2025 Zamthang Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in July)

🌄 Start the day in Namda with breakfast at Velume Kitchen. We recommend the fried yak meat noodles—hearty, flavorful, and perfect before a day on the road. 🐂 Leaving Namda, the route winds through green valleys, where yaks graze peacefully near stone villages. A few kilometers out, a new white stupa appears—marking the gateway to spectacular scenery. 🌀 The road climbs to a mountain pass over 3900 meters, with breathtaking views and great photo opportunities. Then, descend into Zamtang, where the landscape follows the peaceful Duke River through forests and Tibetan hamlets. 🛕 About 25 km later, stop at Cengke Temple, known for its colorful sacred towers. You may see locals making and painting tsa-tsas—tiny clay offerings. 🥣 Don’t miss the barley milk tea and handmade Barley Cookies, sold by a village cooperative. 🏘️ Just after the temple, pass through Xiuka Village, famous for its dramatic “hanging houses” clinging to the hillside—one of the most striking sights of the route. 🏞️ The road continues alongside the Sequ River, passing more remote Tibetan villages with stunning landscapes. 🛏️ In Bomda, stay at the Seda Fuhong Hotel—a comfortable and welcoming place to relax after a day of travel and exploration. 🚗 This hidden route offers a perfect mix of nature, spirituality, and authentic Tibetan culture—ideal for those seeking beauty off the beaten path.

Bangtuo Monastery: Located in Rongmuda Township, Rangtang County, 32 km from the county seat. The monastery was built in the Yuan Dynasty and has a history of over 700 years. It is an important monastery of the Nyingma school (Red Hat sect) of Tibetan Buddhism. Attractions: (Free) There are two places on the river. On the left is the new temple with a huge mural. When crossing the bridge, you must go up the mountain from the right and go down to worship. On the right is the old temple. You can see the panoramic view from the right side of the mountain. Highlights: At around 4 pm, the sun shone on the top of the stupa and emitted golden light, so I took a photo of the splendor of life for the tourists in the same group.

Rangtang: a hidden treasure in western Sichuan, waiting for your discovery When people mention Western Sichuan, the mystery of Aden, the solemnity of Seda, and the majesty of Gongga often come to mind. However, in this legendary land, there is a small city, like an uncut gem, lying quietly in the embrace of Western Sichuan. It is Rangtang. Rangtang, the name means "the place where the God of Wealth lives" in Tibetan. It is not only a secret place praised by National Geographic magazine, but also the biggest surprise in our return to the "Extreme of Western Sichuan" route this year. Many travelers have found a touch here that transcends Seda, and have fallen in love with this mysterious place known as the "Pure Land of Hanging Sky". Rangtang is a piece of pure land that has not been eroded by commercial atmosphere. Its beauty is quiet but profound, rich but not ostentatious. Here, all the natural and cultural landscapes of Western Sichuan come together: majestic snow-capped mountains, vast grasslands, spectacular glaciers, lush forests, and solemn temples. The story of Dangbala and the legend of Juenang culture unfold slowly under the protection of the holy mountain of Shangladongji and in the gentle flow of the Duko River, which is touching. During the journey of "The Extremes of Western Sichuan", we will unveil the mystery of Rangtang in five chapters: Highway Chapter: Shang Nantian Road, the landscape avenue above the clouds Take Nantian Road, which is hailed as the "Landscape Avenue" by National Geographic, winding above the clouds and between the mountains. We drove quickly, shuttling between wetlands, grasslands, pastures, and clouds, as if we were traveling to every corner of the world. Snow Mountain Chapter: Xiang La Dong Ji, the sacred mountain in the secret realm Shangladongji, the highest sacred mountain in Rangtang, is a secret place that is completely isolated from tourists. Here, we walked lightly on the pastoral road, met the "Vajrapani Bodhisattva" in "The Biography of King Gesar", and felt the majesty and mystery of the sacred mountain. Temple Chapter: The Jonang Sect, the Loss and Glory of Tibetan Culture The Jonang Sect, this almost forgotten legend in Tibetan culture, left its last glory in the land of Zambala. We went deep into the three major Jonang monasteries, listened to local people’s stories, witnessed ancient murals more than 300 years ago, and paid homage to the majesty of Rinpoche’s true body. Stone Carvings: Bangtuo Temple, a miracle of stone carving art Bangtuo Temple, home to the world's largest existing stone-carved Tripitaka, is a miracle in the Guinness Book of Records. Here we experience the ancient craft of "carving words on stone" and experience the shock that has lasted for thousands of years. Inheritance chapter: Dangbala Intangible Cultural Heritage, the guardian of Tibetan intangible cultural heritage Zangbala Intangible Cultural Heritage Center carries 17 items of Tibetan intangible cultural heritage, which are passed down from generation to generation in an ancient and simple way. We will witness with our own eyes how Tibetan children get along with these ancient cultures and how they carry them forward. Rangtang is like a destined encounter. Inadvertently, we met here and left unforgettable memories. With the gentle autumn breeze, the most beautiful season in western Sichuan is about to come, with colorful forests everywhere, it is the best time to visit Rangtang. Let's embark on the journey of "The Ultimate of Western Sichuan" together, hiking in the secret area of ​​Ergu River, facing the colorful forests of snow-capped mountains; making good wishes at the largest prayer flag platform in Western Sichuan; turning the pagoda and mandala at Seda Mountain; Receive surprises in the uninhabited land in the secret land of Zangbala; linger in the wonders of Lianbao Yeze Stone Mountain. The holiness, ruggedness, ancientness, movingness and magnificence of the Hengduan Mountains will be like movie scenes, concatenating into beautiful memories in the future. This autumn, we are waiting for you in "The Ultimate of Western Sichuan" to explore the soil ponds and discover the hidden treasures of Western Sichuan.

