Dêgê County

A center of Tibetan culture on the northern Sichuan–Tibet route, where the Derge Parkhang holds a vast collection of ancient printing blocks, and Mount Chola and Xinlu Lake offer magnificent scenery.

Dêgê County belongs to Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, in the northwest of the prefecture on the east bank of the Jinsha River, facing Jomda County in Tibet across the river; it is one of the core areas of Kham culture. The Derge Parkhang preserves a huge number of Tibetan printing blocks and texts and is known as the “Treasure House of Snowland Culture”; monasteries such as Dzongsar have a long history. The northern Sichuan–Tibet route (G317) crosses Chola Mountain within the county, and Xinlu Lake at its foot is a glacial lake of stunning beauty; Asu Grassland is said to be linked to King Gesar. Summer is the best time to visit. Change at Garzê Gesar Airport, then continue by road.

Destinations

• Dege

Itineraries

• Northern Sichuan-Tibet Highway (G317) Northern Kham Culture – Follow Highway G317 through Seda and Garzê to Dege to see the Parkhang Printing House and Xinluhai Lake, returning via…