Kham Tibet

In 2017, we spent 3 weeks hiking around Garzê (or Ganzi), a Tibetan autonomous region in the province of Sichuan in southwest China.

Caught between modern dreams and traditions, our local guides offered some fascinating insights.

Garzê county (Tibetan: དཀར་མཛེས་ Kandze)

甘孜藏族自治州

Located near the borders of Myanmar, India, and Bhutan, the region is part of the ancient Kham Tibet.

Chinese New Year in the Tibetan village of Jiaju (Danba, Sichuan)

Every year, villagers hike up a sacred mountain to gather with their entire family for a “picnic“ outdoor. As a tradition, everyone is invited to “walk around the stupa” (转山) and burn incense.

The event is also a matchmaking opportunity where young men and women got a chance to meet. That explains why everyone is looking good!

Jiaju villagers hike up the mountain to celebrate the CNY with their family

To celebrate the new year, local villagers gather to walk around the stupa several times. It’s actually the local version of Tinder!

We almost blend in wearing traditional outfit

The new year "picnic"

Traditional Tibetan house in Jiaju

Tibetan “saucisson” with Yak meat

Our guide's house converted into a B&B

Mount Gongga (贡嘎山)

Mount Gongga, also known as Minya Konka has an elevation of 7,556 m above sea level.

shiny new temples and overpriced incense

Niu Bei Shan / Cattle back mountain (牛背山)

At 3660 meters above sea level, this was a new hiking trail newly opened to the public. Stunning views and icy path.

After spending the night in a refuge, we woke up at 4 AM to hike up to the viewpoint and got rewarded by a panoramic view above the clouds.