Songge Mani Stone City: The "Sinking" Labyrinth of Faith on the Zaxika Grassland

A Miracle of Stone and Faith

1.Located deep in the Zaxika Grassland in Ariza: Township, Shiqu County, Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Songge Mani Stone City (Songge Mani Stone Scripture City) is a breathtaking monument to Tibetan faith and the legendary King Gesar. Unlike typical Mani piles that are simple mounds of stones, this is a literal "city" or fortress built entirely from stones carved with scriptures and Buddhist imagery. The structure is approximately 10 meters high and about 100 meters long and wide (specifically 73m by 47m), forming a magnificent square castle on the high plateau. What makes it an architectural wonder is that it was constructed without a single drop of mortar or adhesive; the stones are simply stacked upon one another, yet they have withstood the harsh highland elements for centuries.

The Legend of King Gesar

2.The history of Songge Mani Stone: City is steeped in the epic of King Gesar. Legend has it that the foundations were laid during the 11th century (the era of King Gesar) by the soldiers of the Ling Kingdom to release the souls of those who died in battle. Over the millennium, local herders and pilgrims have continued to add stones to commemorate the King's achievements, causing the "city" to grow continuously. The walls are embedded with hundreds of niches (383 in total, with 204 on the front facade) housing exquisitely painted stone statues of King Gesar, his 30 generals, and various deities, making it a "Kingdom of Stone Carving Art" and a crucial site for studying the Gesar epic.

The Sinking City

3.One of the most mystical aspects of Songge: Mani is the belief that "the part underground is as deep as the part above ground". Because pilgrims add new carved stones every day, the heavy stone structure slowly sinks into the soft grassland soil while simultaneously growing upwards. This creates a unique phenomenon where the city is effectively "alive" and constantly evolving. The city preserves early archaeological relics, including stones carved with ancient Sanskrit scripts that have been buried over time.

A Labyrinth of Scriptures

4.Stepping inside the Songge Mani Stone: City is like entering a spiritual maze. The interior is a complex network of narrow, winding passages and "rooms" formed by the stacked stones. Walking through these corridors, visitors are surrounded by billions of six-syllable mantras ("Om Mani Padme Hum") and intricate carvings of deities, creating an overwhelming atmosphere of devotion. The layout mimics the form of a Mandala, symbolizing the universe in Buddhist cosmology, with the internal maze representing the path from samsara (cycle of rebirth) to liberation.

The Soul of the Sun Tribe

Shiqu County is known as the "Land of the Sun Tribe," and Songge Mani is its spiritual heart. Situated at the junction of Sichuan, Qinghai, and Tibet, the city stands tall amidst the vast, green Zaxika Grassland, often framed by double rainbows or dramatic cloud formations. Outside the stone walls, colorful prayer flags radiate outward like flower petals, while eagles soar overhead and devout herdsmen perform full-body prostrations to add new stones to the walls. It offers a profound, non-commercialized experience of Tibetan culture, far removed from the bustle of modern tourism.