Qamdo (昌都) is at the middle point of the Sichuan-Tibetan Highway. Here you will see Dege and Baiyu in Sichuan Province in the east on other side of the river. The southeast of Qamdo is the border with Yunnan Province, the southwest is Nyingchi and the north is Qinghai Province. Since ancient times, Qamdo has been a transportation hub in Tibet. 

Most of the 25 holy mountains in Kang Area are in Qamdo. The first monastery of Tibetan Buddhism’s Geru (格鲁) Sect founded is called Qiangbalin (强巴林寺) and monasteries of other religious sects. Catholic Churches and Islamic Mosques are also here. The scenery is excellent with pure natural beauty. These and the rich historic culture have formed the great resources for tourism. 

It is reminded that the road condition is always no good in Qamdo especially in rainy seasons, collapsing slopes and landslides are often occur then roads will be closed, be psychologically and physically prepared! 

Qiangbalin Monastery (30 RMB) is in Mala Mountain, Qamdo city. You can reach there on foot. It was established in 1444 by Xirao’songbu (喜绕松布) the disciple of Zongkeba (宗喀巴) and the largest monastery in Kang Area. The bronze stamp was honored to Pabala Living Buddha by the Qing Dynasty Emperor Kangxi in 5^th month of 58^th year of his reign is still kept in the monastery. 

Five generations of living Buddha had been lived in the Qiangbalin Monastery with twelve divine rooms. More than 5,000 monks had been living inside and it had 70 subsidiary monasteries during its heydays. Pabala Gelielangjie, deputy chairperson of the China People’s Political Consultative Committee is the 11^th Living Buddha of the monastery. 

The much of the architecture in the monastery is well preserved. Inside the scripture hall, hundreds of sculptures of Buddha and dignitary hierarches with about an area of 1,000 square meters of mural as well as Thangka paintings. The images of “Guqing” (古庆) Dancing God in the Qiangbalin Monastery are well known in Tibetan Plateau with their ferocious looking masks and majestic gestures with grand spectacular of dancing scenes. It is unique in the Tibetan Buddhism for its religious Qamdo dancing drama. 

Lamas there have a tradition that they want the pilgrims come here to pray silently and walk round the monastery thrice, if you would to walk more you must go round in odd number, e.g. 15 or 21 times, your prayer will be effective. 

Deqingpozhang Holy Mountain (德庆颇章神山) is about 30 km to Leiwuqi (类乌齐) Town. The mountain is not so high and without any highway to get there, but it is a good place for walking and sightseeing. On the 15^th day on the 6^th month of Tibetan Calendar every year, people will be in festive costume, bringing food and wine with their loved ones going the mountain for pilgrimage. 

Boluojirong Canyon (波罗吉荣大峡谷) is located on the border between Tongpu Village (同普乡) of Jiangda County (江达县) and Boluo Village (波罗乡) at a distance of 25km from downtown Boluo. 

With a length of 5km, various high peaks and cliffs surround the Boluojirong Canyon. The Duoqu River (多曲河) in the canyon has sceneries such as the legendary giant stone chesses that Gesa’er (格萨尔) had played, the heavenly bridge of Zhumu (珠姆) and the stone carved Buddha images. There is a difficult cave on the mountainside that the locals called it the “Cave of Descending Demon Gesa’er”. 

The Grand Chajiema Temple (查杰玛大殿) is in Leiwuqi, 30km far from downtown. Chajiema is the oldest and largest temple in Qamdo area. It is well known for its grand, majestic air, rich resources in Buddhism images and scriptures. Other cultural relics are such as the legendary saddle and sword that Gesa’er had used, Vajra-Basod Buddha statue, Thangkas from the Ming and Qing Dynasties and gold figures etc. In the past local people said, “We should visit Jokhang Temple first and then to Chajiema Temple”, you may know how famous it has been.