Luobozhai

Luobuzhai, 15 kilometers from Wenchuan County, sits over 2,000 meters above sea level. It's the oldest Qiang village discovered in the world, built entirely of yellow mud. There's no entrance fee, only parking. The winding mountain road is in excellent condition, winding up for a few kilometers, and with careful driving, you'll have no trouble reaching it. The village was severely damaged in the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake and is now mostly uninhabited. The government helped the villagers rebuild a new Luobuzhai about 1 kilometer from the site. As we toured the village, we saw thousands of years old yellow mud-tiled houses and ruined walls. Aside from the occasional Qiang woman selling small items, the village was peaceful and tranquil. Behind the village, there's a spectacular observation deck overlooking the Minjiang Grand Canyon—a must-see!

It's worth a visit. I didn't have high hopes at first because it seemed that the road was smooth and it was almost the Dragon Boat Festival that day so there was a bit of a traffic jam. Later I only went to the old village on the way up and was not interested in the new village. It really had an ancient feel. When I got to the top, the wind was so strong and it was so comfortable that I didn't want to leave while sitting there. It's not commercialized and there is no entrance fee. In short, everything is good and one day is enough. There was just a traffic jam on the way down the mountain 😄 Highly recommended!

The scenery was more beautiful than I had imagined. The roadside was almost entirely lined with cherries, which were very tempting. Some were still green, and I even saw fruits that looked like prunes. Could it be that Wenchuan prunes will be available soon? 😋

The traffic is a bit bad. There is a landslide and there is only one lane for traffic in both directions. It is all thanks to the enthusiastic locals who direct the traffic. Thumbs up for them👍

I've been to Luobozhai four times this year and every visit is different. April is cherry blossom season, so every visit brings a different surprise.

If you have time when you are in Aba Prefecture, you may want to visit Luobuzhai, especially since it has been beautifully rebuilt after the 2008.5.12 earthquake.

I don’t know if it’s because of the rain and landslides, or the bad economy, but there are almost no tourists in the village.

Now everyone in the village has moved to the new village, and the old village is only for tourists to visit.

The village is full of uninhabited houses, now overgrown with various plants. There are also many earthquake relics.

The air is very good. But the way up the mountain is very dangerous⚠️.

The way down the mountain was not easy to walk on. The good road was destroyed.

We wandered around for a long time before we found it

The old village has a beautiful view. The new village has dining and entertainment facilities.

The villagers are very simple and kind and are very helpful in showing us the way.

It's not as beautiful as I imagined... The folk customs are no longer as simple and honest. With its fame and commercialization, it has lost its rural atmosphere... However, the old village is still suitable for taking photos and is suitable for artistic boys and girls to check in.

The ancient Luobo Village boasts a unique architectural style. Nearly every building in the central area is interconnected, stacked in a staggered pattern. Rooftops practically connect, and the rooftops of one house can house dozens, or even hundreds, of other houses. The village's network of alleyways could be considered the oldest marketplace of the ancient Qiang people, serving as a fortified defense against enemies. The ancient and simple customs of Luobo Village are truly moving. Every household leaves its doors unlocked at night, and no one steals on the street. Entering Luobo Village feels like entering a Garden of Eden in the clouds.

Come, let's eat the whole lamb, dance Sharon around the bonfire

Very beautiful, very lucky, the weather was also very good that day

The scenery along the way is magnificent, the air is fresh, and the environment is beautiful. I chose a farm stay. The owner is a young and honest guy and the communication is very straightforward.

