Tag: Kham

Xinduqiao

Xinduqiao ( ར་རྔ་ཁ།) is a small busy Tibetan town in the Wild West of Sichuan. It is a two-hour drive (81 kilometers) from Kangding city and roughly a one-hour drive from Kangding airport. Xinduqiao is an impressive 3,300 meters above sea level and lies along the Sichuan-Tibet 318 National Highway.

A Mix of Tibetan cultures

Ninety percent of denizens are Kham Tibetan. Xinduqiao is a unique blend of grassland and farmland, meaning it is a mixture of two distinct subsets of Tibetan culture—nomad and farmer. But in the last ten years, a new industry has exploded and has changed the face of Xinduqiao: tourism. Hotels, guesthouses, restaurants, and bars now line the main artery through town. Other small business selling Tibetan handicrafts, clothing, and souvenirs have popped up on the back of the tourism wave. The two-or-so-kilometer stretch of new businesses and hotels bustles with noise and activity—a very new vibe from a town whose nightlife for millennia has consisted mostly of yak noises under quiet starlight.

A Paradise for landscape Artists

Xinduqiao is recognized as “paradise for photographers and painters”. The best time to travel Xinduqiao is from May to November. On the Tibetan plateau, the summer months are green and the weather is pleasantly warm. Billions of flowers are in full bloom. Locals set up tents and picnic on the grassland to enjoy the weather and community life. In the Fall, the trees, the grass, and the barley change color. Everything is decorated in shades of gold and auburn. Breathtaking. Meanwhile, Tibetans are busy in the fields gathering in the harvest.

Sun Raising In Xinduqiao

Be Prepared for All Seasons

Weather can change quickly on the Tibetan plateau and it’s hard to depend on the forecast. Therefore, we encourage you to bring a versatile range of suitable clothing for your adventure. The sun can be very intense, and the temperature can drop rapidly when it’s raining.

An Insider Recommendation

There are many guesthouses and commercial hotels with cheap and reasonable prices. But if you want a 5-star experience, we don’t think anything compares with the Gongkar Dzong Castle Lodge. It has a perfect view of Mt. Gongga and the surrounding area, because it is perched atop a small hill off of the main road in town.

Road From Xinduqiao to Tagong

A Short Drive to Tagong

If you want more a nomad grassland experience, catch a ride up to Tagong, only 35 kilometers away to the north. There are many interesting places around Tagong to explore: the renowned Tagong monastery, the Golden Pagoda, and the Tashi Nunnery. The Tashi Nunnery houses more than 500 nuns and nestles on a hillside next to an impressively large Mani stone temple. In Tagong town, people offer horse riding for visitors starting at the Golden Pagoda.

June 18, 2019
Zhilam Hostel

Zhilam Hostel is perched on a hillside above the city of Kangding, offering amazing views of Kangding town and the local mountains. After a short and invigorating climb (or taxi ride) up the narrow, winding road to the guesthouse, you will find this haven of coziness and hospitality a welcome reprieve from the bustling town below.
Zhilam Hostel

Zhilam means “the path of peace” in Tibetan. The hostel is a place of peace and rest where travellers soon begin to feel like family. The owners, an American family, fell in love with Tibet and Tibetan people when they first traveled to Tibet. Kris and Stephanie dreamed of having a home in Tibet where they could welcome visitors into the mysterious and beautiful world of Tibet. Through passion and years of hard work, their dream has become a reality. For 12 years now, thousands of travelers from around the world have found themselves adopted by this generous family, many of which have extended their stay in Kangding just to enjoy an extra day or two of peace and rest in this hidden sanctuary. In Sep, 2019 Kris and Stephanie sold their business to a local Tibetan guy- Gongbu as local government enforced a law that foreigners are not allowed to run business within 300 meters of a government building. Zhilam Hostel is within 300 meters of a government building. Now, the owner of Zhilam Hostel is different but the staff and services are as same as usual.

The Yard of Zhilam Hostel

The helpful and friendly staff are all locals, and they are happy to share their immense knowledge about the town and surrounding areas. All of them speak good Tibetan, Chinese and English. Their eagerness to offer advice and suggestions makes it easy for guests to find great hiking, beautiful scenery, and delicious local Tibetan food! They go out of their way to help arrange transportation for a good price as well.

You’ll find a diverse menu that includes delicious western and local Tibetan foods, great desserts, special drinks, and even imported beer. For dinner, potato and yak meat momos, yak meat pizza, and moroccan lentil soup are all some of our favorite options. They serve breakfast starting at 8:00am. The yak yogurt with homemade granola and western-style eggs and toast are among the most popular items first thing in the morning.

