Manigango is a single-street town at the edge of grassland near Chola Mountain at the road conjunction of Derge, Sershul and Ashu Grassland. It is a typical Tibetan town in west Sichuan. It was already an important transfer and post station where the caravan fleets stop since the establishment of "Tea-Horse Road" in ancient times. It is considered another cowboy town on the Tibetan Plateau where we may see Khampas riding horses or motorcycles flashing by or drinking gatherings in one of the Tibetan wooden houses. It is good to enjoy the atmosphere: giant dogs wondering in the street and fresh yak meat being put out selling every morning. Open hot springs in the pristine valley 6km outside of Manigango are pleasant treatment with beautiful views around.
Manigango
Manigango
Manigango
Manigango is on National Highway G317 and the intersection of Qinghai and Tibet from Sichuan. Go to north one goes to Sershul and then further on to Qinghai in Yushul. Go to west one gets to Derge and then further into Tibet in Chamdo. Go to south one goes across the ranges of Chola then into the heartland of Maisu and then further to Palpung Monastery, Dzongsar Monastery, Payul and Yarchen Gar, Batang and Litang. Go to east one goes to Ganzi and Dawu and closer to Chengdu.
Chola Mountain is a massif of mountains located in the northern Shaluli Mountain Range. It is home to dozens of high peaks over 5000m and many glaciers, lakes, old monasteries and wild valleys and animals. It is by far one of the least explored regions in Sichuan with stunning nature. The highest peak of Chola soars 6168 meters. Read More >>
Above Manigango
Dzogchen Monastery is situated in Gengda of Dzogchen in northern Derge with an elevation of almost 10000 ft. It is the monastery of Holy Reincarnation. This Nyingmapa monastery is one of the six great Nyingmapa schools in Tibetan Buddhism of Tibet. It was built in 1685 and during the past 300 years, nutured many Buddhist masters. Read More >>
Dzogchen Monastery
Dege Shengxian Valley, also known as the Que'er Mountain Shengxian Valley Scenic Area. Renowned for its waterfalls, spiritual retreat culture, and convenient accessibility, Shengxian Valley beautifully combines natural wonders with a rich cultural atmosphere. Read More >>
Shengxian Valley
Tsotong Lakes are also called Cuotong Cuihu, or Sanlianhu(Three Lakes) or Cuo A Cuihu. It is a cluster of 3 beautiful and turquoise lakes located in Derge of West Sichuan near G317 Highway. Read More >>
Cuotong Lakes
The horse-racing festival in Manigango is quite grand and often recommended as an alternative when the Litang Horse-racing Festival was suspendid. The horse-racing festival in Manigango is in late July and early August.
Manigange is not a busy place even during summer time, a traditionally busy travel season in China. The good season to travel here is from summer to autumn when the weather is warmer.
Manigange itself is a very small town with nothing to see. But it is a necessary and convenient overnight place to set out for further travels to Dzogchen, Chola, Derge, etc. it is not a recommended place for first night if you fly via Ganzi Airport. Someone people find it boring because it feels like a truck driver stop in general while in cold seasons it feels even more boring when the whole town is windy and cold. The nearby (2h drive) Derge town is more interesting to stay and with more choices on food too. Although we highly recommend a night in Manigange for mountain lovers simply because there are much more nature to explore than in Derge Town.
There are only very limited hotels and restaurants available in Manigange.
