Dengqen Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in May)
Zizhu Temple Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in May)
Changdu Zizhu Temple | The City in the Sky after Snow
This City in the Sky is definitely one of the temples not to be missed on the northern route of Sichuan-Tibet. Zizhu Temple has a history of three thousand years. In the Bon religion, there is a belief in four sacred mountains, and Zizhu Mountain in Changdu is one of them.
When we arrived at the foot of Zizhu Temple, I told my crazy friend that it might be difficult to get up to Zizhu Temple today. Our car didn't have enough power, and the gravel road to Zizhu Temple seemed quite treacherous.
Sure enough, as I was shouting 'Come on!' I watched helplessly as our car slid, couldn't move, lost power, and got stuck in a ditch. We were only a few turns away from the top of the mountain, but we just couldn't make it. In winter, not many people pass through Zizhu Temple, so we had to rescue ourselves by jacking up the car with a jack. The wheels were stuck by stones, so we deliberately wedged more stones around the wheels to create a makeshift road. We started the car, reversed, and after a while, we successfully escaped the trap.
Stubbornly, we tried several more times to take that bend but still couldn't make it. After all, the tires had been stationary for too long and had iced over. We had to carefully turn around and prepare to go down the mountain. It was already snowing again on the distant mountains, so we let the drone go to take a look at Zizhu Temple for us. However, the eagles in the sky made me fly cautiously, always feeling that I hadn't found the angle I wanted the most, but I was already very satisfied.
The last time I came to Zizhu Temple was five years ago. Time really disappears in the blink of an eye. Although we didn't make it to the top, I have no regrets. It's enough to have been here.
Zizhu Mountain is 4,800 meters above sea level, and there is only a 12-kilometer road from the foot of the mountain to the top, all of which are unpaved gravel roads. In winter, the high mountain roads are slippery, making it really difficult to reach. It is precisely because it is located in steep mountains that Zizhu Temple has preserved many aspects of the Bon culture. It is one of the largest temples in the Kang region with the most complete preservation of Bon rituals.
The most special event at Zizhu Temple is the once-every-twelve-years Rooster Year Grand Ritual Dance. The 'Bliss and Hell' ritual dance is a very grand festival at Zizhu Temple. The next one is in 2029, and if I have the chance, I would really like to see it with my own eyes.
April Exploration of Tibet's Hidden Gem: The Pilgrimage to Zizhu Monastery
While playing in Tibet, I passed by Dingqing and on a whim, decided to visit! The road is really tough! Zizhu Monastery is located on Zizhu Mountain in Dingqing County, Chamdo, Tibet, at an altitude of about 4800 meters.
Amidst the rugged and steep rock peaks, there are large and small Buddhist temples and hermitages for monks in meditation.
.📍Detailed address: On Zizhu Mountain, Shagong Township, Dingqing County, Chamdo City, Tibet Autonomous Region
.🚗Transportation strategy: Navigate to "Zizhu Monastery" by car, there is a parking lot nearby 🅿
🔥Key recommendations:
Ⅰ Great Treasure Hall: A place for believers to study and practice, surrounded by exquisite Thangkas on the walls, with the compassionate Great Mother enshrined in the center (but no photography is allowed inside);
Ⅱ Heaven's Gate Cave: An absolutely stunning stop, climbing up you can even see the highest altitude toilet, thrilling!
💡【Tips】
1. Although April is spring, the temperature difference between day and night in the plateau area is large, remember to bring warm clothing and sun protection;
2. Zizhu Monastery is located in a high-altitude area, try to prepare for altitude sickness in advance, maintain good physical strength, and walk steadily step by step;
3. ❗Note: Zizhu Monastery belongs to the Bon religion, and you need to circumambulate the mountain counterclockwise.
4. Ticket information: Zero cost, free to visit!
🌈Zizhu Monastery is like a dazzling pearl inlaid on the roof of the world. Under the bright April sunshine, the blue sky, white clouds, and snow-capped mountains complement each other, making the temple even more solemn and sacred. I feel like this might be my only visit in this lifetime.