Kris and Stephanie are also passionate about supporting and promoting other local businesses, as well as featuring locally made handicraft products in their hostel. If you are interested in Tibetan handicrafts, simply ask the staff for an introduction to the various items on display. In addition, Zhilam Hostel has an extensive library of books that you can borrow to read, or you can watch a movie in their cozy movie room downstairs.

Inside Zhilam Hostel

Rooms are very clean, comfortable and nice. You have the option of staying in a private room with a big bed and ensuite bathroom/shower, or staying in a clean and quaint dorm with shared bathroom facilities. Each room is designed with local Tibetan characteristics, and the beds are very comfortable.

Zhilam hostel is the perfect place if you are looking for Tibetan decor, comfortable and clean rooms for a reasonable price, fresh coffee, and delicious food.

Contact info:

Address: Bai Tuo Kan area, Kangding County 626000, China

Phone: 0836-2831100

Website: http://zhilamhostel.com

地址：白土坎村藏族自治州宗教事务局附近

电话：0836-2831100

January 16, 2017
Jiachu’s Homestay

In the shadow of the famous Konka Mountain, lies the Yulongxi Village. It is in this majestic setting that one can find Jiachu’s Homestay. The owner, Jiachu, has spent his entire life in the Kham Tibetan Region, making him a local expert.
It all started one day when Jiachu was asked to drive to his hometown by a few Chinese tourists, so he invited them to stay with his family and provided them with a sample of the local food. This small opportunity stirred up Jiachu’s idea of opening a homestay for tourists. As Jiachu shared this idea with these tourists, they expressed their support for it, and later, in 2004 they began recommending their friends to his homestay. Jiachu has been running the homestay with his family for more than 10 years now. He was the first person to open a homestay in the whole valley.

From one person to small amounts of travelers, Jiachu offers the accommodations of a Tibetan family.

In the beginning Jiachu had just a few beds on his floor for tourists, but now there are 5 different rooms for guests to choose from. Jiachu has also since built a public shower room and nice toilet for his guests. Now, Jiachu is planning to expand his homestay by building guest rooms with their own private bathrooms.

Get the feel for a Tibetan house, full of colorful walls and carpet.

Jiachu is very passionate about showing his hometown to friends from all over the world. He welcomes people to stay with his family at his cozy and comfortable home, and he is happy to share local food with people, especially his favorite dishes. It is always nice being with local Tibetans to experience their authentic culture. He also provides trekking trips, and he supports his neighbors and friends by hiring them and their horses for the journeys.

As more tourists visit his hometown, environmental protection has begun to get his attention. Jiachu has started working with a few organizations to educate local people about protecting the beautiful landscape that they call home. Jiachu has gained a lot of experience and benefits by running his homestay business, so he shared his experience with other people in the valley. Since starting his homestay, there are now 6 homestays in the valley as others have followed his lead.

Whether you wish to trek Konka Mountain, or simply want to wake up to a stunning view, Jiachu’s Homestay could be the quiet resting place you are looking for.

Contact Info:

地址：四川省甘孜州康定县贡嘎山乡玉龙西村。

电话：13778391377.

Address: Yulongxi Village, Gongga Township, Kangding County, Ganzi Prefecture, Sichuan Provine.

Phone: 13778391377

May 31, 2016
Tashi’s Homestay

Tashi’s Homestay is in the Pengbuxi village, of the Minya area in the Kham region. From the deck off of your room, you can relax with the beverage of your choice and enjoy the view of surrounding mountains and valleys. Peaceful is the word that pops to mind. Wandering the streets of this village you know you have gotten off of the beaten track, and are witnessing the normal, daily life of the locals.
Tashi himself is a local farmer and a very outgoing man. He is the father of two kids, and proud grandfather of two granddaughters. His entire family is involved in farming.

In Pengbuxi, farming is a way of life. The local people in Tashi’s area predominantly grow barley, as this is one of the main foods in Tibet. Tashi’s family’s income comes in part from picking caterpillar fungus. While he used to rely heavily on selling the fungus, there are only 3 months of the year when the fungus can be harvested, so it doesn’t make for a very steady income throughout the year. As a result, the family often turned to other things to make money during the remainder of the year.

One such venture that Tashi undertook was to buying a vehicle. He bought a car because his village is in the valley that goes to Minya Konka Mountain, attracting a lot of tourists. As a result, Tashi’s main clientele were tourists. After driving tourists around for a while, he found that there was also a demand for tourist to experience local Tibetan culture through a homestay, so Tashi began receiving and welcoming tourists to his home.

