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Although surrounded by mountain ranges with lofty peaks exceeding 6,000 metres, Daocheng, at a latitude around 28 degrees north, has a pleasant climate. It covers an area of approximately 4,800 square kilometres. It has a population, predominantly Kangba (an ethnic minority related to Tibetan), of less than 30,000. Even today, its only access to the outside world is through a gravel road which branches off a secondary highway connecting the Sichuan-Tibet highway with Yunnan.
What Dr. Rock called "Konkaling territory" is located in the central region of Daocheng, approximately 90 kilometres from the county seat. It is now set aside as a natural reserve. This area is even less accessible than Daocheng itself. Until 1999 there was no road to get there directly. One had to travel on a bumpy road for three hours to a village, and, then ride on horseback for another six hours. (Out here, distance is seldom measured in kilometres but in hours, a more reliable measurement.)
Covered by firs, spruce, and larch, the region is dominated by three peaks all reaching of approximately 6,000 metres. The fifth Dalai Lama visited here in the 17th century and bestowed the honour that these three peaks, named Shennairi, Jambeyong, and Chanadorje by the local Tibetans, were the transformation of the Tibetan Buddhist trinity. Tibetan Buddhist devotees make pilgrimages here and remain the main group of visitors. There are no permanent residents in Konkaling apart from shepherds from surrounding villages, who occasionally pass through the area, and a handful of lamas in Tsengu Gomba, a run-down lamasery that once housed Dr. Rock in the shadow of the snowy peaks.
Quoted from Asian Geographic,(AG) Sept. - Nov. 2000
Written by Liyuan(well known photographer)
◆Itinerary
Day1, meet in Chengdu City
Day2, Chengdu/yaan/Luding/Kangding/Yajiang 495km. it’s a long way. 3 passes: Mt. Erlong, Mt. Zheduo, Mt. Gaer. All paved road.
Day3, Yajiang/Litang/Daocheng 256km, leave the main road at Litang then turn to south, it’s gravel road up to Daocheng. There is a mountain called Haizi in the half way, thousands of big stones dispersed on the ground. It’s quite strange and amazing make you feel just like on the another planet. Daocheng is a town with two streets.
Day4, Daocheng/Yading 90km driving, Yading is a small village. then we start our horse trek. 6 hours to Tsungu Lamasery. You’ll find it’s uncomfortable riding on the cragged path through the Valley. But don’t worry, you will get used to it in the following days. Also the path is the pilgrim road of the Tibetan. The primeval forest in the valley is untouched. And the scene is so cool. Our camp spot is tsungu lamasery just on the foot of Mt. Sannairi. The 1st mountain of the 3 snow peaks.
Day4, half an hour’s hiking upward to Sannairi, there ‘s a beautiful lake called “the Pearl Sea” Lies on the edge of the snow line. Then come back on the horse again. Trekking to Mt. Jamyang. The 3 snow peaks are the holy mountains to the Tibetan. Each one is a symbol of a Buddha. In the afternoon, we visit the 3rd one Mt. Xialuoduoji and the Milk Sea. Back to camp.
Day5, back to Yading, then drive back to Daocheng. Have a spring shower.
Day6, two choice.
One is go to Zhongdian in Yuannan Province. (260km). The transfer by plane to Kunming at next day.
The second is same way back to Kangding. Then back to Chengdu at next day.
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