Zanda Earth Forest
札达土林
Lake-bed sediments along the Sutlej valley have been eroded into earth forests spanning hundreds of square kilometers, shaped like castles, palaces and stupas. It is one of the largest Tertiary earth forests in the world.
The Zanda Earth Forest is a landform created when ancient lake-basin sediments were eroded and weathered by flowing water over millions of years. It stretches along the Sutlej River, covers about 2,400 square kilometers, and is a national geopark. The earth pillars rise and fall in irregular shapes. Some look like castle turrets, while others resemble rows of stupas or warriors. At sunrise and sunset they turn golden red, complementing the Guge ruins and Tholing Monastery.
There are three main ways to see it. First, the mountain road into Zanda county along G219 descends through earth-forest canyons. It is the most spectacular 'road as attraction,' and there are viewpoints along the way. Second, the earth forests around Zanda county seat and the Guge ruins are best photographed at sunset. Third, you can see the earth forests reflected in the Sutlej between the county seat and Tholing Monastery. Roadside viewing is free, and some viewpoints are included in the Guge combined ticket.
Getting there: the mountain roads into Zanda from the Shiquanhe or Tachen direction are winding and steep, so drive with care and avoid night driving. Notes: the earth forest is loosely structured, so don't climb it, as it may collapse. After rain, roads may be blocked by landslides, so check conditions before setting out.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Dungkar Caves
- Zanda Town (Tholing)
- Tholing Monastery
- Sutlej (Xiangquan) River Valley
- Piyang Caves
- Guge Kingdom Ruins (Tsaparang)