Maoya Grand Grasslands

Maoya Grand Grasslands
毛垭大草原

One of the most spacious natural pastures in the Kangba area, the Maoya Grand Grasslands are located in Litang county, in the Garze Tibetan autonomous prefecture, Sichuan province. Surrounded by mountains on all sides, the grasslands are nourished by melt water from the Yimugongxia Snow Mountain to the south, as well as being run through by the Wuliang River, by which are numerous wetlands and swamps.

The Maoya Grasslands feature a rich, mountainous plateau and are abundant in vegetation, including precious herbs like Caterpillar fungus (cordyceps sinensises), fritillaria and ginseng fruits. The yaks that feed there are bigger and produce higher milk yields, thanks to local high-quality forages. As the largest Gelug sector lamasery in the Kangba area, the Litang Monastery holds annual grand Buddhist ceremonies and sacrificial activities to the mountain gods, in the sixth month on the Tibetan calendar.

Best times to visit: July to August
Major attractions: The Wuliang River, Litang Monastery