Historical Sites in Ngari Prefecture

Ngari Prefecture is located in western Tibet. It is more than 4500 meters above the sea level. It is noted as the top of the roof of the world. It is known for its particular plateau landscapes, as well as the worldly famous historical sites such as Guge Kingdom, Toding Monastery, Duoxiang Castle etc.

Historical Sites in Ngari Prefecture - Guge Kingdom

Guge Kingdom is a wonder of Ngari Prefecture. In the mid ninth century, the Tubo imperial court came to an end. The offspring of the King Namdam established their own kingdoms and Gyede Nyimagong became the king of Ngari Prefecture. His second son occupied Zarang and established the Guge Kingdom.

In the main ruins of the Guge Kingdom in Zarang, the destroyed city walls and the natural earthen forests exist harmoniously. More than 400 houses and 800 caves scatter on the 3000-meter-high mountain slope. As the capital of Guge Kingdom, the Zarang Ruins cover an area of 720,000 square meters. It is the second largest building complex in Tibet next to the Potala Palace.

The main buildings include the Red Monastery, White Monastery and Mandala Hall. More than 1000-square meters murals on the walls of the Samsara Hall. In addition, the images of Buddha, murals demonstrate such seldom images as other living things and the snakes with a human head are really precious. The caves around the monasteries stored some weaponry and hamlets used by the ancient soldiers.

Historical Sites in Ngari Prefecture - Donggar Ruins

Donggar Ruins is about 40 kilometers to the north of Zanda County seat. There is a newly discovered grotto. It is said to be the largest Buddhist grotto ruins ever found in China. The initial studies show that the Donggar Ruins is one of the eight monasteries built during the reign of Rinchen Sampu of the Guge Kingdom. Built in the tenth century, the monastery was an important political, economic and cultural center of the Guge Kingdom.

On the two-kilometer-wide cliff, there are more than 200 caves. These beehive-like caves look so wonderful and stored some excellent murals. To the north of the ruins are the Piyang Grottos composed of more than 1000 caves.

Historical Sites in Ngari Prefecture - Toding Monastery

Toding Monastery became famous after the Indian senior monk Atisa arrived here after experiencing 10-year hard traveling. He presided the work of the monastery after he arrived here. After that more and more monks came to practice here. The murals in Toding Monastery are of a free, wild and exaggerate style, like the works of Pablo Picasso.

Historical Sites in Ngari Prefecture - Rutog Cliff Carvings

The Rutog Cliff Carvings are discovered in several places along the road from Shiquanhe to Rutog. Renmudong Cliff on the side of the road is of the animals and figures. Simple and rough, they are full of vitality. Qiniaopu Cliff Carvings are rare to find and are only about 70 kilometers from Rutog. Carved on a precipitous cliff, they depict all kinds of animals and figures. The carving are vivid and are of a high artistic value.