Litang County

Litang County: The World’s Highest Town and Birthplace of Dalai Lamas

Litang County, sometimes spelled Lithang, is located in the southwest of Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan Province. It is also part of the ancient and historic Tibetan province of Kham. The town of Litang sits at an elevation of 4,000m, making it one of the highest county towns in the world. The town is situated at the edge of a wide grassland valley, surrounded by tall grassy hills that are often populated by yaks and nomadic herders. This topography offers expansive views from many places in town.

The gate of Litang

Historical and Spiritual Significance

Several Dalai Lamas were born here and lived in the local monastery located just outside the town on a hillside. The birthplace has been converted into a temple at the center of the old town of Litang County. It is a three-story building with golden tiles on the roof, representing the importance of this sacred place.

Old Town and Cultural Attractions

Litang is a bustling little place with colorful street life where nomadic shepherds and Tibetan people come to sell and buy their products. The old town of Litang is situated at the bottom of a small hill to the north. The center of the old town features the Seventh Dalai Lama’s birthplace. The door may not be open, but you can observe local pilgrims performing kora (circumambulation) around this place. Late afternoon is an ideal time to visit, as more locals come to perform kora after their working day. The entire old town has been redesigned for tourism and is beautifully decorated, making it a lovely place to spend an afternoon.

About 50 meters away from the Seventh Dalai Lama’s birthplace is the newly built Khampa Museum, a small but excellent museum focused on nomadic culture. It is definitely worth a visit.

The birthplace of Seventh Dalai Lama in Lithang

Monastic Heritage

The county has 49 monasteries, of which 26 belong to the Gelukpa tradition, 15 are Sakya, 7 are Nyingma, and one, Yungdrung Duduling, follows the Bon tradition. The largest monastery in this county is Litang Monastery, which is located on the hillside east of town.

Modern Development

The town is expanding dramatically, with many new buildings being constructed in traditional local style. Several new hotels have been built with 3-star level facilities, accommodating the growing number of visitors.

Street of old town of Litang County

Litang Horse Racing Festival

Litang also celebrates an annual seven-day Litang Horse Racing Festival, which now begins on August 1st. This colorful spectacle attracts visitors from all parts of Kham and even from overseas. The festival schedule includes:

• Day 1: Opening ceremony
• Day 2: Horse racing, trotting, and equestrian skills demonstrations
• Day 3: Folk songs and dance performances
• Day 4: Dance competitions
• Day 5: Costume shows and costume dance competitions
• Day 6: Closing ceremony

Strategic Location

Litang is one of the main stops for overland travel from the Kham region to Tibet, and many Chinese tourists travel from Sichuan to Tibet through Litang, making it an important waystation on this historic route.

Visitor Information

• Litang Monastery Admission: Free
• Khampa Museum Admission: 10 yuan per person
• Seventh Dalai Lama Residence Admission: Free

Khampa Museum in Litang County, Sichuan

A High-Altitude Cultural Gem

Litang represents a perfect blend of spiritual significance, nomadic culture, and natural beauty. Its position as one of the world’s highest towns, combined with its role as the birthplace of important Dalai Lamas and its vibrant festival traditions, makes it an essential destination for understanding Tibetan culture and the unique adaptations of high-altitude life on the Tibetan Plateau.