteries travel to Palpung Monastery to study ritual, art, retreat practices, and scholarly texts.

 

The current seat of the 12th Kenting Tai Situpa in India, palpung Sherabling, has been renamed Palpung Sherabling monastic seat.

 

The present 12th Kenting Tai Situpa also founded the Maitreya Institutes around the world, including branches in San Francisco, Paris, London and Honolulu. In this web site, Palpung monastery and Palpung Sherabling are presented.

 

Pelyul monastery

 

The Palyul Monastery was built by Lhachen Jampa Phuntsog, the first Dharma King of Dege. It was constructed on a site which possesses all the essential auspicious signs and had been blessed by the presence of many great Mahasiddhas. In a prophecy from the treasure revealer Sang-Ngag Lingpa, it is written of Pelyul, “The rocks clearly display self-originating images of Vajrapani as well as blue Hung syllables with radiating flames. Both the unsurpassed practice cave of Yeshe Tsogyal and the Secret Accomplishment cave of Padmasambhava are located there…At Namtsong rock [located in front of the Palyul monastery] thirteen secret termas have been concealed.”

In 1982 Penor Rinpoche returned to Pelyul for the first time after leaving Tibet. He visited the main Pelyul Monastery and many of its branch monasteries. Thousands came to received the blessings, empowerments and teachings which he bestowed. He ordained over 500 monks and made generous offerings to the members of the sangha. He also gave donations to support the reconstruction of the monastery.

 

Tachen Sumdo Natural Reserve

 

Cha Ching and more nature reserve which is located in the southeastern part of Baiyu County, founded in 1995, the geographical position is longitude 99 degrees 11 ‘~ 99 degrees 42′, between 30 degrees north latitude 33 ’31 degrees 06’, administration under Baiyu County, Ma Rong Xiang, an Zixiang, Natta Xiang and Atchafalaya Xiang. East Yinataxiang and Baiyu county and Xinlong county county community is bounded on the west to Ma Qu River to the west of the watershed is bounded, South to Baiyu county and Batang, Litang County, the county boundary is bounded, north to Ma Rong Xiang of collective forests and state forest boundary and if when the ditch and the Hapike watershed, about 56.5 kilometers north-south, east-west width of about 50.6 km, total area of 1436.826 square kilometers, the state-owned forest, the area without villagers living, is to protect the white lipped deer and other rare wild animals and plants in the forest and wild animal types of protected areas.

Cha Ching and more natural reserve in Ganzi Prefecture, the second largest glacier hemp Gongga, Natta Lake Black necked Crane Wetland Nature Reserve and youth Temple constitute Cha Ching and more ecological tourist area, the area in the world 25 biodiversity most abundant of the Hengduan Mountains area, for the protection of the world biological diversity is obviously typical significance. Minimum reserve 3600 meters above sea level, 5725 meters above sea level, the highest, the relative elevation of 2200 meters, resulting in complex terrain and diverse climate types, obvious vegetation vertical zone spectrum and various types of ecosystems (forests, grasslands, meadows, wetlands).

There are different animal species in the ecosystem, so that there is a high biological diversity. Inside the reserve forest original vegetation intact, the natural conditions suitable to dominated by white lipped deer eleven national level protection animal survival, is endemic to the Qinghai Tibet Plateau white lipped deer concentrated distribution area, quantity of more than 3000, accounting for more than two thirds of the world’s stock, reserve mountain Chuan Xiuli, Saga is colorful, the lake, such as Der Spiegel, fish Cheung shallow bottom, shade towering, flowers, fresh air, gladdens the heart, all kinds of rare birds and animals leisurely calm, differ in thousands of ways, is the natural ecological resources to implement sustainable development demonstration base.

Cha Ching and more natural protection area of the biological diversity of well preserved, a lot is a completely preserved primeval forest, shrub and meadow ecosystem, so here very value of natural protection. The source region of the Yangtze River, which is an important source of water conservation in the Yangtze River, is the main source of water conservation. Observe the dense pine forest ecosystem canopy layer, a thick fur is fresh and litter layer and humus rich soil and a large area of alpine meadow and wetland system so that it can conserve water sources, stable streamflows, thus the sustainable use of water resources has obvious effect.

