Litang

Overview

Lying in the surroundings of vast grasslands at an elevation of 4100m, 286km west of Kangding, Litang, an oasis between Chengdu and Tibet, used to be an important stage on the Tea-Horse Caravans Route, now is a stop on south Sichuan-Tibet highway, a simple pasturing area with bustling bazaar where the nomads and Tibetans gather to trade their products.

Attractions

Ganden Thubchen Choekhorling Monastery

The monastery is just on the slope 1km north of town and belongs to the Gelupa (yellow-hat-sect) Tibetan Buddhisms. Founded in 1580 by the 3rd Dalai Lama Sonam Gyatso. Some influential Buddhists were born here since then, including the 7th and 10th Dalai Lama, the famed Zebutsundaba Lama of Mogonia, the 7th Gyamuyang Lama, the 7th, 8th and 9th Pabalha living Buddha of Chamdo monastery and the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Xianggen living buddha. Now it is a home to 1400 Gelupa monks. Take a taxi to the top costs Y6.

Horse Racing Festival

The festival stages in August every year and lasts for 10 days in Litang, celebrated with singing, dancing, eating and of course racing. Tibetans come a long way from and set their tents in the grasslands around, which offers an extraordinary scene in the grassland a world of tents.

During the time, accommodation in town gets short and pricey. The Tibetans will come from far away and set tents to wait for the big days very early. After the wonderful ceremony with traditional Tibetan dancing and songs, the most exciting event is the horse races. The brave riders will take their pretty decorated horses to participate the races and showcase their excellent horse riding skills, such as picking up the scarlet on the back of a fast running horse, shooting at targets while on the gallop, etc. The women are all in their most beautiful best with magnificent jewelry as they shower their applauses on their heroes. The festival is also a good time for trade.

Things to Do
Hiking to the surrounding hills to get a view of the outstretched valley. Visit the Hot Springs just north of town. Some guesthouses can arrange tours to go.