Dengma Wetland Scenic Area

Dengma Wetland Scenic Area

The Dengma Wetland Scenic Area is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

The Dengma Wetland Scenic Area is located in Luoxu Town and Zhengke Township, 72 kilometers south of Shiqu County, at an altitude of about 3,600 meters. Situated along the upper reaches of the Jinsha River, the area enjoys a pleasant climate and expansive pastures. Historically, it has been a major barley-producing region. It is a typical and unique high-altitude alpine wetland on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau found only in China. The scenic area features majestic mountains, broad river valleys, and a rich diversity of rare species. It mainly consists of the “Zhengke Wetland Park” and “Luoxu Wetland Park” along the upper Jinsha River, as well as Zhimala Palace and Dengma Memorial Hall. Among these, the Zhengke Wetland Park is particularly notable for its vast expanse of wild sea buckthorn forests. In autumn, the golden fruits hang heavily on the branches, while ruddy shelducks and bar-headed geese nest densely along the riverbanks, enjoying freedom and bringing endless joy. The renowned Zhimala Palace was built in 641 AD by Princess Wencheng and is a key highlight of the scenic area. The Dengma Memorial Hall was constructed to commemorate Dengma, the foremost of the Thirty Heroes of King Gesar in Tibetan culture. The scenic area also includes picturesque spots such as Lover’s Valley and the Zha’Anamu Rock Carvings, all of which showcase the profound historical and cultural richness of Luoxu.

Luoxu Wetland Park is situated in the eastern part of Luoxu Town, covering an area of approximately 63 mu. The park is primarily planted with poplar, Tibetan willow, water willow, and cypress trees. There are three main natural springs within the park, along with several smaller scattered springs. In Tibetan, it is called “Ranmani Xikha,” meaning the source where divine sheep come to drink. Locals and monks have long come here to pray, believing it brings favorable weather and the fulfillment of wishes. In 2017, it was approved as a provincial-level park by the Provincial Forestry Department and is part of the Dengma Wetland complex.

Shengtong Wetland Park is located 92 kilometers from the county seat and 18 kilometers from Luoxu Town, under the jurisdiction of Zhengke Township. Established in 2003, the park spans a total area of 10,000 mu. It is part of the national “Tianbao” forestry conservation project. After 13 years of protection and development, it now hosts the largest sea buckthorn forest in the entire prefecture and serves as an important habitat for birds such as ruddy shelducks and bar-headed geese. The wetland park lies at the first river beach of the Jinsha River, featuring broad river surfaces and numerous streams, with distinct highland wetland landscape characteristics. With the continuous restoration and expansion of wetland resources, the growth of aquatic vegetation, increased reserves of scenic forest trees, expanding animal populations, and improving ecological conditions, the surrounding scenery varies beautifully with each season.

Since ancient times, travel across the banks of the Jinsha River has been difficult due to deep and rapid waters and perilous paths. After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, to strengthen exchanges between the people of Sichuan and Tibet and facilitate trade, the government built this bridge. It transformed a natural barrier into a thoroughfare. The bridge is about 80 meters long and has stood for nearly 40 years. It remains an important bridge along the upper Jinsha River, still playing a vital role today and witnessing economic development and friendly interactions between Tibetan and Han peoples.

In 640 AD, the Tibetan Empire welcomed Princess Wencheng. As her entourage passed through Yushu, Qinghai (now the site of the Princess Wencheng Temple in Yushu), they prayed for peace and blessings for the local people. Along the steep cliffs around Dengke in Kham, four images of savior Buddhas were carved: three statues of Vairocana were carved in Yin’ge Village to the east; twenty-one statues of Tara were carved on the river cliffs opposite Zhimala Palace to the south; one statue of Samantabhadra was carved on the massive rock wall at Quge Long at the foot of Baima Mountain to the west; and three statues of Amitayus were carved on the standing stone cliffs along the road in Longrong Gully to the north. The large standing stone with the Amitayus carvings was later named Zha’Anamu (Fairy Cliff) in honor of the princess’s merit. Of the three Buddha statues carved in Shiqu, the middle one is larger with smaller ones on both sides. The middle statue is called Ze’ba Mai, meaning longevity, dedicated to the bodhisattva who governs human longevity. The one on the right is Pa’ba Xianle Re, the bodhisattva of mantra recitation. The one on the left is Xianglang Duoji, the bodhisattva who prevents disasters and protects safety. These carved Buddha statues, having endured over 1,300 years of sun, rain, wind, and frost, still stand firmly and remain vividly clear, continuing to bless the land.

Zhimala Palace, also known as Longtang Zhimala Palace, derives its name from “Long” meaning yellow ox and “Tang” meaning plain, with Zhimala meaning Temple of Tara. Longtang refers to the fact that Princess Wencheng and her entourage used the yellow oxen they brought to cultivate fields in Baima Plain (Luoxu Town). Zhimala Palace is located in Luoxu Town, Shiqu County, Sichuan Province, 72 kilometers from the county seat, at an average altitude of 3,600 meters. The area enjoys a pleasant climate, clean air, and is surrounded by mountains and forests. It has long been known as the “Land of Barley.” Legend has it that during Princess Wencheng’s journey to Tibet, she stayed in the area around the Princess Wencheng Temple in Yushu for over two months. While traveling, she admired Luoxu Town for its strategic location at the junction of Sichuan, Kham, and Tibet, as well as its agreeable climate. Due to the ancient belief that the Tibetan terrain resembled a demoness lying on her back—as described by geomancers—Princess Wencheng, aiming to “subdue the demoness and pacify the region,” conducted divinations and established twelve temples. Zhimala Palace is one of them. Inside the temple are three renowned golden statues of Tara, highly valuable and believed to be miraculous. They were gifted by Princess Wencheng, the Fifth Dalai Lama, and Buddhist master Lhang Dorje. Visitors who have the fortune to see them are believed to receive great blessings.

Dengma was the foremost of the Thirty Heroes of King Gesar in Tibetan culture. It is said that Luoxu was the hometown of General Dengma. To this day, the ruins of General Dengma’s palace can still be clearly seen on the hill behind Suran Temple in Luoxu. To commemorate this legendary hero, a grand and magnificent “Dengma Memorial Hall” was built in Luoxu Town. The memorial hall covers a vast area and features a statue of General Dengma riding a horse and drawing his bow. It also displays many of the general’s helmets, weapons, and armor. Additionally, there is a dedicated exhibition hall for thangka paintings, housing nearly a thousand outstanding works by modern master thangka artists. The Folk Museum recreates the daily life scenes of Tibetan herders through a rich collection of exhibits and also houses many precious Tibetan cultural relics, making it a true treasure trove of Tibetan history and culture.