Luobuzhai is the world's largest and oldest yellow mud Qiang village discovered to date. Known as "China's No. 1 Qiang Village" and "a market place in the clouds, the capital of the ancient Qiang kings," Luobuzhai is located approximately 15 kilometers from the urban area of Yanmen Township, Wenchuan County, at an altitude of over 2,000 meters. As the largest village in the Qiang area, Luobuzhai is known as the "market place in the clouds" and the "capital of the ancient Qiang kings," boasting a history of over 4,500 years. Originally constructed with defense in mind, the village was constructed as a three-tiered, interconnected military fortress with interconnected upper, middle, and lower levels, creating a nearly unified village. Unlike the typical stone watchtowers of Qiang areas, the houses in Luobuzhai are constructed of yellow mud and wood from the mountaintops, a unique feature in the Minjiang River Gorge.

The towering Minshan Mountains, perfectly shaped by nature, cast a shadow over the precipitous, vicissitudes of life, and majestic Minjiang Grand Canyon. Amidst the emerald blue sky, drifting white clouds, and the soaring wings of eagles, a vast ancient castle, covering 100 hectares, stands like a celestial ornament, scattered among the towering mountains. This is Luobuzhai, the world's largest and oldest discovered yellow mud Qiang village, brimming with pristine charm.

May and June are the peak seasons for picking cherries in Wenchuan. For purchases, meals, accommodation, entertainment, and bonfire parties, please contact me. My own farmhouse number is 15983726076 (Summer Resort). Please make an appointment in advance during peak season.

A light rain fell on the day we arrived at Luobuzhai, but it didn't dampen the village's authentic flavor or the post-earthquake atmosphere. The mountains and plains were covered in snow, reminiscent of a fairytale. We passed by a farmhouse in Suoqiao Village, where we could cook over a wood fire, enjoying the authentic flavors of the farm. It was a truly satisfying experience on this trip to Chengdu.

Luobuzhai (Luobuzhai) is located in the mountains near Yanmenguan Town, Wenchuan County, Aba Prefecture, less than 10 kilometers from Wenchuan County. ("Wazige" in Qiang language) is known as the "City on the Clouds" due to its higher altitude than other Qiang villages. Luobuzhai is the oldest loess Qiang village in my country and the only one in Aba Prefecture without Qiang watchtowers. At the westernmost end of Luobuzhai lies the ruins of the Dongyue Temple, offering a spectacular view of the Minjiang Tibetan-Qiang Corridor.

Luobuzhai has preserved the most pristine culture of the Qiang people, known as the "living fossil"—the Shibi culture. Shibi culture is a mysterious and ancient religious tradition. Because the Qiang people have their own language but no written language, the transmission of Qiang history through generations has relied on oral traditions, and those who understand this tradition are called "Great Shibi."

The most important traditional festival of the Qiang people is the Qiang New Year. It falls on the first day of the tenth lunar month each year. The Qiang New Year in Luobo Village has the following highlights:

1. Qiang Sacrifice: During the Qiang New Year, every household gathers at home and uses flour to make sacrifices in various shapes of calves, lambs, chickens, etc. to worship their ancestors and gods.

2. Qiang Wine-Smashing Song: This traditional singing form, performed during the New Year's Festival, involves singing in duets. The host and the guest sit side by side, taking turns singing. The song features a slow tempo and melodious melody, with high-pitched voices and a gentle, drawn-out tone, embodying an elegant, simple, and graceful style.

3. Qiang Guozhuang Dance: The Qiang Guozhuang Dance is the most popular dance during the Qiang New Year. During the dance, men and women exchange positions while singing and falling, creating a warm and joyful atmosphere for the festival.

4. Qiang Ancient Musical Instruments: During Guozhuang or Zajiu (a traditional Chinese wine-drinking ritual), the Qiang people play their most ancient instrument, the Qiang flute. They also play small gongs, handbells, suonas, sheepskin drums, huqins, and mouth harps. These instruments can be played, plucked, or plucked to create unique folk tunes, bringing joy to the festivalgoers.

In Wenchuan Luobo Village, besides the performances of the Qiang Dashibi and the ancient Qiang village, the local cuisine is also a major feature:

Qiang Sausages and Bacon: The sausages and bacon at Luobo Village are made from wild boars raised by the locals. After a multi-step cooking process, they are smoked on a stove. The flavor is truly delicious. Of course, Luobo Village is not complete without its radishes, which are sweet, crisp, tender, and juicy.

