Within the territory of Tingri County, Shigatse Prefecture, Tibet, lie two breathtaking forest scenic areas: the Rongxar and Gama Forest Scenic Areas. These regions boast a dramatic elevation difference of up to 6,200 meters from the valley floor to their highest points, showcasing six distinct mountainous vertical ecosystems. These range from warm temperate evergreen coniferous forests and deciduous broadleaf forests to alpine subpolar snow and ice ecosystems.
A Sanctuary for Wildlife
The unique topography and varied climate nurture a wealth of wildlife, including rare and endangered species such as the Himalayan tahr, langur monkeys, snow leopards, brown-tailed monal, black-necked cranes, and Tibetan snowcocks. Over 200 valuable medicinal herbs like cordyceps, goldthread, snow lotus, and gastrodia elata thrive here, offering significant research and tourism potential.
Rongxar Forest Scenic Area
Located along the Rongxar River valley, from Dazhang to the China-Nepal border at Nielamu Bridge, the segment from Quga to Nielamu Bridge offers the most exquisite forest landscapes. Deep, lush valleys, clear, rapid rivers, cascading waterfalls, quaint rural homes, and wildlife roaming the forests blend with the terrain, rivers, and cultural landscapes to create an ideal eco-tourism destination centered around forest ecosystems.
Gama Forest Scenic Area
The Gama Forest Scenic Area spans the valley formed by the Gama Zangbo River, originating from glaciers on the north side of Makalu, and its tributaries. Together with the Makalu, Everest, and Lhotse eastern slope base camps, it forms an ecological and adventure tourism zone focused on forest landscapes. The Gama Valley’s forests are diverse, including montane evergreen and semi-evergreen broadleaf forests and subalpine conifer forests, making it one of the “world’s top ten landscapes.”
Rhododendron Valley
Especially noteworthy is the upper valley and the subalpine shrub communities above the treeline in the Gama Valley. From April to June, rhododendron flowers bloom in succession from the lower to the higher elevations, covering the mountains in vibrant colors, rightfully earning the nickname “Rhododendron Valley” for its spectacular beauty.
As visitors wander through these forests, they may encounter the vividly feathered satyr tragopan or brown-tailed monal flying up suddenly, watchful goral casually passing through the forest gaps, or even spot a golden cat or leopard cat stirred from daytime slumbers by the canopy’s movement. The distant treetops’ chaotic calls likely belong to langur monkeys or bear macaques playing among the branches, with the dense forest depths serving as a sanctuary for these wild
