Xiuba Ancient Castle: A Millennial Military Secret on the Eastern Tibetan Plateau
Nestled in the Nyang River valley beside National Highway 318 in Gongbo'gyamda County, Nyingchi, stands a cluster of ancient fortresses—the Xiuba Fortress. Located approximately 300 kilometers from Lhasa at an altitude of 3100 meters, it is the best-preserved and largest military fortress complex from the Tubo period in Tibet. Its Tibetan name means "Skinning Fortress," and it is said to have been built during the reign of King Gesar, embodying the millennia-old history and military wisdom of the Gongbo Tibetan people.
The fortress complex consists of five watchtowers of varying heights, arranged in a line along the mountainside. The tallest watchtower reaches over 40 meters, while the shortest is at least 20 meters. The buildings are constructed entirely of stone and wood, with walls built from a mixture of locally sourced stone slabs and clay. Remarkably sturdy without a single nail or rivet, it has withstood over 1600 years of wind and rain. The watchtowers are solidly built, reaching up to 1.5 meters in thickness at their thickest points. They feature observation holes, firing ports, and ventilation openings. The top floor is a platform structure, serving multiple functions including defense, observation, and living quarters. They were important military defensive structures in the ancient Gongbu region.
Each watchtower's architectural details reveal ingenuity. The walls are neatly constructed with tight stone joints, and the corners are curved, enhancing overall stability. The observation holes are cleverly designed, narrow on the outside and wide on the inside, facilitating observation of enemy positions while also providing defensive capabilities. Some watchtowers have wooden staircases inside, leading directly to the top floor, where a low wall surrounds the platform for soldiers to garrison and keep watch. Standing atop the watchtower, one can enjoy panoramic views of the pastoral scenery of the Niyang River valley and the distant snow-capped mountains and forests, easily imagining the magnificent sight of the ancient fortresses once commanding the surrounding area.
The Xiuba Ancient Fortress also possesses profound cultural significance. Legend has it that this was the garrison of a general under King Gesar, and the layout of the ancient castle complex is closely related to the Gesar legend. The tallest watchtower is known as the "Gesar Watchtower." Scattered around the castle are mani stones and prayer flags. Local Tibetans regard the castle as a sacred mountain and holy site, and they come to worship and pray during festivals. Furthermore, the castle preserves relics of ancient weapons and daily necessities, providing valuable material for the study of military affairs, architecture, and customs during the Tubo period.
Today, Xiuba Castle is a 3A-level tourist attraction. Wooden walkways allow visitors to stroll along, touch the weathered textures of the thousand-year-old stone walls, and explore the wisdom of ancient military defense. The surrounding Niyang River offers beautiful scenery, with barley fields and Tibetan-style houses complementing each other. In spring, when peach blossoms bloom, the pink sea of flowers and the ancient castle create a stunning picture; in autumn, the forests are ablaze with color, and the golden and reddish-brown trees add a touch of grandeur to the castle.
This ancient fortress, nestled in the valley of eastern Tibet, is free from the hustle and bustle of excessive commercialization, possessing only the weight of history and the magnificence of nature. It is not only a gem of ancient military architecture but also a living fossil of Gongbo Tibetan culture, standing for millennia to tell the vicissitudes of Tibet and attracting people from all over the world to explore the military legends hidden in the high plateau.