Litang county or someimtes spelled Lithang is located 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 is at an elevation of 4000m, it is one of the highest county town in the world. The town sits at the edge of wide grassland valley, surrounded by tall grassy hills that are often populated by yak and nomadic herders. This topography offers expansive views from many places in town.
The gate of Litang
Several Dalai Lamas where born here and lived in the local monastery located just outside the town on a hillside. The birthplace is turned into a temple at the center of the old town of Lithang county. It is three stores building with golden tiles on the roof, represents the importance of the place.
The birthplace of Seventh Dalai Lama in Lithang
Litang is a bustling little place with colorful street life to the nomadic shepherds and Tibetan people coming here to sell and buy their products. The old town of Lithang is situated at the bottom of small hill on the north . The the center of old town is Seventh Dalai Lama’s birth place. The door may not open but you can see local pilgrims are doing kora around this place. Late afternoon is good time as they are more locals to come kora after working day. The whole old town is redesigned with tourism with nicely decorated. It’s a beautiful place to spend afternoon here.
Street of old town of Litang County
About 50meters away from Seventh Dalai Lama’s birthplace is the newly built Khampa Museum, a small but nice nomadic culture based museum. It is worthwhile to pay a visit.
The county has 49 monasteries, of which 26 are Gelukpa tradition, 15 are Sakya, 7 are Nyingma and one Yungdrung Duduling is Bon tradition.The biggest monastery in this county is Litang Monastery which is located on the hillside in the east of town.
Lithang Monastery in Litang, Ganzi Prefecture.
The town is expanding dramatically, many of the new buildings are being constructed in the traditional local style and few new hotels are built with 3 star level of facilities.
Khampa Museum in Litang County, Sichuan
Litang is also celebrating an annual seven days Litang Horse Racing Festival, which nowadays begins on the 1st August, is a great colourful spectacle, attracting visitors from all parts of Kham and even from oversea. Litang Horse Race Festival includes opening ceremony on first day. Horse Racing and trotting, equestrian skill on the second day. Folk songs and dance on third day. Dance competition on fourth day, Costume show and costume dance competition on fifth day and closing ceremony on sixth day.
Lithang is one of the main place travel overland from Kham regions to Tibet and there are many Chinese tourists traveling from Sichuan to Tibet through Lithang.
Litang Monastery Admission : Free
Khampa Museum Admission: 10Y per person
Seventh Dalai Lama residence Admission: Free