Rangtang, the land of wealth in Tibetan culture A land almost untouched by tourism Quiet but not simple, rich but not ostentatious Everything Sichuan-West has, it has Snow mountains, grasslands, glaciers, forests, temples 💡 First stop: Bangtuo Temple 💗 Stone-carved Tripitaka 📝 Located in Rongmu Da Township, it is a Nyingma (Red Sect) temple of Tibetan Buddhism, with a construction area of 1538 square meters. It was first built in the Yuan Dynasty and currently has 120 monks and nuns. It is famous for its large-scale stone-carved Tibetan Tripitaka and majestic pagoda complex. When we visited, it happened to be the annual Dengzong (Tibetan homonym) festival celebration. Chanting and lecturing activities can also be seen in the main hall. There are few tourists, and the monks and nuns don't speak Mandarin very well, but they will still guide you on the kora route with enthusiasm. Each building basically has an explanation board, where you can learn about the history and culture. The overall tour experience is much better than the three major temples in Zhongrangtang Town. 💡 Second stop: Zhongrangtang Town 💗 Temples & Intangible Cultural Heritage 📝 Visit the three Sakya temples (Zebuji Temple, Queshaji Temple, Zangwaba Temple) and the Rangbala Sakya Intangible Cultural Heritage Training Institute. The three temples are adjacent to each other, but note that the opening hours are 9:00-17:00. We arrived in the evening, so we only saw the exterior and did not enter the temples. The training institute is actually an industrial park, with a base for learning and working on intangible cultural heritage such as Thangka, Tibetan medicine, Tibetan carpets, and Tibetan clothing. It is about 2.5KM from the three temples. When we first arrived at the park, we wandered around for a long time not knowing where to start (because most of the lofts were closed and there were few people on the street). Later, we were lucky to meet a talkative Tibetan carpet maker who took us to visit some workshops. It was an eye-opening experience and we learned a lot. Therefore, the training institute is not actually a tourist destination. If you are very interested in intangible cultural heritage, you can go and try your luck, or it is best to find a staff member in the park to guide you. 🍜 When we arrived in town, it was lunchtime, so we chose a restaurant called "Marlon" opposite the parking lot for lunch. It mainly serves Tibetan food. The environment, service, and taste of the dishes are all excellent. Recommended 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 💡 Third stop: Rangtang County 💗 Food & Accommodation 📝 Rangtang County is about 40KM from Zhongrangtang Town, with more dining and accommodation options. It is also closer to Seda, so you can choose to stay overnight in Rangtang County. 🍜 Recommended 👍🏻 Luzhou Braised Beancurd Rice, 35 yuan/person, unlimited beancurd, soy milk and vegetarian dishes. The taste is good and affordable. The proprietress is from Dujiangyan and is very hospitable. 🏨 We visited several hotels and finally chose "Rangtang No. 1 Hotel". The decoration is new and the rooms are large, for reference.

