Ganzi
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Southwest China (西南) » Sichuan (四川) » Ganzi (甘孜)
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[edit] Overview
Ganzi is an autonomous prefecture in Sichuan whose capital is Kangding (Dardo). It is also known as Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous State and as Gantse Prefecture.It is sometimes spelled as "Kardze" by non-government sources.
The area is 151,078 square kilometers and the population is approximately 880,000, with Tibetans accounting for 77.8% of the population.--from wikipedia.org
[edit] History
Garze was traditionally part of the Tibetan region known as Kham. During the period of rule by the Republic of China (1911-1949), it became nominally part of Xikang province, which included parts of former Kham. In 1930, a Tibetan army invaded Garze, capturing it without much resistance. However, in 1932, the Tibetan army withdrew after suffering defeats elsewhere at the hands of the warlord of Qinghai, Ma Bufang. Chinese warlord Liu Wenhui reoccupied Garze, and signed an agreement with the Tibetans formalizing his control of the area east of the Yangtze River, which corresponds roughly with eastern Kham. In 1950, following the defeat of the Kuomintang forces by the People's Liberation Army, the area fell within the control of the People's Republic of China. Eastern Xikang was merged with Sichuan in 1955, where Garze became an autonomous prefecture. --from wikipedia.org
[edit] Weather
Current Conditions (2010-08-01 11:00:00, local time)
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Ganzi |
Temp: 89°F (32°C) |
Ganzi Weather Forecast
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[edit] Map
[edit] Video
| Ganzi |
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[edit] Getting in & Getting out
[edit] By Air
[edit] By Train
[edit] By Bus
Buses from Kangding leave for Ganzi at 6:00 a.m. for around ¥120. The ride takes 12-14 hours, depending on the condition of your bus and the number of times it breaks down. Try not to book a seat in the back of the bus, especially on smaller buses, as you'll be thrown around violently through much of the trip.
[edit] By Ship
[edit] Getting Around
[edit] By Public Bus
[edit] By Tour Bus
[edit] By Metro
[edit] By Taxi & Rental Car
The main street is Chuanzang Road (川藏路). You can easily visit the town on foot. For longer distances, you can use taxis. The fare should not exceed ¥6 to any place in town.
[edit] Attractions
- Garze Monastery. A short walk north along the river dividing the town or the street running parallel to the west leads you to the Tibetan quarter of the town, which lays at the foot of the monastery. Follow the narrow paths between the houses to reach the site. Look out for little chapels containing giant prayer wheels circambulated by devotees on the way. Though being the most important of its likes in the Ganzi region and being more than 540 years old, Garze Monastery is not as spectacular as other monasteries in Kham, since the greater parts of its temples had been rebuilt using han-chinese-style white-tile facades and plastic-pane windows. Still the views over the valley from its terraces and the gaudy mix of Tibetan and chinese architecture make it worth a visit.
- (Information as of 20 June 2005)
- Den Gompa is much smaller but the structures are supposed to be more traditional. It's in the southern part of Ganzi.
- Dontok Gompa and Dingkhor Chörten make up for a nice half hour walk across a suspended bridge over the Yalong Jiang. To reach there, head south from the bus station and follow the right path after crossing the bridge. The complex is currently under construction but has distinctive features to its buildings, including vertical white, grey and crimson stripes on the walls surrounding the houses. The friendly monks will show you around the place.
- There is a new Chörten built on a small hill on the eastern edge of town. The adjacent temple houses a Buddhist library. Although the building itself does not bear that ancient flair you might be looking for, its a nice place to catch views over the valley and the city.
[edit] Hotels
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[edit] Restaurants
Plenty of small restaurants are to be found on the road next to the bus station.
[edit] Shopping
Small shops downtown provide typical Tibetan clothing and jewellery and accessories needed by the herdmen frequenting the town. Look out for stores selling antiques. On the road leading north from the bus station, you'll find several shops catering for monk's outfits and religious artefacts, as well as selling the beautiful curtains adorning windows and doors in that region. There are even shops selling traditional Tibetan hand-carved furniture.
Supermarkets on main-street sell food and toiletries, you can also buy bottles of beer and decent Chinese wine to make up your own nightlife. --from wikitravel.org
[edit] Night Life & Entertainment
There is not much nightlife in town. To have a beer, simply visit a restaurant.
[edit] Sports & Recreation
[edit] Excursions & Day Trips
[edit] Tips & Practical Info
Beware of altitude sickness if traveling here straight from the Sichuan lowlands.
