甘孜

Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture is located in western Sichuan Province, on the southeastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, with an average altitude of over 3,500 meters. It has a plateau monsoon climate, with low temperatures year-round, large diurnal temperature differences, abundant sunshine, and little precipitation. Winters are long and cold, while summers are short and cool.

In ancient times, Garzê was inhabited by the Qiang and Rong peoples. It was part of Tubo during the Tang Dynasty, saw the establishment of the Tusi system in the Yuan Dynasty, and underwent bureaucratic reform in the Qing Dynasty. In 1950, the Xikang Province Tibetan Autonomous Region was established, and in 1955 it was incorporated into Sichuan Province. Historically, it was an important node on the Sichuan-Tibet Tea Horse Road, a place where Han and Tibetan cultures blended.

Garzê is the core area of Khampa culture, featuring unique Tibetan songs and dances, thangka paintings, and Tibetan opera. Local cuisine is represented by tsampa, butter tea, yak meat, and highland barley wine, which are rich in flavor and nutrition.

In recent years, Garzê has vigorously developed tourism, becoming famous for attractions like Daocheng Yading and Hailuogou. Infrastructure construction has accelerated, with airports and highway networks gradually improving. Balancing ecological protection and tourism development, it has become a sought-after destination for domestic and international travelers.