The abundant animal species, which is a huge biological gene pool, has the reality and the potential economic value. The ecological system of the original and rich biological diversity, on the one hand can be for the development of ecological tourism, become the ecological, tourism, scientific exploration, leisure, exploration of tourist destination, for tourists to provide high levels of place to watch the natural scenery, so that visitors to watch the natural scenery at the same time, by the biodiversity and ecological knowledge of popular science education, on the other hand can also be provided for researchers and school students explore the nature and the biological diversity of base.

 

Yarchen Gar

 

Yarchen Gar or Yarchen Orgyan Samdanling is located in center grassland of Pelyul. It lies in an isolated valley 4000m above sea level. The monastery is associated with the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism . With more than 10,000 monks and nuns, it’s the largest concentration of nuns and monks in the world. And most of them are nuns. Yarchen Gar was established in 1985.

The abbot, Achuk Rinpoche is one of the senior most Nyingma masters in Tibet and he practices mainly Dzogchen. He teaches in both Tibetan and Chinese language and attracts students from all over China.

 

The Chief Abbot His Holiness Lama Achuk Rinpoche whose paranirvana occurred in 2011, was an incarnation of the great terton Longsal Nyingpo (1625-1682) of Kathok Monastery, who was an incarnation of Amitabha Buddha. He was the head of the Nyingma Sect in China and one the foremost great holinesses and sources of virtue in Tibet. Born in 1927 in Eastern Tibet, Lama Achuk Rinpoche spent 43 years in retreat with his master, Tulku Arik Rinpoche. As a realized Buddhist master, Achuk Rinpoche was regarded as one of the world’s great living exponents of the Great Perfection Teaching.

 

His Holiness Lama Achuk Rinpoche

 

17-Achuk H. H. Jamyang Lungdok Gyaltsen or Lama Achuk (Also referred to as Khenpo Achuck Brioche or Achiu Kamabu or Lama A-chos) is an incarnation of the great terton Rigdzin Longsal Nyingpo (1625-1682) of Kathok Monastery. He was the head of the Nyingma Sect in China and one the foremost sources of virtue and great holinesses within Tibet. He was born in 1927 in Trom in Eastern Tibet and spent 43 years in retreat with his master, Tulku Arik Rinpoche.

 

At the age of eighteen, his mother offered Lama Rinpoche to Chomgy Arik Rinpoche as a personal attendant. Chomgy Arik Rinpoche was a famous master who was recognized as an embodiment of Avalokiteshvara. Lama Rinpoche served Arik Rinpoche with Three Joys for forty-three years. Even in the extreme, difficult time during the famine and the great Cultural Revolution, he did not show any negligence towards his guru. He took over the hardships from his guru from time to time. He realised all the secret meanings in Buddha-dharma based on his root of virtues accumulated in his past lives and more importantly, full faith in his guru.

 

In 1985, Lama Rinpoche established Yachen Gar (Yachen Orgyen Meditation Monastery) in Changtai District, Pelyul County of East Tibet, in an isolated valley near Ganzi (Kandze). It is named “ Meditation Monastery” as it concentrates on real practice.

 

In the early stage of its establishment, there were only around a dozen disciples studying at Yachen Gar. Lama Rinpoche gave them teachings such as Ngondro (the Preliminary Practices), six Bardo Inductions, Longsal Inductions and Yeshe Lama. His disciples were required to practice four sessions of meditation on Trekchod and Togyal teachings of the Dzogchen Oral Instruction every day. His holiness then took the disciples to see Chomgy Arik Rinpoche to test the results of their practice. Arik Rinpoche praised that they had all recognized their primordial awareness, or Rigpa. From then on His Holiness and Yachen Gar became renowned throughout the world. Disciples started to gather in Yachen Gar from everywhere in Tibet and China in pursuit of such sublime teachings. As the Sangha assembly expanded very quickly, Lama Rinpoche commanded that the monks and nuns live separately along the riverbanks and strictly abiding by the Individual Liberation Precepts. Although famous for its concentration on meditation practice, extensive listening and contemplation are also advocated in Yachen Gar and meditation practice must be guided with understanding of the Dharma gained from listening and contemplation. Even when in his eighties, Lama Rinpoche still kept giving teachings. Blessed by the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in the pure land of Uddiyana, guided by His Holiness Jamyang Lungtok Gyaltsen, also due to the disciples’ own clean good roots inherited from previous lives, more and more disciples have revealed signs of attaining the ultimate realization and inconceivable achievements in this sacred place where numerous sublime conditions are met. Khenchen Jigme Phuntsog praised many times.

