Discovering the Tibetan Culture in Kham - How to Plan Your China Culture Journey
Exploring diverse cultures across the globe helps us enrich our knowledge and perception of life. And if you’re one of those cultural enthusiasts who like to wander through the various cultural sites in the world, China is an ideal place for you. As one of the oldest civilizations in the world, the nation treasures the glorious realms of several cultures and dynasties. Kham is one such region in China that exhibits rich cultural influences of the Tibetan empire. And if you’re planning a China culture journey, this place is a must-visit place.
A sneak peek into the geography of Kham
Kham was a significant part of the ancient Tibetan empire, located in the extreme eastern zone. The region covers the majority of the western part of the Sichuan province and parts of Northern Yunnan. It borders U to the west, Amdo to the North, Myanmar, and India to the south, and Sichuan to the east. Kham is spread across six prefectures and broken into 54 counties.
The original residents living in Kham are known as Khampa, and they speak in the Tibetan language’s Kham dialect. The region is blessed with deep valleys, rivers, and high mountains, which have collectively carved the customs and traditions of Khampas. And in this article, you will learn mainly about the Tibetan culture of Kham and places of relevant interest.
Popular sightseeing attractions in Kham
As one of the three inhabited areas of Tibetans in China, it covers an area of around 2.5 million sq kilometers and comprises a population of around 5.4 million Tibetans. The Kham Tibetan population is mainly assimilation and fusion of the Tubo culture and the Han culture since the reign of the Tang dynasty. And their historical traces can be found in different places in the region as well. Below here are some of the major attractions of the Kham region discussed.
Jiuzhaigou National park: ‘Jiuzhaigou’ means a ‘nine village valley’. This place is listed as one of the world's cultural heritages by UNESCO and a hot spot for trekkers.
Yading Nature Reserve: Yading means “the last piece of pure land on the planet”. It’s made up of 3 holy mountains, Jampelyang, Chenrezig, and Channa Dorje, and is located in the Riwa township. Some popular spots to visit in this reserve are the Changgu Monastery, Milk Lake, Luorong Grassland, and Five-colour Lake.
Tagong Grasslands: The word ‘Tagong’ means “a place favored by the Buddha”. This tiny village situated in Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture enjoys diverse topographical features and is surrounded by green forests, vast grasslands, and glacial mountains.
Galden Jampaling Monastery: Built in the middle of the fifteenth century by one of the disciples of Tsongkhapa, this monastery once consisted of 5 massive temples and 3000 monks. Presently it has around 800 monks and is considered a significant monastery of the Gelug School of Tibetan Buddhism.
Riwoqe Monastery: Established in the 13th century, the Riwoqe Monastery is an ancient monastery that’s located at the top of Riwoqe town. It houses around 500 monks and is known as one of the most impressive monasteries in China.
Dukezong Ancient City: Located in the present area of Shangri-La in the Yunnan Province, it is an ancient town, and holds the glory of being the key stopping point of the ancient Tea Horse Road, which ran from India.
Wrapping up!
Traveling to these places will help you get deeper insights into the ancient Tibetan culture and realize how the past still lives in the present there. Are you looking for a trusted tour planner who can help you visit such splendid attractions of cultural interests in China or for China nature travel? AbsolutePanda can be the ultimate guide for you. Contact them now.