Kangding, Danba, Tagong & Litang- Sichuan Province

Kangding is a small mountain city in Western Sichuan. While the population may be mostly Han Chinese, it is Tibetan culture which dominates here, and Kangding, known as Dartsendo in Tibetan, has always been the gateway to the Tibetan world west of Chengdu. Hemmed in by tall mountains on each side, a fast-moving river runs through the centre of town. Kangding is famous throughout China, and was even the inspiration for a popular 1990's pop song, 'Kangding Love Song’, still sung in karaoke bars across the country today! Mostly used as a stop-off point for travellers daring the rough roads further east, Kangding is worth lingering in for a few days while you acclimatise to the high altitude, to soak up the Tibetan atmosphere and explore the mountains and monasteries nearby.

Danba is a town in the Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Western Sichuan. Once known as the Kham region of ancient Tibet, this is a world away from the crowded and hectic streets of urban Chengdu, just a few hours away. While the town itself may not be much to shout about, the surrounding mountains, Tibetan villages, and numerous stone watchtowers make Danba well worth a visit. The villages of Jiaju, Zhonglu and Sopo have been named as some of the most beautiful in all of China, and a day spent exploring the area is sure to give you a fascinating glimpse into the lives of the ethnic Tibetans who populate this region.

Tagong is a small town in the Kham region of Western Sichuan, a historically and culturally Tibetan part of China. The town itself is friendly and pleasant enough, but it’s the surrounding grasslands which are the real draw for travellers here. It’s possible to arrange trekking trips, by horse or on foot, and it’s definitely worth spending a few days exploring some of the spectacular countryside and Tibetan Monasteries and Lamaseries/Nunneries that are dotted around the area.

Another highlight of the Kham region is Litang, a rugged town high on the Tibetan Plateau, around 4,000 metres above sea level. The town is surrounded by endless grasslands, home to a shifting population of nomads, and is overlooked by a beautiful monastery, the oldest and largest in the Kham area. If you are feeling active at this altitude, then a short hike up the hills behind the monastery rewards with excellent views over the town and valley. Litang plays host to an annual horse racing festival every August. The festival is celebrated by the nomad population, so the exact location may vary year to year, but it takes place in the grasslands outside Litang and is a lively and memorable experience!