City in the Sky
Zizhu Mountain (elevation 4800m)
Located in Shagong Township, Dingqing County, Changdu City, Tibet
It is a sacred mountain blessed by the traces of Bodhisattvas
It is also the center of the ancient Xiangxiong civilization's outward expansion
Zizhu Temple (4500m)
Is one of the highest temples in Tibet
It is also one of the oldest and most important temples of the Yungdrung Bön religion
Its cultural relics, ancient books, and historical sites are of great research value
It is an extremely precious specimen site of the Xiangxiong civilization
From the foot of the mountain (3600m) to the summit (4500m)
There is an 11-kilometer unpaved gravel serpentine road
It becomes exceptionally difficult to traverse in rain or snow
Therefore, in Tibet, known for its treacherous roads
The path to Zizhu Temple is 'dangerous within dangerous'
Because it is so remote and steep
Even locals in Tibet rarely visit
'Zizhu Temple is not a place for ordinary people,
Only those who are truly destined can go.'
'The reason for the temple's harsh conditions,
Is to maintain the original devout thoughts,
Not wanting to lose the essence due to economic prosperity.'
- 'Dingzhen Ose' Rinpoche
Spread your arms above the wilderness
Facing the light, the wind, the juniper smoke
Listen to the Sanskrit chants echoing in the valley
Watch the marks of meditation on the boulders and prayer flags singing with the wind
Just like this, meet with oneself
With the Temple in the Sky...
Stars, Milky Way, sunrise, devotees
One by one captured in the lens
Eating a flatbread
Drinking a bowl of butter tea
Packing up
Bid farewell to Tashi and descend the mountain
Join National Highway 318 from 317, 214, 349
Road construction on one side along the 72 hairpin turns
Engineering vehicles, military vehicles, transport trucks, private cars
Mixed together
A small traffic jam
379km, 9H
Tips:
Zizhu Temple is an important Bön temple
The direction of circumambulation (counterclockwise) is opposite to Buddhism
The mantra chanted is the Eight Syllables (not the Six Syllables)
2024 Tibet North Ring Line: Visit Zizhu Temple again
Leaving Dingqing County and taking G317, you can reach the parking lot of Zizhu Temple in 1 hour. The car missed the intersection and went to G317 behind Zizhu Mountain, fortunately to see the back of Zizhu Temple!
Drive along the stone road around the mountain to the parking lot in front of the temple. Walk to the Sky Bridge, either take the road in front of the temple, or follow the left rotation of the Bon followers, walk from the path behind the temple, turn right in front of the temple, and walk towards the Sky Bridge.
Then go to the opposite viewing platform to enjoy Zizhu Temple.
Go down the mountain, return to G317, turn to S302 towards Dangdui Township, walk from the red land by the Nu River to the snowy white, cross three big mountains, and arrive at Bianba County in 5.5 hours, which is already dusk.
Most of the restaurants in the county have gone home for the New Year. The chicken rice noodle shop next to the hotel is very good. The signature chicken rice noodles are generous, crispy meat, chicken shreds, meatballs, various noodles, and braised pork are all delicious!
PS: The mountain view along the way to Zizhu Temple is mainly red land, which is very good.
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Dingqing Temple Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in May)
The obscure temple named after Qiong Budingqing, Dingqing Temple
Changdu City's Dingqing County was formerly known as Qiong Bu, also called Qiong Bu Dingqing, which means 'the plateau where the Roc bird lands', one of the origins of the ancient Xiangxiong dynasty. The full name of Dingqing Temple is Dingqing Hongyang Yongzhong Teaching Temple, located on the western slope of Dingqing County, close to the northern line of the Sichuan-Tibet Highway G317 National Road.
Legend has it that Dingqing Temple was founded by the Bon master Qiong Wei Xirao Jianzan around the 11th century AD, but according to historical records, the temple really became a temple started by a Bon master called Qiong Abule after Qiong Wei master. The approximate period is between the 12th and 13th centuries, after Qiong Abule, there have been 25 masters, all of whom are equivalent to the Khenpo of the temple. Among them, the more famous one is Rodan Ningbu, who was born in the Qiong Bu area in 1360, became a monk in Dingqing Temple when he was young, and was diligent in learning and studying scriptures. He was recognized as a living Buddha at that time. Dingqing Temple was destroyed during the 'Cultural Revolution', and began to be repaired after the reform and opening up, which is the Dingqing Temple we see today.
In Dingqing County, Dingqing Temple is far less famous than Zizhu Temple, whether it is a travel guide book or a map of cultural relics and ancient sites, there is little introduction to it. Fortunately, the temple has a superior geographical location and convenient transportation. Early in the morning, we set off from Dingqing and headed to Suo County along the 317 National Road. As soon as we left the county town, we were attracted by the huge volume of the temple on the plateau of the mountain slope ahead. We turned at the fork in the road. Our group became the only tourists again, the temple is open for free, drones can fly at will, under the blessing of the drone's perspective, Dingqing Temple is equally beautiful and spectacular!
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