The fusion of Qiang and Tibetan cultures in Western Sichuan: Maerkang

🌄Maerkang, which means 'a place with a thriving flame' in Tibetan, is located in the Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan. It is a city filled with historical charm and natural scenery.🏞️ 🌟About History: Maerkang is a confluence of Tibetan and Qiang cultures. The Tibetan and Qiang people here have created a rich and colorful ethnic culture. Walking through the streets and alleys of Maerkang, one can feel the profound cultural atmosphere. 🏞️About Attractions: 1️⃣ Zhuokeji Tusi Official Manor Cultural Tourism Area: This is a highlight of Maerkang, with the official manor built against the mountains, majestic in appearance. It is not only a representative of Tusi culture but also a treasure of Tibetan and Qiang architectural art. Many people, like Shandao, yearn to explore the manor after reading Alai's 'Dust Settles'. 2️⃣ Dazang Temple: This temple is located deep in the mountains of Maerkang, with a tranquil environment, a holy place for practitioners. The Buddha statues and murals inside the temple are filled with a strong religious atmosphere, inspiring awe in visitors. 3️⃣ Songgang Watchtower: The watchtowers are a crystallization of the wisdom of the Tibetan people, towering into the clouds, incredibly sturdy. Standing under the watchtower, one can feel the tenacity and indomitable spirit of the nation. 💡Travel Tips: Maerkang is suitable for travel in all seasons, but Shandao believes the best seasons are spring and autumn. The climate is pleasant, and the scenery is delightful, making it the best time to experience the charm of Maerkang. 🌈Two-day tour in Maerkang, encounter the charm of Tibetan and Qiang cultures🌊 👣 Maerkang is not a large place, but because Shandao has lingered here on the G317 Sichuan-Tibet Northern Route, he feels that the Zhuokeji Tusi Official Manor is worth wandering slowly. Walking, stopping, and looking around, a day passes quickly. Therefore, Shandao suggests staying in Maerkang for two days. 👣 🌄 Day One: Explore Zhuokeji Tusi Official Manor, taste the Tibetan and Qiang culture 👣 In the morning, the first stop is, of course, the Zhuokeji Tusi Official Manor! Walking on the stone-paved roads, feeling the weight of history, as if one could hear the glorious stories of the Tusi from days past. Unfortunately, Shandao did not go inside, as they were filming during the two days he stayed, and it was closed off. 👣 After lunch, we went to a nearby Tibetan family experience area to try our hands at making traditional Tibetan handicrafts, feeling the simplicity and sincerity. 👣 In the evening, we strolled through the streets and alleys of Zhuokeji, watching the water flow by, tasting authentic Tibetan and Qiang cuisine, and letting our taste buds also immerse in the rich cultural atmosphere. 👣 🏞️ Day Two: Hike to Songgang Zhibo Watchtower, embrace the beauty of nature 👣 On the second day, facing the fresh air, we headed to the Songgang Zhibo Watchtower. This ancient watchtower stands between the mountains, contrasting with the blue sky and white clouds. Hiking up the winding mountain path, one can feel the natural wonders. 👣 If there is time in the afternoon, we will go to Dazang Temple, where we can quietly listen to the chanting of monks, allowing our souls to undergo a profound purification. 🏨Hotel Recommendations Maerkang Dust Settles·Howard Johnson Hotel Maerkang Rongcheng Holiday Hotel Maerkang Qin Residence Hotel Vienna Hotel (Maerkang Branch)

Zhuo Keji Tusi Village is about seven kilometers away from Malkang County, the capital of Aba Prefecture. The stockade is surrounded by green hills and various vegetation. Together with the plateau, it can feel autumn cool even in the hottest summer. Zokkeji Tusi Village was built in the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty. It is a four-storey mortuary building. In addition to stone, it also uses a lot of wood as building materials. In 1936, Guanzhai was destroyed by the fire, and it took more than two hundred years from completion to burning. From 1938 to 1940, the Zhuo Keji Tusi Village was rebuilt, and the local reconstruction was organized by the local toast. In the past, the toast was the local leader of the hereditary system and has now been abolished. Suoguan won was born in Wenchuan County. He was a descendant of Wati Tusi. His mother and the wife of Zhuo Keji Tusi were sisters. Because Zhuo Keji Tusi had no descendants at that time, after mutual consent, Suo Guan won the door. Become a new toast. Zhuokee Tusi Village is a beautiful place. In the summer, the building is surrounded by flowers, and there is a flower version of the Time and Space Tunnel in front of the building to attract tourists to take pictures. The main entrance, front wall, beam and column of the building are painted with distinctive pictures, such as flowers, animals and auspicious signs. Although not far from the central area of the capital of Aba Prefecture, the Zhuo Keji Tusi Village is like a girl who is not known to the deepest people. There are few tourists on weekdays, and the quiet atmosphere adds to the mystery!

