The most mysterious province in China is undoubtedly Tibet. Every year, countless people travel to Lhasa for pilgrimage, and the mysterious aura of the Potala Palace attracts many tourists. However, due to the high altitude of Lhasa, many people choose to first arrive in Linzhi to adapt to the plateau climate, and then travel to Lhasa. Linzhi has become the first tourist destination in Tibet.

Linzhi boasts beautiful scenery, often referred to as 'Tibet's Jiangnan', and many areas are involved in the Linzhi Peach Blossom Festival. In March, Linzhi is still chilly, but already full of flowers. In the distance, the snow-capped mountains are still covered in snow, and the peach blossoms are vying for beauty like rosy clouds. The delicate peach blossoms, embraced by majestic snow mountains, are infinitely charming. These vibrant peach blossoms reflect the azure sky, a sight to behold. Generally, the best place to view peach blossoms is at Eighteen Lakes, Pomo, Ruo Nu, Mi Hui Glacier, Peach Blossom Village, and Ba Song Lake. However, today we recommend a more niche and secret destination – South Ili Valley.

South Ili Valley is located in the southern part of Linzhi County, Tibet, within the South Ili Laqba Township. It is the Nayi Pu Cu Gorge, situated at the foot of the Himalayas, 20 kilometers from the county seat, with a depth of over 40 kilometers. It is known as 'Tibet's Herb King Valley' and 'Little Jiangnan'. Legend has it that the ancestor of Tibetan medicine, Utso Yun Dangongbu, once practiced alchemy and taught disciples here. South Ili Valley has well-preserved ecological protection, humid climate, and abundant flora and fauna. The average altitude is 2500 meters, and is hailed as 'China's highest level green ecological sanctuary' and 'The highest green sanctuary on Earth.' The scenic area is a combination of Laqba ethnic tourism and ecological tourism area, with numerous visitors.

Even if it's not the season of peach blossom, the scenery here is like a painting, and there are few tourists, as if it were an undeveloped paradise. Here is also the least populous ethnic minority in China – the Laqba. Laqba is the Tibetan name for them, meaning 'Southern People'. The Laqba people in different regions have different self-names. The Laqba people have their own language, without writing, mostly use Tibetan script, Laqba language belongs to the Tibetan-Burmese language family. Over the years, the Laqba people have continued their culture through oral legends passed down through generations. Inside South Ili Valley, you can experience the authentic Laqba style. Visitors can enter Laqba homes, experience Laqba clothing, family decoration, and temples, taste Laqba ethnic cuisine, and watch Laqba people hunting wild chickens and bears from the mountains.

Laqba cuisine often uses stone slabs for cooking. Stone slab grilled meat and grilled fish are the most common dishes. The Laqba ancestors relied on mountains for food, used stone axes to grind grain, and used stone pots to cook. Such long-term preservation of spiritual worship, stone slabs containing various trace elements needed by the human body, stone slab grilling has the characteristics of small smoke and not easy to burn, which is a most ancient, natural and environmentally friendly way of cooking, and is consistent with the modern healthy dietary concept. The Laqba people have a long history of stone slab grilling, which is also one of the secrets to the Laqba people's longevity.

South Ili Valley also has vast areas of virgin forests, and there is a wooden boardwalk through the forest, allowing visitors to walk along the boardwalk, with fresh air, it's a dust-cleaning trip. The wooden boardwalk is 1050 meters long, crossing the original forest deep within the surrounding pastures.

The Pasture Field is located in the deepest part of South Ili Scenic Area. Here is close to the China-India border 'MacMahon Line', with an altitude of over 3000 meters, it's a genuine high-altitude pasture. You can see cows and sheep leisurely roaming in the pasture, and in the distance are snow mountains surrounding, with various trees scattered around, a peaceful and beautiful scene.

The Sandi Island is the best place to view the Nai River, the golden Sandi fruit reflects in the emerald Nai River, between the flow of light, like glass reflects rainbow beauty is breathtaking. Arriving at the Sandi Island, we come to the most beautiful 'Nai Dream'. Enjoying the experience of being in a painting and letting the painting accompany you, a beautiful journey.

Three Trees Scenic Area, as the name suggests, is surrounded by three thousand-year-old trees, and wooden houses and wooden boardwalks were built between them. Visitors can touch and appreciate these trees closely.

The entire area is quite large, and there is a sightseeing car for shuttle, but some deep areas cannot be entered randomly, and when visiting, be sure to carry your ID card.

A long and narrow road leads to a long and long valley; a clear and clear stream nurtures a minority with less than 3,000 people; a valley with fragrant ancient cedar and pine trees, and Tibetan medicine witnesses a minority complete the transition from slash-and-burn agriculture to modern civilization in just five decades. South Ili Valley, a rare tourist destination, a less developed primitive sanctuary, some say that after visiting South Ili Valley, you have truly been to Tibet. You can only feel the true essence of Tibet's beautiful scenery here.

The highest level ecological sanctuary on Earth, hidden in Tibet Linzhi, is China's least populous ethnic minority gathering place, known as 'Tibet's Herb King Valley'!

Travel Information:

Best Time: The best time to travel to Linzhi is from April to October.

Transportation: You can first arrive in Linzhi, then take a private car from Linzhi; or you can charter a car from Linzhi; or you can take a bus from Linzhi to Lan County, and get off the bus at the entrance of South Ili Valley and walk to the scenic area.