 

“Yachen Gar is a unique place for the transmission of Dzogchen teachings.” Although His Holiness has been recognized as a perfectly enlightened master and renowned throughout the world, he outlined a small part of his achievements to his disciples in order to improve their faith:

 

 

Beri Monastery

 

Beri Monastery is a Buddhist monastery located in Kardze County Also known as Hor Kardze, it is an important centre of the historic region known as Trehor, originally consisting of five ancient Hor kingdoms. Trehor belongs to the wider region historically called Kham, comprising eastern Tibetan areas sharing cultural and linguistic ties.

Beri Monastery is located west of Kardze town, along the road leading to Dege town. It was founded in the 17th century, in the wider vicinity of a number of much older temples, Beri was built on the site of an older hermitage known as Gela Daden. The monastery was enlarged in the 18th century by a local doctor called Ngawang Yeshe. The Sixth Panchen Lama Lobsang Panden Yeshe (1738-1780) consecrated the extended chapel, Ngawang Yeshe became the first Geta  Lama, an incarnation line that still continues today. Beri is a typical monastic complex with a main building containing assembly space and chapels, surrounded by residential buildings and a kitchen contained within a boundary wall. The main building has four different floor levels, and is built with rammed earth walls around a timber frame. It consists of two distinct parts, a 16-pillar Maitreya chapel and a 24-pillar assembly hall with a skylight. There is also a small protector chapel on the ground floor. The upper floors contain a library, more chapels, sitting rooms and a kitchen.

 

Litang

 

Nigong Monastery (Rengo Monastery)

This Nigong Monastery is one of the oldest Karmapa Monasteries in Tibetan regions. It was first built in 1164AD and was worshiped by many Tibetans. It is located at the heart of Mount Genyen in the Gamula Valley east to the peak of Genyen. It is a small monastery with grey walls and red roof standing on the rock. At the elevation of 4150 meters, Nigong Monastery is rarely known by the outside and it is a meditation place for Tibetan monks and a pilgrimage destination of Mount Genyen.

 

Mt Genyen

 

Situated at Litang, the Holy Mt. Genyen is the main Peak Shaluli Shan and as high as 6,204 meters above sea level. All through the ages many Buddhist hierarchs had come over to practice at this mountain; hence the name Genyen meaning meditator in Tibetan. In 1169, Dusum Khyenpa the founder of the Karma Kagyu established Lenggu Monastery in this mountain. At present, the hand trace of the first Karmapa still remains on the rock behind the monastery. The murals in the temple tell us the legends of every peak of the holy mountain. In the caves, which are densely distributed around mountain, the monks still reside and keep on practicing. Around Genyen, there are dozens of peaks above 5,000 meters. With bare rocks and precipitous cliffs, the Genyen Peak is capper with snow all year round. On the mountain slopes are the plateau wild forests, closely connecting with grasslands and shrubs. In the vast valley are winding streams and dense swamps and grassy marshland. Every summer, moisture-laden winds bring rain and snow after being blocked by Mount Genyen. The snow and ice on the mountains act as a massive store of water, releasing snowmelt that nourishes the 2,000-year-old Kham civilization.

 

Litang Monastery

 

Litang or Ganden Thubchen Choekhorling Monastery is just on the slope 1km north of town and belongs to the Gelukpa Tibetan Buddhisms. Founded in 1580 by the 3rd Dalai Lama Sonam Gyatso. It is one of the most important monasteries in Kham. It is located at the northern suburb of Litang on a mountain side. Its massive complex of construction and delicate architectural technology make itself famous in northern Kham. As most of the other monasteries, it is also a collection of art works including pagodas, statues and many Tibetan books. Its sublime architecture and time-honored sacredness are known by the Kham Tibetans. Every year in July, there will be a big celebration at this monastery to worship god and pray for peace.

 

Chöde Gaden Pendeling Monastery

 

The Gelugpa Chöde Gaden Pendeling Monastery is located at the southwestern end of town near the bank of Batang River. The Chöde Pendling Monastery comprises of dramatic structures is encompassed by a high white wall, and nestled within beautiful willow and cypress trees. Similar to the Litang Monastery, Batang’s Monastery also boasts two huge golden roofs and a number of towers. The Chöden Gaden Monastery houses about 1300 to 1700 monks or lamas and is constantly thronged by priests who come in for pilgrimage. Every year, around the 26th of the ninth Tibetan month, a performance of colorful cham dances is held near the bank of River Batang which is attended by lamas as well as the town’s residents.

