Danba Town
Hidden in a beautiful valley in the Jiarong region, Danba is a picturesque city that lies on the eastern border of the Ganzi Tibet Autonomous Region, close to western Sichuan. It is place of profound cultural heritage and importance to Tibet. The settlement is said to have been around for over a thousand years and is still a thriving community to this day.
When in Danba, it is hard to miss the abundance of stone houses. The town actually earned the nickname of the "Land of Stone Houses". Some of the structures, at least their rock foundations, can be traced all the way back to the Qin and Han Dynasties. Many of the buildings have been well preserved and are still quite in tact even today. Look for the tall Towers of Danba Valley. These structures were built years ago and can be seen dotting the countryside. A large number are located in the Suopo Township of Danba. The towers’ abundance, purposes and reasons for their soaring heights remain a mystery to scholars. There are nearly a thousand in the area varying in shape, size and age. The oldest of the group dates back over 1,500 years!
Not only are the landscape and ancient buildings in Danba beautiful, but the people of the town are also known for their legendary beauty. Legend has it that a group of beautiful women escaped the Mongolian invasion at nearby Gansu. These ladies sought refuge in Danba and stayed in the peaceful town. Even to this day, the city is known as the "Land of Beautie". Every year a Beauty Contest is held in late May. Pretty women from the town show off their unique looks and talents such as singing and dancing. The beauty of the people here isn’t just skin deep. Warm and friendly, the Tibetans in Danba are known for their hospitality, even to outside visitors. Often, groups are invited in for a cup of butter tea and might be asked to stay for dinner.
Besides the beautiful people in town, Danba is also known for its gorgeous surrounding landscape. Along with the stone architecture in town, there are several ancient stone caves and rooms in the mountains engulfing the city. The surrounding county varies widely in landscape. Everything from snowy mountains and glaciers to deep valleys and lush grasslands sweep the countryside. One way to get into Danba is to arrive by coach tour bus from Chengdu. Although close to a nine-hour ride, the journey here is worth every minute. There are some smaller hotels are available in the area if you wish to stay overnight in Danba.