2. Walnut Blossoms: Walnut blossoms are a must-try when visiting Luobo Village. These blossoms, light brown or dark black, are often served cold, though some are stir-fried. They're truly delicious! Since walnut blossoms are a seasonal delicacy, they're sold dried, typically priced around 70 yuan per kilo.

3. Roasted Whole Lamb: The goats at Luobo Village are all free-range goats, so the flavor is better, the meat is more tender, and the fat is richer. The price of roasted whole lamb is not too high, about 50 yuan per catty.

If the weather is good, you can enjoy the night sky at Luobozhai. The farmhouses are clean and tidy. The price is generally around 120 yuan per room. Breakfast is included.

The road winds up the mountain, the scenic spot is deserted, there are few people, I don't like the hustle and bustle, the scenery is good, the viewing platform is great, the village is quite distinctive, but many houses are not maintained, which is a pity, there is no strong commercial atmosphere, only a few locals sell things, the infrastructure is not good

Radish Village... a village that has nothing to do with radishes, yet the mountains are covered in cherries. Go there in season for all sorts of delicious food. A unique Qiang village. The old village is empty and full of chatter, while the new village is full of vendors.

Overall it's worth a visit, the view from the top of the mountain is spectacular.

Luobozhai is a simple Qiang village in the mountains outside Wenchuan, without a strong commercial atmosphere. It was an unexpected surprise on the trip.

The blue sky, the white clouds, the simple father, mother, brothers and sisters, the village on the clouds, the paradise in the clouds.

The Qiang village we live in is called Erma Yunjian.

When we left, the elder sister gave us a backpack she embroidered herself, and the elder brother gave us a bag of dendrobium. Thinking about how he tied himself up with a rope on the cliff and risked his life to get back, I was deeply moved:-*

My sister said that the red plums would be ripe before National Day, and asked us to go play again.

Wow, I will definitely go there when I have time. It is a beautiful place with a simple and honest people.

Luobozhai has beautiful scenery and fresh air.

The scenery is beautiful and charming, but the local over-commercialization makes people helpless

Pick cherries at Wenchuan Luobuzhai, with accommodation and dining options, and experience farm life.

Yesterday was Children's Day, so my husband and I decided to take the kids cherry picking. We figured that besides cherry picking, there's also Huangni Qiang Village to explore. So, we headed to Luobo Village. The road to Luobo Village is winding and narrow, but thankfully, my husband is a pretty good driver. It's not like some people say it takes 40 minutes to drive 10 kilometers. As long as there's no illegal parking, rushing to catch the car, or driving without following traffic, it's only a little over ten minutes inside the village. There are plenty of cherry vendors along the way up the mountain, and you can pick your own cherries for anywhere from 8 to 20 yuan. After all, you get what you pay for! Personally, I think it's better to buy cherries from vendors on the way up. Cherries from the village itself aren't as fresh or tasty as those sold on the roadside. Inside the village, I even saw unripe cherries being sold—yellow with a hint of pink—for 13 or 15 yuan per pound. I ate one, and it was still sour.

The old village is at the bottom, and the new village is at the top. The two villages are interconnected, but I prefer the old village; it's more unique and less crowded. The Qiang King's Palace is located in the old village, and there's no entrance fee. The new village is more commercialized, with farmhouses and vendors all located in the new area. There's a parking area near the new village's observation deck, and there's no fee!

The people in the village are very warm and simple.

Luobuzhai is the largest and oldest yellow mud Qiang village discovered in the world so far. It is famous throughout the world for being "the first Qiang village in China" and "the street market on the clouds and the ruins of the ancient Qiang king".

May and June are peak season for picking Wenchuan cherries.

