Qilin Gorge
In Mucun Village, Qiongzi Township, Dingjie County, Shigatse, on the vast plateau at the northern foot of the Himalayas, lies a deep geological fissure—this is Qilin Gorge. At an altitude of approximately 5,000 meters, 200 kilometers from Shigatse city, it is a geological gem within the Mount Everest Nature Reserve. With its canyon forests sculpted over millions of years and its majestic snow-capped backdrop, it is the most breathtaking "unexpected wonder" along National Highway 219.
The formation of Qilin Gorge is a true miracle of geological evolution. Millions of years ago, this area was part of the ancient Tethys Ocean. With the collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates, the Earth's crust uplifted, forming a plateau. Over millions of years, glacial meltwater eroded and carved the area, and freeze-thawed it, ultimately creating this giant geological fissure, 15 kilometers long, 100-500 meters wide, and 200 meters deep. On both sides of the canyon, thousands of sandstone and conglomerate pillars rise abruptly from the ground, resembling towers or ancient castles, lifelike and anthropomorphic. The exposed cliffs clearly display sedimentary strata from different eras, like an open geological textbook recording the trajectory of the Himalayan orogeny.
The grandeur of the landscape lies in the layered effect of the interplay between heaven and earth. The ochre-red earthen pillars shift in shades under the high-altitude sunlight, creating a striking visual contrast with the distant 8586-meter-high Kangchenjunga peak. The pristine white snow-capped mountains and crimson cliffs form a richly colored painting. In the early morning mist, the earthen forest appears and disappears like a fairyland; at dusk, the canyon is gilded, and the wind echoes through the cracks, whispering tales of millions of years of history. Glacial meltwater flows gently at the bottom of the valley, and occasionally Tibetan antelopes glide by, adding a touch of dynamism to this tranquil haven.
Humanity and ecology coexist harmoniously here. As a model of tourism development combining "farmers + cooperatives + companies," the scenic area has created stable employment for 11 local residents and generated over 1.5 million yuan in village collective dividends in 2023, transforming ecological resources into economic benefits for the people. Scattered along the canyon's edge are mani stones and prayer flags; local Tibetans consider this place the "soul of the earth," and they come annually to offer sacrifices and prayers, adding a sacred veil to the wonders. A wooden boardwalk winds along the canyon, ending at the "Sea Dry, Rocks Unbroken Milk Tea House," arguably the world's highest altitude milk tea shop, providing a place for tourists to rest and enjoy the scenery.
Today, Qilin Gorge requires border pass verification before entering by shuttle bus. The 80 yuan entrance fee includes the shuttle bus fare, and a 2-3 hour visit is sufficient to appreciate its magnificence. Here, there are no bustling crowds, only the vastness of the earth's fissures, the awe-inspiring geological wonders, and the purity of the snowy plateau, allowing every visitor to feel the power of nature and the weight of time as they touch the textures of rocks formed over millions of years.