Chongkang Scenic Area: A Tibetan Secret Realm Nestled Among Ancient Forests
Nestled on a plateau on the south bank of the Yarlung Tsangpo River in Chongkang Village, Lang Town, Lang County, Nyingchi, lies a hidden gem combining rich cultural heritage and ecological wonders – the Chongkang Scenic Area. Located at an altitude of 3153 meters, approximately 21 kilometers from the county seat, it centers around the Chongkang Manor, the birthplace of the 13th Dalai Lama, and a thousand-year-old walnut forest. Awarded a National AAA-level scenic area and recognized as a "Beautiful Leisure Village of China," it is an ideal destination for experiencing Tibetan history and pastoral charm.
The scenic area's ecological highlight is its breathtaking thousand-year-old walnut forest. Spanning over 340 acres, the forest boasts more than 200 ancient walnut trees with an average age of 565 years. The oldest tree, having withstood 2100 years of weathering, requires 12 people to encircle it, earning it the Shanghai Great World Guinness title for "Walnut Forest with the Oldest Average Tree Age." The ancient trees, with their lush foliage and verdant canopies, create dappled sunlight beneath their branches. A gentle breeze carries the sweet fragrance of fruit, making it a natural "highland oxygen bar." Scattered throughout the forest are century-old fruit trees, including varieties planted by the 13th Dalai Lama himself, bearing witness to the passage of time.
Chongkang Manor is the cultural heart of the scenic area. Built in 1880, this ancient building covers 7,807 square meters and employs traditional earth, stone, and wood structures, constructed according to the standards of a noble manor. It is now a regional-level cultural relic protection unit. The manor retains its original appearance from the time of the 13th Dalai Lama's birth. Ancient household items and artifacts are displayed among the red walls and gray tiles, while exhibits in the history and culture exhibition hall tell the story of the village's evolution. Ancient trees reach for the sky in the courtyard, their blossoms in spring and fruits in autumn, showcasing the tranquility and profound history of a Tibetan manor. Strolling through it feels like touching the traces of the Tubo descendants' lives.
Folk experiences add warmth to this hidden gem. The scenic area adopts a "Party branch + tourism + farmers" model, offering immersive folk activities: visitors can enjoy the autonomous region-level intangible cultural heritage "Chongxie" dance, participate in the traditional Tibetan archery competition "Bixiu," and witness the villagers' harvest celebrations during the "Wangguo Festival" in the sixth month of the Tibetan calendar, including circumambulating the fields for blessings and horse racing. Now, AR interactive experiences have been introduced, allowing visitors to scan codes to unlock digital cultural and creative products such as virtual prayer wheels and legends of sacred lakes, blending tradition and modernity. The scenic area is free to enter, and stalls at the village entrance are filled with fresh walnuts, matsutake mushrooms, and other agricultural products. Folk-style homestays and local delicacies allow visitors to experience authentic Tibetan life.
Chongkang Scenic Area offers tranquility from crowds, only the serenity of ancient forests, the grandeur of manors, and the vibrancy of folk customs. Protected by ancient trees, bearing the weight of history, and conveying warmth through simple folk customs, it shines as a pearl of cultural tourism integration in southeastern Tibet, nurtured by the Yarlung Tsangpo River, allowing every visitor to immerse themselves in the beauty of this Tibetan land where nature and culture coexist.