Ruins of the Guge Kingdom, Tibet | A kingdom that disappeared overnight.

The ruins of the Guge Kingdom are located in Zanda County, Ngari Prefecture, Tibet. It is an ancient castle with a history of thousands of years. The architecture here is unique and full of mystery. You can see ancient temples, palaces, city walls, and caves, as if they are still telling the story of its former glory. After the fall of the Tubo Kingdom, Tibet was in a state of division for a long time. The descendants of Langdarma established regimes in different regions, among which the Ali royal family had the greatest influence and the richest historical heritage. After Jide Nimagun ruled Ali, his second son, Zhaxi Gun, conquered Xiangxiong and established the Guge Kingdom. According to records, the Guge Kingdom was passed down for sixteen generations, and the ancient castle of Zanda was gradually expanded from the 10th to the 16th century. In 1633, the upper monks of Guge joined forces with the Ladakh royal family to overthrow the Guge Kingdom. The once prosperous Guge Palace gradually declined, weathered by wind and rain, and has stood the test of time. Ticket information: CNY 65/person (ticket) CNY 20/person (shuttle bus) Opening hours: 09:00–19:00 Altitude: 3,889m Photography: As long as there is sunlight, you can take great photos. Drones can be used outside. Tour route: Walk from the bottom to the top. The lower section is where the residents lived, the middle section is the temples and earthen houses, and the top of the mountain is the palace where the king lived and the former market. After visiting, continue to walk up to a large platform where you can sit and rest. After a short rest, continue up the path through two tunnels, and you will reach the top of the mountain. The temple on the top of the mountain is not open to the public, but you can take photos and enjoy the spectacular scenery. You need to return the same way to go down the mountain. Tips: 1. Border pass: Apply for a border pass in advance. Bring your ID card and border pass with you in the Ali area for inspection. 2. Sun protection: Pay special attention to sun protection. Sunscreen, hats, and other sun protection tools are essential. 3. The altitude is relatively high, and you need to walk to attractions such as the Guge Kingdom. Be aware of altitude sickness.