Gyanak Mani Stone Mound
新寨嘉那嘛呢
The world's largest mani stone pile in Xinzhai Village. Hundreds of millions of carved stones are stacked layer upon layer like a city, and pilgrims walk around them all day. It is the spiritual landmark of Yushu.
Gyanak Mani was founded around 1715 in Xinzhai Village by the First Gyanak Rinpoche. Over three centuries, devotees have continuously added mani stones inscribed with the six-syllable mantra and sacred scriptures, forming a stone city about 300 meters long and 80 meters wide. It is reported to contain more than 2.5 billion mani stones. The Yushu Gyanak mani stone carvings are listed as a national-level intangible cultural heritage. The site is about 3 km from the center of Jiegu Town. Admission is free, though a small sanitation fee may be charged. Please walk clockwise around the stones, and do not take away or step on any mani stones. The altitude is about 3,700 meters, so walk slowly.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Jyekundo Monastery
- Yushu Prefecture Museum
- King Gesar Square
- Yushu Earthquake Memorial
- Thrangu Monastery
- Dangka Monastery
- Yushu Horse Racing Festival
- Princess Wencheng Temple