Huangni Qiang Village, the oldest known village in China, nestles against the Minshan Mountains, with the Minjiang River flowing through its foothills. Little known to the outside world, it boasts the Qiang King's Palace, Ming Dynasty walls, remnants of the 5.12 earthquake, and a panoramic view of the Minjiang Gorge. It is now divided into the Old Village and the New Village. The New Village was relocated from the Old Village after the earthquake, while the Old Village represents the original Huangni Qiang Village, which was severely damaged in the 5.12 earthquake.

Transportation: The road is about 10 kilometers from Wenchuan County, winding uphill with many turns, so it is recommended that drivers drive carefully.

A small Qiang village is located on the top of a mountain. It takes half an hour to drive up. The older people living there communicate in Qiang language. It has many characteristics, but it is a little desolate and lonely.

I was fortunate enough to take a peek into the Tibetan villages.

Highly recommended! The village is not well-known, so there are relatively few tourists. Only a few local Sichuanese people go there. If you want to stay, you can book it online in advance. We stayed in a triple room in a single-family house with three separate rooms. Since there are not many people staying there, you can choose the house. The elderly in the village don't speak Mandarin very well, so you need to listen carefully. In the morning, there will be a sea of clouds on the viewing platform! It's very beautiful. If you get up early, you can catch up with the elderly in the village buying their own fruits.

The village winds up the mountain and has a long history. It is divided into the old village and the new village. Maybe because it is not the tourist season, it is very deserted.

A street market on the clouds, the remains of the ancient Qiang King, a great place to pick cherries!

The only purpose of going to Luobo Village is to eat cherries. The higher you go up the mountain, the more cherry trees there are. If the weather is good, you can pick them yourself. There are many accommodations in the village. It is best to book in advance during the peak season. Generally, it costs 80 yuan per person, including two meals.

After driving 10km on a winding mountain road, we finally arrived at Luobo Village, the legendary Qiang village above the clouds. Luobo Village is roughly divided into two parts. One part is the new area. The houses newly built after the 5.12 earthquake are mainly inns and restaurants. When the inn owners see tourists, they will ask if you want to stay or have a meal. I don’t like such enthusiastic attitude. The other part is the earthquake ruins. It is basically a few ruins of earthen walls. It is worth mentioning that the Qiang King’s Mansion is not very big. Everyone who enters the house needs to pay an entrance fee of about 10 yuan per person. There is also a special person to explain the entrance.

It's worth going to Luobozhai. You can roast a whole lamb and play mahjong in the evening. The owner of the farmhouse is nice and the accommodation conditions are great.

The scenery of the Minjiang Grand Canyon is stunning, and the old yellow mud houses are worth reminiscing about.

The snow scenery is very beautiful. There are many farmhouses on the mountain and no fixed parking spaces. When we went there, we parked our car outside the observation deck, but when we left, several local teenage boys stopped us and asked for parking fees. When we refused to pay, an argument broke out.

It is divided into the old village and the new village. It is very beautiful. There is snow on the mountain.

In October 2015, I visited Luobozhai, Wenchuan, China's only highland loess Qiang village. With blue skies and white clouds, the village seemed to float on clouds. (The Minjiang Grand Canyon viewing platform is also available.) Interested readers can read my travelogue, "A Qiang Village on the Clouds—Lubozhai, Wenchuan."

The largest existing Qiang settlement in China;

The most typical and intuitive site of the Wenchuan earthquake;

The street market known as "Heaven";

A great viewing point overlooking the Minjiang Grand Canyon;

Luobozhai has many elements worth remembering and exploring, making it a must-see for those interested. Today, Luobozhai is divided into the Old Village and the New Village. The Old Village, a section restored on the site of the earthquake, is now open to tourists. The New Village is a residential area newly built after the earthquake, primarily offering food and accommodation for tourists.

What is particularly touching is that the people here are so simple and kind.

It is recommended to choose to stay in "Muto Village" at the foot of the mountain, as the conditions are better in all aspects.