 

Chagdud Monastery

 

Chagdud Monastery also known as Chagdud Orgyen Ling is a Nyingma monastery, subsidiary to Kathok Monastery, founded in 1291, in Nyarong, Kham, by Chöjé Drutsa Gangwa Tsondru Bum from Kathok Monastery.

 

The monastery was severely damaged during the ‘Yarlung’ war, so in 1491 Chagdud Sherab Gyaltsen, the first Chagdud incarnation, built a new, larger monastery. Chagdud, which means “iron knot,” originates from the fact that Sherab Gyaltsen folded iron into knots with bare hands. Chagdud became the name of that particular place in Nyarong. Above the monastery is Khawa Lungri, an important power-place associated with Padmasambhava.

 

Bangphu Monastery

 

In 12th century, Dusum Kyenpa, then a Great Friar with Boundless Beneficence of Samadhi ceased his religious wandering at Daocheng, where he built his first monastery named Bangphu(riverside)and stayed there for years, teaching, practising Buddhism. One day he asked his disciples: ‘Do you want me to remain here or leave a statue of my own instead?’ The disciples believed later or sooner their master would come into Nirvana, so they chose the latter. Today the self-statue is still placed there, which is a perfect model of the Buddhist master at the age of 84(the year when he died).

 

Yading Nature Reserve

 

Honored as the “last pure land on our blue planet”, Daocheng Yading Nature Reserve was first introduced to the world when the famous American adventurer Joseph F. Rock published an article and photographs of Daocheng in the National Geographic in 1928. “Where in all the world is to be found scenery comparable to that which awaits the explorer and photographer!”, he wrote. The snow-capped mountains, steep cliffs, crystal clear lakes, vast pastures, as well as the dense woods compose a harmonious utopian land. Inside the Yading Nature Reserve are the 3 holy mountains of Chenresig, rising to 6,032 meters, Chana Dorje and Jampelyang, which both rise to 5,958 meters. These 3 snow-capped peaks sit in a triangle formation with forested valleys, clear rivers, glacier-fed lakes and abundant wildlife between them. The Tibetan name for Yading is “Nyiden”, which means “facing the sun”.The local Tibetan name for the area around the 3 holy mountains is “Rigsum Gonpo”. In Tibetan, the names of the mountains mean “Wisdom” (Jampelyang), “Power” (Chana Dorje) and “Compassion” (Chenresig). This region was designated as a nature reserve in the late 1990’s.

 

Mt. Chenrezig

 

Mt. Chenrezig (Xiannairi), with an altitude of 19,790 feet (6,032 meters), is the highest peak in Daocheng County. The whole peak takes the shape of an honorable Buddha who is leaning back. The Buddha, often regarded as the Bodhisattva of Mercy, sits in a lotus seat, with a giant pagoda in her arms. When the sun shines, the whole mountain is draped in a veil of golden light, presenting a really magnificent view. Waterfalls arising from snow-capped peaks rush down the hillside. Grasses, lakes, and forests display the mountain at its best. Pearl Lake (Zhenzhu Hai), at the foot of Chenrezig, and believed to be the cosmetic mirror of fairies, is an excellent spot to admire the mountain. On sunny days, you can see the reflection of Chenrezig on the lake surface.

 

Mt. Jambeyang (Yangmaiyong) has an elevation of 19,547 feet (5,958 meters) and presents a holy, white appearance, very much like a pure and dignified maiden. From a distance, the lofty peak towers up into the clouds, as if the Bodhisattva of Wisdom is pointing at the sky with a sharp sword.

 

Described by Joseph F. Rock as a huge bat spreading its wings and the God of Thunder in Greek mythology, Mt. Chanadorje (Xianuoduoji) rises against the skyline. As high as Mt. Jambeyang, it is in the shape of a triangular pyramid, grand and precipitous, just like a handsome young man.