In Rangtang County, Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, there is a magical "Heavenly Road". It winds and twists as if stretching deep into the white clouds. This is the "Shangnantian Road" with wonderful scenery. Stepping onto this road known as "the road closest to heaven" - Shangnantian Road in Yangtang County, Aba, Sichuan, it seems as if you are stepping into the threshold of fairyland with every step! As the morning light breaks through and the sea of ​​clouds rolls, the road to Nantian looks like a giant dragon, winding among the lofty mountains at an altitude of 4,000 meters. Under the lens, the continuous mountains and blue sky and white clouds interweave into a breathtaking picture. Every frame is wallpaper-level beauty! Photography guide is here! 1. Best shooting time: Early morning and evening, when the light is soft and the colors are rich, it is the golden moment to capture the sea of ​​clouds and the changing light and shadow. 2. Essential equipment: a wide-angle lens to capture the majestic mountain scenery, a tripod for stable shooting, and aerial drone photography is an artifact to unlock God’s perspective! 3. Creative composition: Use curves and ridges as guiding lines to increase the depth of the picture; or capture the harmonious coexistence of herdsmen’s residences and cattle and sheep to tell the story of man and nature. 4. Light and shadow game: Waiting for a beam of light to penetrate the clouds and illuminate the valley. The sound of the shutter at that moment will be the most precious memory of this trip. 5. Safety tips: The road conditions are changeable, with many curves and steep slopes. Please slow down when driving to ensure safety. When shooting, you should also pay attention to your steps, protect the environment, and take away garbage. Walking on the road to the south, every step is scenery, and every shutter is eternity. Bring your camera and go on an on-the-go plateau photography trip! Navigate to the Aba Shanglantian Road Observation Deck, or directly click on this article to locate it.

On the way from Aba to Seda, you will pass many characteristic temples. Zengke Temple is one of them, located near the secluded Aba Rangtang County. This is not only a holy place for Tibetan Buddhism, but also attracts many travelers with its unique culture and architectural style. 🙏【Explore Zengke Temple】 Zengke Temple, Tibetan means "great self-contained heart repair place", here is not only the sustenance of faith, but also the home of the soul. The temple is centered on three nine-story Mila towers, surrounded by 1108 pagodas, each carrying the prayers of believers and the respect for the Dharma. Here, you can feel the stillness of time and experience the purification of the soul. 📷【Highlights of Zengke Temple】 1. Zengke Temple is located on the Duoke River, the temple and nature are integrated, solemn and mysterious complement each other, making people feel like they are in a historical picture scroll. 2. The tour season of Zengke Temple is not limited. In spring and summer, you can see the colorful temple scenery, which is particularly good for taking pictures, and in winter, it is covered with a mysterious white coat, which is holy and quiet. 3. Zengke Temple, the layout of the prayer wheel is very special, there are low tunnels, and there are also trails built along the mountain. Follow the footsteps of local monks and believers, turn those prayer wheels that carry blessings, and better understand the power of faith and the charm of culture. And the irregular layout is good for taking pictures. 4. The 1108 pagodas surrounded by Zengke Temple are very beautiful to take pictures. Some are pure and white, and some are colorful. You said its style is actually quite strange. It feels a bit like a Nepalese Buddhist altar. 📒【Travel Tips】 📍 Location: Zengke Temple, Rangtang County, Aba, Sichuan 🚗Transportation: Zengke Temple is about 26.5 kilometers away from Rangtang County, it is recommended to drive or charter a car. 🎫 Tickets: Currently, Zengke Temple is open to all tourists for free, but please respect local religious customs and cultural traditions. 📸 Features: Tibetan Buddhist holy land, 1108 pagodas, Duoke River scenery 📖 Experience: Prayer wheel experience, soul purification How to evaluate Zengke Temple? From the perspective of photography, it is really good to take pictures here. Every corner can find the unique beauty here. The original plan was to visit for 1 hour, and I walked and took pictures for almost 3 hours. 🌈 When you calm down, every step here is the practice of the soul, and every eye is the gift of the scenery.

The journey to Western Sichuan, a dream I didn't want to wake up from! Do you also long to escape the hustle and bustle, letting your soul soar freely in the wilderness? Driving through Western Sichuan, joy and breathtaking beauty coexist. After a few bends at Honghaizi, the wind at Yala Pass, carrying the call from afar, blows away the troubles of the mundane world. Standing at the mountain peak, the wind heals the soul. Gazing into the distance, the prayer flags fluttering in the wind are both wishes and poetry. Here, the mountains are magnificent, the white pagodas are sacred, and every scene makes one marvel at the craftsmanship of nature, making one feel small yet in awe. The courage and dreams in 'Seeing the Wind' quietly blossom on the roads of Western Sichuan. We are not just travelers, but also wanderers in the wind, chasing different winds and being sculpted into unique selves. The mountains, rivers, and lakes witness every glance back and expectation, every thought and record. Western Sichuan, with its myriad charms, tells the story of you and me. The trip to Western Sichuan is not just a visual feast but also a baptism of the soul. Here, you find yourself and encounter unknown beauty. Come share your Western Sichuan stories in the comments section, and let's reminisce about that freedom and vastness together, feeling the deep affection of the mountains and the sea. This is Lin Xiansen's travel channel. If you like my travel tips, remember to like, follow, comment, and share for support! 📍Scenic Spot Address: Honghaizi--Yala Pass (S434 Provincial Road) 🚗Scenic Spot Transportation: Drive or rent a car to get there 👍️Must-visit Scenic Spots: Western Sichuan S434 🎟️Ticket Information: Free scenic spot 💗Other Tips: Yala Pass is the highest place in this area, altitude: 4401m (people prone to altitude sickness remember to bring oxygen bottles), poor signal so remember to bring cash, the wind is strong so definitely bring a hat, otherwise, you'll get a headache. There are vendors selling prayer flags and Lungta on top.