Some of the accommodations provided by Tashi and his family

Tashi has been running the homestay for a few years now, and he has been receiving positive and encouraging feedback from his guests. Previously, the homestay was very basic, but he has since built a new house and bathroom two years ago. Now clients have access to hot showers and a western toilet.

Mountains surround the Pengbuxi village, so while you visit, you can go hiking and enjoy the beautiful landscape that the Minya area has to offer. If you want to try your hand, you can offer to help Tashi and his family in their daily farming activities. While you stay, sample some of the local flavors that Tibetan food has to offer.

Come and hang out with Tashi’s family and learn more about the Tibetan culture

So far, Tashi’s homestay is the only homestay in the whole valley, but villagers are being influenced by him, with some even hoping that they too can open their own homestay and start small business. Tashi hopes that more and more people can continue to visit his hometown and stay with his family.

If you are looking for an authentic Tibetan homestay experience and find yourself in the Minya area, consider Tashi’s Homestay as a place to rest your wandering feet.

Contact Info:

地址：康定县朋布西乡朵让村

电话：159-8374-3209

Address: Duorang Village, Pengbu Township, Kangding County, Ganzi Prefecture.

Phone: 159-8374-3209

May 31, 2016
Tenpa’s Homestay

In the quiet little Tibetan village of Duorang, travellers can find Tenpa’s Homestay. The namesake – Tenpa – is from the Kham Minya area. Tenpa studied English for few years, so he speaks fluent English, Chinese, and Tibetan. He has been working as a guide and driver in the Kham Tibetan region for more than 7 years, and his experience shows. Unlike others in the area, Tenpa and his wife do not have farmland, so their income comes not from farming, but curious travellers. Tenpa is a very outgoing, humorous, and positive person, meaning those who travel with him have a lot of fun.
Tenpa’s village is on the way to the mountain of Minya Konka. A new road was built through his hometown two years ago, allowing more and more tourist to come to Tenpa’s hometown to visit the mountain.

Come, stay and relax in the common area.

Tenpa wants tourists to experience the culture and customs of Tibet. In 2015, Tenpa opened a homestay with his wife – Tenzin Zhuoga. Together, Tenpa and his wife run the homestay for their guests. There are about 20 beds in the homestay, all of which are very clean and comfortable. There is also a big living room in the home. With a fireplace in the middle of the room, travellers can come and sit by a fire with Tenpa’s family and cozily sip some yak butter tea, a must have while anywhere in Tibet.

Learn more about the Tibetan culture by chatting with the family.

If you are planning a trip to Minya Konka, or find yourself wandering through the Kham Minya area, consider paying a visit to Tenpa and his family at their homestay.

Contact Info:

地址：康定县朋布西乡朵让村

电话：15983739877

Address: Duorang Village, Pengbu Township, Kangding County, Ganzi Prefecture.

Phone: 1598373 9877

May 31, 2016
Bala Clothing Store

Wandering into Bala Clothing Store, one will find exquisite garments in traditional Tibetan style designed by Deqing who is from a small village in the Kham Minya Region. She received her bachelor’s degree at Northwest University for Nationalities where she majored in English. After she graduated from college, Deqing worked in a NGO where she was in charge of program sponsorship. Through this NGO, Deqing helped many students with their tuition, ensuring students could go on to further their education. Later on, she started her first small business.
Deqing opened a bar in the town of Kangding with her husband. It wasn’t all smooth sailing for their business though, as they faced several challenges over time. Deqing’s business went through periods where it had its ups and downs, to the point where money was in short supply. While Deqing’s bar is no longer in operation, she didn’t give up on her dream of being an entrepreneur.

Enterance to the Bala Clothing store

Deqing is very passionate about Tibetan culture, and she enjoys designing clothing. So as one with a true entrepreneurial spirit, Deqing started again. This time though, she opened a clothing shop.

At the beginning Bala Clothing Shop was a small, but through hard work and persistence, Deqing has expanded it to a shop of quite a notable size.

Deqing is a very active entrepreneur. She attends a lot of different workshops to study and share her experience of running small businesses. She is also active in charity, and continues to find ways to help Tibetan students with their tuition.

If you are stopping in Kangding, pay a visit to Bala store, to marvel at the traditional Tibetan dresses and clothing that she has designed. Who knows? Maybe you will look good in it, and find yourself going home with a beautiful, locally designed, traditional dress, or unique piece of jewelry.

Some of the merchandise sold at Bala Clothing

Contact Info:

地址：甘孜州康定市光明路，芭拉店。

电话: 13320796088

Address: Guangming Road, Kangding City Town, Ganzi Prefecture.