 

Derong County Seat Songmai

 

Derong county, located southwest of Sichuan, 1030km to Chengdu, and 144km to Zhongdian, Yunnan province, Hengduan Mountain area. The complex geological formations of the Hengduan Mountain Range and of the plateau have given the area its unique geographical features, characterized by range upon range of tall mountains and deep valleys, numerous crossing rivers. Derong, in Tibetan, mean gorge or canyon, the Yarlung Tsampo Grand Canyon. So, there are serveral rivers such as Jinsha, Dingqu (Dingchu), Suoqu (Sochu), Maye and Gangqu (Kanchu) within less than 3000sq kms,alt from1990M to 5545M, county seat Songmai township 2420M,   and with its various attractives, different scene from one another. Song & Dance style as: Xianzi in the north as in Palyu county, Xueqiang in the south, the robust Nine-step Guozhuang, the Reba, Zanie etc, all full of life and typically Tibetans.

 

 

Mayi Gorge & Momgou Valley Nature Reaerve

 

Mayi gorge is charming and graceful, no transportation to be there but only horse riding. There are many lakes, waterfalls with natural scenery and grassland.

 

Xiayong (Shayong) Nature Reserve

40km to the county seat, and also to  be there by horse riding or trekking, located area around Sochu river after entering Sochu Gorge. This fairyland holds 10 lakes, many snowy  peak, grassy marshlands, primitive forests, waterfalls,  glaciers and rare mountain animals with Tibetan wooden houses dotted around. The famous and most attractive as: Burogatsong Snowy Peak, Damenri (Tamshi) Holy Mountain, Cirencuo Holy Lake (Qirentso) with length 1000M+ width 500M and alt 3900M, Cuolancuo Lake (Tsonantso) alt 4000M and Yanggongcuo (Yamkongtso) alt 4100M, Yangliecuo (Yamnytso) lake alt 4100M,   Lanzirong with its mountains around and a little lake, Langlong Valley about 10kms with its primitive forests, Selazha (Seratsa) Limestone Caverns.

 

Gajin (Kyachen) Snow Mountain

 

Located at the northwestern of and 40km to  Songmai town, alt 4921M, and there are Front Gajin Mountain and Back Gajin Mountain, between them is the grassland for Tibetan herding with its tent dotted among the snowy mountains, forests, grass, and herds.

 

Wenjia (Wingkya) Monastery and Holy Mountain.

 

Wenjia Mountain regarded as a holy place in Tibetan Buddhism, legends say that there lees the golden key which can open the gates of 108 holy shrines in the Tibetan-inhabited areas, the peak about 4769M, and many prayers be there trekking round the holy mountain for their pilgrimage. Wenjia monastery is built against a limestone cavern half way up the mountain slope, probably the only temple architecture of such design as it merged into this holy mountain, with a spring in the cavern gushing all year round which is believed to be sacred water and pilgrims drinking, watering for the good fortune, in the stone cliff of the main temple are hundreds of natural charaters as “Wen” in Tibetan.

 

Longrong Monastery.

 

One of the 13major monasteries of the Yellow sect in thd Kham area, located in Rilong township, its featured wooden and clay carvings with vivid Falun, figure etc, covers about 10 hectoares and houses 500 monks with 10000 volumes of Buddhist scriptures. and its affiliated monasteries more than 12. In the Tibetan New Year, it holds the Sorcerers’ Dance ceremony to drive away evil spirits, eliminate disasters and pray for good fortune, many Tibetans come to attend the ceremony which goes on for three days and nights. In day time devoted to watching the sorcerers’ dance and night time Gala parties with singing and dancing and lots of drinking of wine with buttered tea.

 

 

Mt Kawa Kharpo

 

Kawa Kharpo is located at the junction of the Jinsha( golden sand), Lancang and Nu rivers(the junction itself is a world heritage site listed by UNESCO). Famous for its lofty and mysterious magnificence, Tibetans regard it as sacred and each year in autumn Tibetan pilgrims come from near and far to soak up the spiritual aura of the Mountain. Tibetans believe that Mount Kawa Kharpo represents the mind emanation of the Lord Buddha, whereas Mount Khailash in Western Tibet represents the body and Mt Tsari in Central Tibet represents the speech. So, every fall countless pilgrims come from all over Tibet, Sichuan, Qinghai and Gansu to circumambulate the mountain, imbibe its spiritual aura and pay homage to the mountain god for a period of no less than seven days.

As one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Tibet, Kawakharpo tops the list of the Eight Holy Mountains. Legend has it that it is the incarnation of Kagebo, the patron god of the Kagyul sect of Tibetan Buddhism, who became a Buddhist general and helped the local people to drive evil away. Statues of the god riding a white horse with a long sword in his hands are often enshrined on mountain altars and Buddhist scriptures reveal his exploits in colorful stories.

