Dege

Dege, or Derge (更庆镇), in Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in western Sichuan, located in a valley with snowy Chola Mountain to the east and the Tibetan border to the west. Dege, means in Tibetan as “land of benevolence”, is derived from “10 benevolences of the 4 orders” of Tibetan Buddhism, named after the Dege clan, the Dege clan and toponym of Dege both began to appear in the early period of the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368).

Dege

Dege is of great historic significance as the birthplace of Khampa culture, the hometown of Gesar King and an important stop along the ancient Tea Horse Trail. In history, it was one of 3 centers in Tibetan Culture, and other are Xiahe in Gansu, Lhasa in Tibetan Autonomous Region. 5 main sects of Tibetan Buddhism such as Nyingmapa (Red), Kagyupa (White), Saturdaykyapa (Variegated), Gelukpa (Yellow) and Benbo were treated equally by the Dege clan, and conflicts amoung these schools of thought were rare in Dege. In the 17th and 18th centuries, the influence of the Dege clan covered several counties at the juncture of present-day Sichuan, Tibet and Qinghai. Dege County today sits at the heart of this ancient domain.

Dege

Gengqing Town, is now the county seat of Dege, it is a holy site in Tibetan Buddhism because of the printing house for turning out scriptures with unique paper, and as well as the Epic of King Gesar.

And, in Gengqing Town, there are Tibetan Medical Hospital, Tongtong Monastery, and Gengqing Monastery etc.. Around Dege area are Xinluhai Lake, Axu grassland, Quer Mountains, Ruin of King Gesar’s Capital Sunzhoudazezong, Palpungl Monastery and Dzongsar Monastery etc.