The Lost Kingdom of Black Stones: A Mysterious Citadel Watching Over the King of Shu Mountains

The Solemn Ruins of the Muya Kingdom

1.Located in the rugged mountains of Guzan: Town, Kangding City, Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Black Stone City (Heishicheng) is a site of profound mystery and desolation. Situated at an altitude of approximately 3,800 to 4,000 meters, this ancient ruin sits on a ridge near the Yala River valley and Provincial Highway 434 (S434), about 80 kilometers from downtown Kangding. Unlike the golden roofs of typical Tibetan monasteries, Black Stone City is defined by its somber, dark aesthetics. It is composed of walls and watchtowers built entirely from local black shale (schist), stacked dry without any mortar. These dark stones, weathered by centuries of wind and snow, stand in stark contrast to the blue sky and white snow-capped peaks, creating a "Game of Thrones"-like atmosphere that is unique on the Sichuan-Tibet line. It is widely believed to be the remains of a capital or a fortress of the ancient Muya Kingdom (a branch of the Xiangxiong civilization), dating back to the Tang and Song dynasties (7th-13th centuries), representing the lost glory of the Muya people,,.

A Fortress of History and Legend

2.The history of Black Stone: City is a saga of tribal power and border defense. Known in Tibetan as "Muya Gongga" (meaning Muya Palace), it once served as a political and military center for the Muya Kingdom, which controlled the vast river valleys north of Kangding. The city’s strategic location allowed it to serve as a fortress against invasions and a vital node on the ancient trade routes. Legends say the city was built by a Muya king seeking refuge, and the black stones were taken from sacred mountains to ensure indestructibility. During the Qing Dynasty, it became a stronghold for local Tusi (chieftains) who aided the Emperor in stabilizing the borderlands. Although much of the city has collapsed into piles of rubble over the millennium, the remaining walls and the towering, dilapidated watchtowers (Diaolou) still exude a sense of unyielding power and historical continuity,,.

3.The Ultimate: Viewing Deck for Sacred Mountains

For modern travelers and photographers, Black Stone City is less about archaeology and more about the view. It is revered as one of the best viewing platforms for Mount Gongga (Minya Konka), the "King of Shu Mountains." Standing among the black ruins, one has an unobstructed view to the west/southwest of the main peak of Gongga (7,556 meters). The visual impact of the "Black City" in the foreground and the "White Snow Mountain" in the background is visually arresting. At sunset, the "Golden Sunshine on the Mountain" (Rizhao Jinshan) phenomenon illuminates Gongga’s peaks in fiery orange, while the black stones fall into silhouette, creating a dramatic composition that draws photographers from around the world. To the north, the sharp, silver pyramid of Yala Snow Mountain (Zhara Lhatse) is also clearly visible, making this one of the few spots where you can admire two major sacred mountains simultaneously,,.

A Spiritual and Photographic Pilgrimage

4.The experience of visiting Black Stone: City is both spiritual and aesthetic. The ruins are adorned with colorful prayer flags (Lungta) and Mani stone piles, showing that the site remains sacred to the local people who come to pray for protection and good fortune. Walking through the maze of broken walls, one can feel the "Highland Aesthetics" of solitude and resilience. The air is thin and pure, filled with the sound of wind whistling through the stones. Whether you are exploring the remnants of the "Muya Palace," watching the cloud sea roll over the Yala River valley, or waiting for the last light to hit the snow peaks, Black Stone City offers a journey into the deep past of the Kham region, connecting the traveler with the ancient soul of the plateau,,.