 

At 6,740 meters above sea level, it is the tallest mountain in the entire Yunnan province and has never been scaled, despite numerous attempts since 1902 by experienced English, Chinese and Japanese climbers. It’s one of those rarities in today’s global village, a virgin peak. Precipitous cliffs, frequent avalanches, thick fogs, dense clouds, heavy rain and sudden storms have so far kept mountaineers from reaching the top, and added greatly to its legendary mystery.

 

Nanwu Monastery

 

Nanwu monastery is the most active monastery in the area with around 80 lamas in residence. Set in the west of town on the northern bank of the river, it affords good views of Dartsendo (Kangding) and the valley.

 

Mt Minya Konka

 

Mt Minya Konka also known as Mt Gongga, is the highest mountain in Datsedo of Kham Tibet region. It is also known to locals as “The King of Sichuan Mountains”. Situated in the Big snow mountain range, between Dadu River and Yalong River, part of the Hengduan mountainous region, Mount Gongga is the easternmost 7,000 metres (23,000 ft) peak in the world and the third highest peak outside of the Himalaya/Karakoram, after Tirich Mir and Kongur Tagh.

 

The peak has large vertical relief over the deep nearby gorges.According to an early remote measurement of the mountain, then called Bokunka, was performed by the expedition of Graf Béla Széchenyi 1877-80. They came to a height of 7600 meter. 45 years later the mountain, this time called Gang ka, was sketched by missionary J. H. Edgar, again from remote.

 

Lhagong Monastery

 

Minyak Pel Lhagang Monastery is a Sakya monastery located in Lhagang village, Dartsedo, in the Minyak region in Kham (East Tibet). Lhagang Monastery is regarded as one of the most famous monasteries in the region, mainly due to the Jowo statue kept there, which many believe is of equal importance to the Jowo statue in Lhasa.

 

Mt Zhara Lhatse

 

Zhara Lhatse is the highest mountain in Minyak region of Kham. And It has an elevation of 5820m. And the unique sharp pointed shape made the Mt Zhara Lhatse itself more beauty and holy.  This mountain is also strongly connected with the stories of Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava).

Lhagang is surrounded by five holy mountains : Chenresig, Jambayang, Chana Dorje and Drolma, and to the north, the snow mountain called Zhara.Because it is surrounded by these holy mountains, it is a special and blessed place.

 

Kham Tawo’s Unique Tibetan Houses

 

Kham Tawo would steal the attention of tourists or any visitors by the Tibetan style architecture of residential houses of the town. The general structure of Tawo residential house is as follows. The general structure of the house is very strict and solid, and is therefore resistant of earthquake. a kind of wood decoration with which the house seems more steady and luxurious. The rooms are also decorated with wood in different patterns and angles. The components of the house include the sitting room, repository, scripture chanting room, kitchen, bedroom, corridor, balcony, and toilet. On the walls, door, girders, and pillars are exquisite and classic Tibetan frescos. The windows of the rooms are carved with images of dragon, phoenix, crane, and kylin. There are two big rings of copper chimera enchased on the door of each room, Standing inside, you will feel you are in a multicolored place with lively and vigorous dragon, phoenix, crane, and kylin. The fantastic paintings, carvings, and frescos in the rooms display with force the paradise of Tibetan  art. The wonderful paintings of birds, flowers, beasts, dragons, phoenix, and the auspicious colorful clouds will leave you a deep impression. Each picture has a beautiful and moving story. Moreover, there are various adornments and Tibetan furniture adding radiance to each other, presenting the grandness of a palace. The most sacred part of Tibetan house is mediation room. The room is decorated with Thangka and colorful lights twinkling all over the room. Inside the habitacle facing the door of the room sits a Buddhist sculpture. It is accompanied by colorful butter flowers in full blossom.

The residential houses of Tawo people have reflected in a comprehensive manner the rich ethnic culture of Tawo, the local customs, and unique flavor of life.

 

Garthar Shambaling

 

Garthar Shambaling is a Gelukpa tradition monastry. Located some 11km north from Bamei township by the road that connects to Danba; This monastery was built by 7th Dalai lama in the 18th century, he also spent 7 years in this monastery for his meditation.