Special reminder: The only road up the mountain winds around the cliffs, so you must be careful when driving.

Whether in terms of geographical location, historical culture, architectural style or folk customs, Luobo Qiang Village is more distinctive than many other Qiang villages in the Wenlimao area. More importantly, there is no entrance fee here.

It's pretty good. It would be even better if you wait until the cherries are ripe.

The sky is blue and the clouds are white, the air is fresh, the environment is pleasant, suitable for cleansing the lungs, the people are simple and the scenery is picturesque.

Arriving at the foot of Luobuzhai Mountain, the road up the mountain is 10 kilometers long and it winds around the mountain. It feels like driving into the clouds, so close at hand. The air is very fresh. Luobuzhai is divided into the old village and the new village. After the earthquake in 2008, all the residents moved to the new village. There were 44 casualties and the old village is almost uninhabited anymore, but the nearby farmland is still being cultivated.

Starting from Li County, continue along G317, passing through villages and villages, passing Xuecheng and Qiangren Valley, then return to G213 in Wenchuan and drive north for about 10 kilometers. You will see the sign of the Luobuzhai scenic area on the roadside. Luobuzhai is known as the street market in the clouds, and it lives up to its name.

The 5.12 earthquake caused severe damage to the village.

In my opinion, Luobuzhai is a place where commercial and natural environments blend well. The weather in the village is beautiful, with blue skies and white clouds. The location itself is also excellent, offering distant views of the mountains and snow-capped peaks across from the blue sky. On the way to the old village, the authentic Qiang architecture exudes a sense of nature. The winding paths offer endless small scenes, and practically every turn presents a new composition, making for excellent photographs of both the scenery and people. The old village is now uninhabited, but many of the houses and roads are still intact. A detour offers views of the Minshan Grand Canyon. In the new village, many local families have converted their homes into farmhouses, featuring elegantly decorated homes with ethnic flair and meticulously maintained. Accommodation and meals are convenient and clean, and some homes can even be rented out entirely. If you're staying in Chengdu, Luobuzhai is a great weekend getaway. Due to our tight schedule, we only had a brief visit to Luobuzhai, but we still managed to capture some beautiful photos. I plan to return soon.

Luobozhai is the largest and oldest Huangni Qiang village to date, brimming with pristine charm. In the past two years, Luobozhai has seen an influx of tourists, and a vibrant agritourism has flourished here. We recommend Qiangzhai Jiudawan (Tel: 187-8373-5882), a popular spot for local specialties like cherries and crispy pears. It's well worth a visit.

Since it's not Wenchuan cherry (Che plum) season, there aren't many visitors! There's no entrance fee, and parking is free if you park directly at the old village! This is a rare place where you can experience the most authentic Qiang culture.

The entire Luobu Village is lined with beautiful low adobe houses, with white stones and sheep heads adorning the walls of the watchtowers. Everything is so fresh. After the first snow, the setting sun shines on the village, making you marvel at the magnificent Qiang village nestled in the clouds...

Accommodation in Luobozhai is easy to find. The price is 80 per person, including dinner and breakfast. The accommodation conditions are very average, but the food is good. They are all dishes cooked by the farmers themselves and wild vegetables picked from the mountains, as well as their own sausages and bacon. They are all local pork, which you can't get in the city even if you want to. In the morning, they serve local eggs and steamed buns made by kneading dough at home in the early morning, which has a very homely feel. Luobozhai, Yusan, I went there in 2011. At that time, the mountain road leading to the village had collapsed, and fewer people went there. Two years have passed, and more and more people have known about this. This is the only ancient Qiang village still built with yellow mud. In addition, the government has renovated the road. Next week is the annual Cherry Festival, and there will be many tourists, but it is still acceptable. Fortunately, the people in the village are still simple and have not lost their original flavor.

