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. One may be invited into one of the Tibetan families in the town to sip a cup of yak buttered tea by the hospitable Tibetan people here. Open hot springs in the pristine valley 6 km outside of Manigango are pleasant treatment with beautiful views around.
Manigango is 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. 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.
Gonsha Monastery is located in Zhongzhake in Derge near Manigango. It is the first Gelugpa monastery in Kham. It was until the 17th century when Gelugpa was introduced into Kham of Tibet. The fifth Dalai Lama sent one of his disciples to Kham to construct the famous 13 Huo'er Monasteries. The project was assisted by local hereditary headmen in Derge. Gelugpa school spred in Derge when many other affiliate monasteries were built after Gonsha Monastery. Gosha was opened by government order in the year of 1983.
Manigango
Manigango
Manigango
Manigango
Recommended time of visit1 h or 1 Day
Ticket Information: Free of charge
Business Hour: All Day