Here I experienced a Tibetan girl addiction located in Xisuo Village, Zhuokeji Town, 7 km away from Sichuan Maerkang County. Guanzhai is the political center under the jurisdiction of the Tusi, and is a symbol of the power and status of the toast. It was built in 1718 during the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty. It was a four-storey mortuary. It was destroyed by a fire in 1936. From 1938 to 1940, the toast was organized to rebuild the manpower. In July 1935, Chairman Mao and the head of the Central Organs stayed in Guanzhai for a week. In 1988, Zhuo Keji Guanzhai was listed by the State Council as the third batch of national key cultural relics protection units. The exhibition area mainly concentrates on some buildings on the first and fourth floors. It is divided into 12 exhibition halls, such as kitchen, mortuary room, social housing room, silver room, brewing room and clothes decoration room. The whole stockade is like a huge museum. The most interesting experience here is that you can rent the costumes of the local people. I wear the costumes of two Tibetan compatriots. The Tibetan aunt in Figure 1 is very hearty. The costumes are provided by her, a few famous people. When the costumes are worn, they immediately merge with the local architecture, and more than once, they lament the culture and workmanship of the ethnic costumes. (I hope that the Han people can wear Hanfu or cheongsam on the holidays) and local party members. The staff of the ministry danced Tibetan dance together. I was a little shy. I still can't open the face of the enthusiastic Tibetans. Location: Mawong County East Suo Mo River altitude: 2700 meters (calculated in the West Sichuan Grand Circle route is not high, basically no altitude sickness)

Angkor Wat is the heart and soul of Cambodia. It is a symbol of the country, the birthplace of the Khmer civilization and the source of national pride. The tall and majestic temple is surrounded by a moat, which dwarfs the European castle. Angkor Wat is the crystallization of the most majestic human wisdom. Unlike other buildings in Angkor, Angkor Wat has never been abandoned since its inception and has been in use.

The house completely renovated in the original Xisuo dwellings has the unique characteristics of Jiarong Tibetans and maintains the traditional architectural style of the Jiayin ancestors. The walls around the house are made of slabs of stone and glued with yellow mud. The wall is 1 meter thick and adopts the method of straightening inside and outside. The stone wall is neatly cut like tofu, the edges are sharp, the upper and lower are wide, and the whole wall is in a state of compression, which becomes the main bearing body of the building. In addition, the internal wooden structural beams are supported by each other, and the whole building is large and small, with a center of gravity inward and strong stability. To the highest point, the corners of the tower form a corner, creating an imposing manner. The edge of the stone wall at the highest point is thickened to avoid the flatness of the wall surface and enhance the three-dimensionality. The roof is divided into two, the front part is a flat top, three sides are made into a low wall; the second half forms a sloping mountain type, covering the slate or tile. The stockades are row upon row, and they are scattered and look like a castle with a strong barrier.

Malcolm, the Tibetan language means "the place where the flames are strong". It is located in Aba Prefecture, Sichuan Province. The mountains are continuous and the valleys are steep. The north is adjacent to the Red Plains Prairie and the Wolong Giant Panda Nature Reserve is to the south. Zhuo Keji Jiarong Tibetan cultural tourism scenic area is backed by mountains, facing the river and beautiful scenery. The Zhuokee Tusi Village in the district is a national key cultural relic protection unit. Since Malcolm is located in the heart of the Tibetan ethnic group, the long-term ethnic integration, you can feel the unique Jiarong Tibetan customs brought by Malcolm.