Lianbao Yezhe, a scenic area full of mystery and grandeur, here you can find peculiar peaks, glacial relics, snow-capped mountains, and lakes, making it an excellent place for sightseeing, photography, and exploration. Longga Cuo Lama Lake, the largest lake in the scenic area, is broad and vast, with crystal-clear waters that reflect the sky and the majestic granite. Fish swim in the lake, waterbirds fly over the surface, and the wide and gentle lakeshore is a great spot for photography. Luoyun Cuo, a beautiful highland freshwater lake, with deep blue and serene waters where fish frolic joyfully, full of vitality. On the lakeshore, there are tall ox-heart stones reflected in the water, as well as strange rocks and snow-capped peaks twinkling on the glittering lake surface, enhancing its spiritual aura. Zhaga'er Cuo is another lake worth visiting. The lake surface is frozen with ice and snow, and the rock walls are covered in white snow, making it one of the highest lakes in Aba County. In the lake, there is a unique kind of 'pot-bellied' chubby fish. Around Zhaga'er Cuo, you can also admire several huge 'U'-shaped valleys and the spectacular scenery of majestic glacial valleys. Special reminders: 1. Due to the high altitude of the scenic area, please reduce unnecessary exercise, slow down all movements to avoid altitude sickness. There is a medical aid station set up before Zhaga'er Cuo for tourists with altitude sickness, where you can get oxygen and other simple medical help. 2. The 20 kilometers from the visitor center to Campsite No. 2 also offer very nice views, and you can enjoy the scenery as you go. 3. After arriving at Zhaga'er Cuo, if time, weather, and physical condition allow, you can walk around the lake. Due to the variable highland weather, pay attention to cold and sun protection. Bring a good mood and explore this world of mystery and grandeur at the roof of the world! Have a pleasant trip!

Bangtuo Temple is located on the bank of Zequ River in Rongmu Da Township, Rangtang County, Aba Prefecture. This temple belongs to the Nyingma sect (Red Sect) of Tibetan Buddhism. The existing cultural relics include the Lama Pagoda and the stone-carved Tibetan scriptures. In Tibetan, it means 'the temple on the grass dam'. Surrounded by green mountains and clear waters, Bangtuo Temple is full of birdsong and fragrance. The ancient temple's prayer flags flutter in the wind, and pilgrims come in an endless stream. Here, more than five or six hundred years of white pagodas stand tall. Among them, the Demon-subduing Pagoda contains some Ming Dynasty Buddha statues and murals, which is the oldest Lama Pagoda in the pagoda group.

Rangtang, hidden in the mountains, is a place known as 'Shambhala on Earth' and 'Rangbala Holy Land'. Along the Duoke River, driving on the A'liang Highway, you can see Tibetan houses hidden in the lush mountains, especially the Xiuka Tibetan Village, built on the cliff, overlooking the surging Duoke River, surrounded by mountains, with only a narrow path leading to the outside world, very secluded and quiet. From a distance, it looks like it is suspended in mid-air on a sheer cliff, hence the name 'The Suspended Tibetan Village'.

Unintentionally found this hanging Tibetan long time ago, the stockade is the only way to live in Seda and Aba, and there is no such way to pass the car. The older generation, remember There was a toast in the stockade, and the toast set a checkpoint here to protect the merchants who passed along the road. When they were in danger, they would ignite the beacon. However, including the oldest old man in the stockade, including the older generation of the older generation, no one has made it clear how long the stockade has existed, but "it must have existed for thousands of years."

The flowers on the prairie are just right, and the mountains are full of anger. This is a very remote place. The local language is called the dam that the god of wealth likes. The adventure of this road surprised me. I accidentally bumped into a van. The uncle asked me to help drive away the wild dogs that were blocking the road, and met the host of the famous Fortuna Temple. This is the end of the world, the land of the county of Aba, a land of inaccessible. The three major temples, the Tibetan Mastiff Temple, the Jurji Temple and the Zebuki Temple, are located on the east bank of the Zequ River. They are named Little Lhasa because of their profound Buddhist knowledge, unique religious features and grand temple scale. The three temples contain more than a thousand rare cultural relics from the Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, Qing and Republican periods.