Shiqu

Stretching 1.6 km, this is the longest Mani wall in Tibetan areas, built over 300 years with carved scripture stones. Resembling a sleeping dragon, it features pagodas, colorful prayer flags, and niches with statues. Visitors can purchase stone tablets for pilgrims to have scriptures carved.

A square stone city up to 10 meters high, built entirely of Mani stones, dating back to the Gesar era. Its labyrinthine passages and sunken ground due to weight make it a mysterious marvel. Pilgrims circumambulate the walls, paying homage to the legendary hero.

A bizarre hill of giant rocks, each weighing tons, stacked like building blocks, with caves and tunnels. Locals revere it as a sacred mountain, as the origin of these rocks remains a mystery to experts. The smooth, textured surfaces and strange formations create an otherworldly landscape.

The largest Gelugpa monastery in Shiqu, it is the only one in Kham with the authority to confer the Geshe degree. It houses a magnificent copper-gilt Maitreya Buddha, second only to Tashilhunpo's, and treasures like a 2000-year-old Avalokiteshvara statue and Tsongkhapa's relic.

Known as 'Chaquka' in Tibetan, these 39 springs, all above 40°C, were once the bathing place of King Gesar and his 30 generals. The steaming waters create a misty, fairy-tale atmosphere, with two springs exceeding 45°C, offering a unique geothermal experience.

Sichuan's largest grassland, watered by the Yalong and Jinsha rivers, is home to diverse wildlife and the legendary 'Sun Tribe'. Best visited from June to September, it offers expansive views, nomadic culture, and chances to see rare animals up close.

Covering over 2,000 square kilometers at an average altitude of 4,100 meters, this is Sichuan's largest pasture and the source of the Yalong River. Its pristine, sub-frigid alpine ecosystem is among China's most beautiful, with wildflowers and grazing yaks under blue skies.

Located at the headwaters of the Yalong, Jinsha, and Yellow Rivers, this wetland is a vital ecological treasure of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. It serves as a green reservoir and a haven for wildlife, supporting a diverse range of species in its natural grassland ecosystem.

Also called the Mysterious Valley, this scenic area in Luo Xu offers a transition from low mountain forests to alpine meadows at an average altitude of 3,800 meters. With babbling streams, unique rock formations, and diverse flora and fauna, it feels like a paradise untouched by time.

Established in 1995, this reserve protects rare species like the white-lipped deer, Tibetan wild ass, and wild yak. It hosts 9 national first-class protected animals and 34 second-class species, making it a crucial sanctuary for high-altitude wildlife.

Home to the Chaga tribe, one of the oldest on the grassland, who migrated here in the 19th century. They maintain ancient customs, including a unique tent temple and traditional butter extraction methods. Women do not marry outside the tribe, preserving their distinct heritage.