Phone: 13320796088

May 31, 2016
Sok Bo Tibetan Hostel

On a hillside above the town of Xinduqiao, Sok Bo Tibetan Hostel is open to receiving travelers who wish to explore the Kham Tibetan Region.
Tsering Lamo (the owner) used to work for a hostel as a chef, and it was there that she learned a lot about running a business and customer service. Tsering enjoys serving and welcoming guests from all over the world.

Tsering had the dream of being an entrepreneur when she was in high school. She thought that she wouldn’t have very much time to be with her family if she worked for others, but as an entrepreneur she would have a lot of time and freedom to be with her family. As an entrepreneur, Tesring would also get to enjoy doing something that she is very passionate about and is interested in.

With such a vast amount of color in one place, it is no wonder the Tibetan culture is so beautiful.

Tsering thinks that it is very meaningful to gain a lot of different life experiences. So in March in 2015, she decided to open a hostel on her own in her hometown. Currently, there are many guest houses in her hometown, but she is the only local business owner.

If you choose to stay at Sok Bo Tibetan Hostel, you will not only enjoy the beautiful view from the rooms, but also the local Tibetan food and flavors. While there, you could try Yak meat pizza or hamburgers, if your taste buds are up for the adventure. Tsering is a very outgoing girl, and if you ask nicely, she might even teach you some of the local Tibetan style dancing if you are interested in testing your coordination! There are also a variety of handcrafted pieces Tsering could show you to buy, made by the locals, which might serve as a reminder of your trip for years to come.

Feeling adventurous? Try the yak meat pizza while staying at Sok Bo Tibetan Hostel.

Tsering has gone through some difficult moments, but she always faces them with her determination and positive attitude. Now, she has three staff and a few volunteers. Her dream of being an entrepreneur came true, but she is not satisfied with it just yet. Tsering dreams big. She wants to help poor Tibetan students with their school tuition and others who can’t afford their medical bills, through the success of her business. Tsering desires to be a good example of female entrepreneurship, and wants to encourage other women who have similar dreams as her.

Contact Info:

康定市新都桥镇藏文中学后面高尔寺佛学院下面318国道2919处.

电话：135-6867-8805

Address: Behind of Xinduqiao Tibetan Middle School or Near by National Road 318, Kangding County.

Phone: 135-6867-8805

May 30, 2016
Malaya Tibetan Restaurant

The Malaya Tibetan Restaurant was founded in 2006. Located in the heart of the town of Kangding, it is the oldest and best Tibetan Restaurant in town. The restaurant is run by a young and knowledgeable Tibetan guy – Xirao – who is from Minyak, in the Kham region. Xirao received his education in China, and he speaks fluent Tibetan, Chinese, and English. He is passionate about Tibetan culture, especially culture that is shown through food.
Inside the Malaya Tibetan Restaurant

Inside Malaya, the decorations are very beautiful and unique. In order to give clients a healthy and comfortable environment, Xirao renovated the restaurant in 2014. There are 14 staff at the restaurant, all of whom are Tibetan. The Malaya restaurant has been providing job opportunities to young, local Tibetans, which has been accompanied by providing the necessary training to see their staff continue to grow. The staff welcome their diners with enthusiasm, and they are always happy to provide the best food and service to their customers.

Inside the restaurant, there are 5 different private rooms, and a large dining hall which can hold more than 100 people. Such a large dining room allows them to offer the space for large parties and events. Malaya has a beautiful view which is complemented with the delicious food and Tibetan music. While visiting Malaya, try their Tibetan butter tea or local Tibetan wines. As a result of Malaya’s enjoyable food and their quality of the service, the restaurant was recognized in 2015 as the “most unique local restaurant” by the local tourist administration.

Contact Info:

地址：康定水井电梯公寓6楼。

电话：0836-2877111

Address: Shui Jing Apartment 6 Floor, Kangding City Town, Ganzi Prefecture, Sichuan Province.

Phone: 0836-2877111

May 30, 2016
Garze (Ganzi)

Lying in the vast expanse of the beautiful Ganzi Valley (甘孜) at an altitude of 3,800 meters, surrounded by the majestic Chola Mountain, green hills dotted with yaks and rocky ridges, is the active Ganzi town. Ganzi town (also known as Garnze, Ganze, and Kandze (དཀར་མཛེས་རྫོང་།)) is the capital of Ganzi County situated in Garze Autonomous Prefecture in western Sichuan Province of China. The town, about 385 kilometers northwest from Kangding town, overlooks the stunning snow-peaked mountains of Minya Konka (Mt. Gongga / Gongga Shan) range and has Rongcha River passing through it.

