Baishiya Karst Cave
白石崖溶洞
A prehistoric cave where the jawbone of the “Xiahe Denisovan” was discovered. Next to it stands Baishiya Monastery, and the cave mouth and monastery on the cliff are the heart of the Ganjia Secret Land.
Baishiya Karst Cave lies beneath the Baishiya cliffs in the northern part of Ganjia Town, at an elevation of about 3,280 meters. A jawbone fossil of the “Xiahe Denisovan,” unearthed in the cave, was published in Nature in 2019. It was the first Denisovan remains confirmed on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and it is highly significant. Beside the cave mouth, Baishiya Monastery, a nunnery, is built against the cliff. Local Tibetans regard the cave as a sacred place for spiritual practice. The archaeological area is strictly protected, so visitors can generally only view the monastery and the cave's surroundings from outside. Admission and opening conditions depend on local arrangements. Getting there: hiring a car from Xiahe town takes about 1 hour. Note: The monastery and cave are religious sites. Dress respectfully and keep noise down.
Opening hours
Open during the day (check local announcements)
Nearby sights
- Bajiao Ancient City, Ganjia
- Zuohai Monastery
- Ganjia Grassland
- Dazong Lake
- Labrang Prayer Wheel Circuit
- Labrang Monastery
- Gongtang Stupa
- Sangke Grassland