Ganzi, Sichuan ProvinceHigh Altitude

Bage Mani Stone Wall: The Great Wall of Faith Stretching Across the Zaxika Grassland

📸Photography 🛤️Highland Aesthetics(高原美学)

Altitude

4,250m

Best Time

☀️ 🍂

Duration

1-2 hours

Ticket

Free

⚠️ Extreme High Altitude

This location is at 4,250m elevation. Severe altitude sickness risk. Proper acclimatization is essential. Consider consulting a doctor before visiting.

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About This Attraction

The "Great Wall" of Belief

1.Located deep within the vast Zaxika: Grassland in Changsha Gongma Township, Shiqu County, Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, the Bage Mani Stone Wall is a breathtaking testament to Tibetan spiritual devotion. Stretching approximately 1.7 kilometers in length, it is renowned as the longest Mani stone wall in the world. Unlike the Great Wall of China which was built for defense, this "Great Wall" is built entirely of prayer stones, constructed solely for the purpose of accumulating merit and praying for peace. It sits at an altitude of about 4,200 meters, nestled at the foot of the sacred Zhajiapangxiu Mountain and near the confluence of the Zhaqu and Mamuo rivers, appearing like a magnificent dragon resting on the plateau.

A Living Library of Stone

2.The structure of the Bage Mani: Wall is an architectural marvel. It is approximately 2 to 3 meters wide and 2.5 to 3.5 meters high, built entirely by stacking stone tablets without the use of any mortar or adhesive. These billions of stones are carved with the six-syllable mantra ("Om Mani Padme Hum"), and remarkably, the wall contains the complete contents of the Buddhist classics "Kangyur" and "Tengyur", as well as the "Fortunate Aeon Sutra" (Xianjie Jing), making it a literal "Library of Stone Scriptures" open to the sky. Embedded within the wall are over 3,000 stone statues of Buddhas and deities, and hundreds of window-like niches (roughly every three meters) housing exquisite painted clay or stone statues known as "Tsha-Tsha".

History and Legend

The wall's history dates back to the early Qing Dynasty, around 1640. It was founded by the First Bage Rinpoche, Sangdeng Pengcuo, who is said to have received a vision from Padmasambhava to place the first Mani stone at this auspicious site. Over the centuries, successive Bage Living Buddhas and countless believers have continued to expand it. The wall is also steeped in local legend. One story tells of a young man who built a section known as the "Wall of Goodness" to release the soul of his lover who drowned in the river, while another section, the "Wall of Evil," was built by a repentant man who had harmed his friend for money, symbolizing the turning from evil to good.

A Dynamic Pilgrimage Site

3.What makes the Bage Mani Stone: Wall truly unique is that it is a "living" monument. To this day, local herdsmen and pilgrims continue to add new carved stones to the wall, causing it to grow and evolve constantly. Along the length of the wall, there are 108 stupas (Chortens) of various sizes distributed at intervals, creating a rhythmic skyline against the vast grassland. Visitors will often see devout believers performing full-body prostrations or walking clockwise around the wall, spinning prayer wheels and chanting mantras. The atmosphere is one of profound peace and unwavering faith, offering a deep insight into the spiritual life of the "Sun Tribe" on the high plateau.

✨ Why Visit Bage Mani Stone Wall

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World's longest Mani stone wall stretching over 1.6 kilometers across the Tibetan plateau

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An immense collection of over 2 billion carved Buddhist scriptures and prayer stones

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A sacred cultural monument built over centuries by devoted pilgrims and locals

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Vibrant prayer flags and stone-carved Buddhist deities adorn the entire structure

Location & Nearby

📍 Ganzi, Sichuan Province • 🏔️ 4250m elevation

Frequently Asked Questions - Bage Mani Stone Wall Travel Guide

Where is the Bage Mani Stone Wall located?

It is located in Changsha Gongma Township, Shiqu County, Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, about 50-60 km from the county seat.

How old is the wall?

It was founded around 1640 during the early Qing Dynasty, making it nearly 400 years old, though it is constantly being added to.

Is there an entrance fee?

Generally, there is no official entrance fee for the wall itself as it is an open religious site on the grassland, but donations (incense money) are customary.

What is the best way to visit?

Visitors usually walk clockwise around the wall (circumambulation) to show respect and experience the scale of the structure. Driving alongside it is also possible for a panoramic view.

What is the altitude?

The site is at a high altitude of approximately 4,200 meters, so visitors should be prepared for potential altitude sickness.

Why do you include Chinese characters and Pinyin in the descriptions for Bage Mani Stone Wall?

We provide the original Chinese names and Pinyin to make your travel smoother. Since English is rarely spoken in remote parts of Western China, you can easily show these Chinese names to local taxi drivers, hotel staff, or police when asking for help, or copy-paste them directly into Chinese navigation apps like Amap (高德地图) or Baidu Maps.