Ganzi Town

The lively market town is populated by a majority of Tibetan people, and is an interesting area in terms of landscape and culture as it is traditionally part of the Kham Tibetan region. The town radiates a strong sense of Tibetan tradition and culture as tough Khampas (the name given to the people of Kham) and yaks can be seen roaming around town. The main intersection is crowded with people, trucks, cabs, motorcycles, and even a few horses. A central street in the town is Chuanzang Road, which is lined with small shops selling traditional Tibetan clothing, jewelry and others accessories. There are also shops that display antiques, traditional Tibetan hand-carved furniture, as well as monk’s garments, and religious artefacts. The town also features modern supermarkets selling food, beer, Chinese wine, music CDs, and DVDs.

Ganzi Monastery

Ganzi Monastery, known as Ganzi Gompa in Tibetan, is found at the north of the town and belongs to the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. This large monastery was built in 1642 by Mongols after they took control of the area. During the Chinese Revolution, the monastery was partially destroyed, but was later rebuilt in Han Chinese style with white tiles and plastic window panes.

Therefore, when compared with other monasteries, Ganzi Monastery has lost its original Tibetan charm and is now a fusion of Tibetan and Chinese architecture. With over 1,500 monks, the Ganzi Monastery is the largest Gelugpa religious site besides the Litang and Chamdo Monasteries in the Kham region. The halls and terraces of the monastery offer amazing views of the surrounding beautiful valley with its lofty hills and the bustling Ganzi town.

This 540-year old monastery is adorned with a considerable amount of gold. The walls of the grand main hall are lined with hundreds of small golden Buddha statues (Sakyamunis) while an inspiring, large statue of Jampa (Maitreya or Future Buddha) clad in a silk robe stands in a smaller hall to the west of the main hall. With many resident monks and devotees from the town and nearby areas circling the little chapels with giant prayer wheels, the temple is bustling throughout the day.

May 25, 2016
Rongtrak (Danba)

Rongtrak (རོང་བྲག), also known in Chinese as Danba County (丹巴), is situated around 350 kilometers west of Chengdu, in the Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of western Sichuan Province. As the county seat, it is a bustling town that sits in a tight canyon on the banks of the Dadu River at the convergence of three valleys. ‘Kingdom of Watchtowers’ and ‘Beauty Valley’ are two titles given to Danba County because of its many watchtowers and beautiful Tibetan women!
Danba Villages

Tibetan villages on the slopes above the valley below are culturally rich places that have been dubbed as paradise on earth. The famous among these include Jiaju, Zhonglu, and Suopo – littered with watchtowers and traditional Tibetan fortress houses. Each of these villages is on a separate mountain a short distance from one another. All three Tibetan villages have their own unique architecture and culture depicted in their housing style.

Ancient architecture still dots the landscape in Zhonglu Village, Danba County

Watchtowers

Danba County is scattered with stone watchtowers ranging from 300 to 1,500 years old. These watchtowers were constructed in different polygonal shapes and with differing heights up to 60 meters using refined construction techniques. Some are clustered together while others stand alone on hills. The majority of these watchtowers are found in the villages of Zhonglu and Jiaju.

A view of Danba’s Watchtowers.

Their Historical Uses

Moreover, different types of watchtowers at different locations served unique purposes. These include Yao’ai (Strategic Pass), which was erected at strategic places such as mountain passes to deter entrance. Jia (Dwelling) was built within villages to connect houses and served as storage during peace and as defense during war. The Zhai tower (Village) was set up at the entrance to villages for protection. Lastly, Fenghuo (Beacon-Fire) watchtowers were positioned at hilltops for communication purposes using flames/fires.

Current Day Usage

Danba’s towers were not only used for protection from enemies but also signified a family’s influential status. Today these watchtowers are used by farmers to store equipment on the ground floor.

Farms in Zhonglu Village, Danba County

Valley of Beauties

Tibetan women in the villages of Danba County have gained the reputation of being attractive and graceful. Their stunning beauty thus gives the valley its name – Beauty Valley. Many women have now left the villages for better job opportunities as hostesses, office assistants, and models in bigger cities. According to a myth, a phoenix that flew to Mo’erduo Mountain (Holy Mountain) transformed into thousands of pretty women, which is why women are blessed with beauty in the area. Every three years, a beauty contest is held in the County to select the prettiest girl. Danba girls are usually seen to be wearing a headdress, turquoise and coral ornaments into their plaited hair, and an ethnic style red dress.

May 25, 2016