Breathtaking scenery of Litang Photo: Xinhua Net

Litang, is in Sichuan Province in south-west China and has a population of about 50,000. It is also part of the ancient Tibetan province of Kham. The town is a major center of Tibetan culture in Kham and at an elevation of 4100 meters, one of the highest in the world. Litang is a bustling little town with colorful street life thanks to the nomadic shepherds and Tibetan people coming to sell and buy their products. The older parts are situated on the hill slopes to the east, while busy construction works are extending the place into the surrounding grassy plains.

Get in

By bus

The Bus Station is at the southern end of town.

Get around

You can easily visit the town on foot.

Ganden Thubchen Choekhorling Monastery Photo: sichuantour.com

See

Ganden Thubchen Choekhorling Monastery

The monastery is just on the northern edge of town and belongs to the yellow-hat-sect of Tibetan Buddhists. As usual, you are not allowed to take photographs of holy relics inside. The friendly monks will guide you through the main buildings, including some breathtaking views from the temple roofs. The monastery was founded in 1580 by the third Dalai Lama Sonam Gyatso on the site of an older B?n-monastery. There are three main temples in the compound, of which one is currently under construction. The oldest seems to be the one on top of the hill, still featuring the wooden construction of the upper rim of the buildings. Inside, you can view