Tibet Self-Drive Tour: Discovering Shenzha—A Highland Ecological Paradise

On the journey from Shigatse to Ngari, we encountered an untouched ecological wonder in Shenzha County, Nagqu. Far from the crowds of tourists, this pristine land blends snow-capped mountains, wetlands, and grasslands into a breathtaking tapestry of nature, where humans and the environment coexist in harmony. Shenzha County is a place embraced by lakes, grasslands, wetlands, and towering peaks. Siling Co, Tibet's largest saltwater lake, gleams like a sapphire embedded in the earth, its surface shimmering with reflections of snow-capped mountains. Tibetan antelopes roam leisurely across the plains, while the calls of black-necked cranes pierce the mist over the lakes. Tso Ngon Bird Island bursts into a carnival of life each spring and summer, as hundreds of thousands of migratory birds, including bar-headed geese and ruddy shelducks, gather to breed, their wings turning the wetlands into a mirror of the sky. The azure waters of Geren Co, the tranquility of Yueqia Co, and the ancient ruins of Xiangxiong civilization by Pearl Lake—each site whispers the poetry of the plateau. The grasslands are both a home for herders and a sanctuary for wildlife. From afar, rolling green waves stretch to the horizon, dotted with grazing yaks and sheep like scattered pearls. Smoke rises from herders' tents, harmonizing with the snow-capped peaks of the Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains. Nestled between wetlands and mountains, Shenzha town glows under the golden sunset, its wetlands mirroring the painted skies, as if the entire world is bathed in serenity.

Today, Shenzha thrives as a testament to ecological conservation. The Siling Co Nature Reserve teems with life, and rare wildlife populations continue to grow. Even more heartening is the renewed vitality of local herders' livelihoods. And this summer, on July 12, a grand event will illuminate this land further! The "Polar Nagqu·Nacang Shenzha—First Shenzha Ecological Photography Contest and Development Achievements Exhibition" (Shenzha Station) will kick off in splendor. This event will not only showcase Shenzha's stunning ecological achievements and inspiring development stories but also invite renowned photographers to judge the "Most Beautiful Hometown" mobile photography contest, celebrating the best snapshots of conservation triumphs. The festivities will include captivating traditional performances, thrilling equestrian shows, and more—an unmissable celebration! Here, we can immerse ourselves in unparalleled natural beauty while witnessing the joyful transformation and vibrant spirit of local life. As we depart, Shenzha shrinks in the rearview mirror into a living painting: majestic mountains, endless wetlands, herders' tents trailing smoke, and beyond the road, the deeper mysteries of Ngari beckon. This beauty is not just nature's gift but also an answer to the harmony between humanity and the wild.

Post by Violet.Bell@71 | Jul 5, 2025