We asked the locals about the origins of Luobo Village and heard two versions. One is that Luobo Village was formerly called Fenghuang Village. Once, a foreign invader invaded the village. The village chief, relying on his bravery and the unique geographical advantages of the village, led the people to fight the enemy bravely, making it impossible for the enemy to take the village. Unfortunately, the enemy finally conquered the village and chopped off the village chief's head like a radish. To commemorate the village chief, later generations renamed the village Luobo Village. Another version says that when the Red Army arrived, there was no food to entertain the soldiers, and only radishes were edible. Later, the Red Army liberated the village and named it Luobo Village to commemorate the Red Army's heroic resistance. I have no way of verifying the truth of these two versions. If you want to know, please ask the experts yourself.

The next morning, after breakfast, we set off for our final stop on this journey: Luobozhai. Luobozhai is known as the "marketplace on the clouds, the ancient capital of the Qiang kings." The road to Luobozhai is winding, so those with acrophobia will definitely hold their toes tightly. Haha.

A street market nestled in the clouds, the remains of the ancient Qiang King's capital. It was here that I first saw snow-capped mountains. Haha. It truly feels like a fairyland.

The circumambulation road leading to Luobuzhai was a thrilling experience. The lyrics, "The mountain roads here are like eighteen bends, and the waterways here are like nine intertwined loops," perfectly capture the scene. The road is filled with countless sharp turns and steep slopes, and it's only two lanes. Parked cars, unable to make the journey up the mountain, make the road even narrower. Want to practice your driving skills? Come to the village and give it a try! It was Saturday, cherry season, and everyone from the surrounding area, especially the fun-loving Chengdu crowds, had flocked to the mountain. The crowds were incredibly high, a stark contrast to yesterday!

The road to Luobuzhai is so steep, there are 10 kilometers of winding mountain roads. Along the way, I also took pictures of the broken mountains and rivers, and the landslides and mudslides were very serious.

Finally we reached Luobo Village. The vanguard had almost finished playing, so we just had to take pictures quickly. After playing for about 20 minutes, we chartered a car and headed to Longxi Township.

This is the Qiang village.

The fields are full of fruit trees, but I don't know what they are. Some say they're cherry trees, others say they're apple trees. You can imagine how beautiful they must be when they're in bloom.

Since we had plenty of time, we included Luobuzhai in our itinerary for the first day. This Qiang village located on the top of the mountain is quite nice and worth a visit.

Luobuzhai, the castle in the sky, is worth a visit.

In the old village, those patches of green are all cherry trees, and the red cherries are hiding in the green.

After getting off the bus at the entrance of the old village, we started to walk up from the old village. The small gravel road was very clean, and the narrow alleys were scattered in an orderly manner. The spring rain made us feel like we had traveled through time and space back to the ancient and mysterious primitive tribe. It was so romantic and mysterious. It was a pity that we didn’t go to Yunduo Qiang.

Because the original Luobo Village was destroyed in the 2008 earthquake, I heard from the locals that this village is not the most original one. However, I really didn't expect that I would like this village so much.

It is said to be the largest and oldest Huangni Qiang Village discovered in the world so far. This village is almost entirely made up of Qiang homes, where you can eat and stay.

The village where civilization was left behind in the world is so intoxicating and fascinating. It does not have the prosperity of intoxicating wealth, but it floats in the clouds.

Friends who want to come to Luobozhai can contact me for information on food, accommodation, and more. Phone: 15108160880.

The village on the clouds, I like to feel the wind on the mountain top, there are delicious cherries in June, and the price is cheap

Luobuzhai is on the way to Jiuzhaigou. After visiting Luobuzhai, I felt a little sorry for the millions of tourists who pass through the Xiqiang Grand Canyon every year, go down to Jiuzhaigou from Luobuzhai, but do not see it or know that they have "missed" the world's oldest and most spectacular living loess castle and the largest Qiang village.

A village with Qiang characteristics, close to Chengdu. You can visit it on weekends and short holidays. The cherries in summer are delicious.