Spirituality, mysterious mountains and breathtaking views: the Tibet, the autonomous region of Asia nestled in the northern part of the Himalayas, is all this and more. It is the ideal destination for a different journey than usual, a unique opportunity to rediscover yourself among the beauty of unspoiled nature and the silence of Buddhist monasteries.
It is no coincidence that it is also known as the “roof of the world”: its peaks are an irresistible attraction for mountain enthusiasts looking for an unforgettable climb. A trip to Tibet also means discovering a kingdom that has disappeared forever, but has left an indelible mark on the landscape.
The ruins of Guge allow the visitor to understand how rich Tibet was culturally and artistically in ancient times. Delve into what it once was an important trade route it is undoubtedly an experience worth trying.
The enchanting landscapes of the Kingdom of Guge
Disappeared following a war in the mid-1600s, the Kingdom of Guge still shows itself today in all its beauty, thanks to ruins remained intact and protected by the rocky mountains. The dry and cool climate of the place was one of the major architects of the wonderful preservation of the remains of a civilization that had its maximum splendor several centuries ago.
The complex, perched on a 300 meter high hill, has a charm that captivates at first glance for its majesty. In fact, this hill emerges in all its grandeur from the bank of the Xiangquang river, belonging to the district of Zaborang, a few kilometers from the county of Zada, giving a pinch of mystery to what was once the Kingdom of Guge.
Dominating the landscape is the palacewhich looks like a castle and overlooks the entire territory followed by temples and residential buildings, all connected by a complicated underground tunnel system.
To make this place even more fascinating, the restoration completed in 2016 has brought to light rooms, pagodas, tombs, works of art and above all of the special murals present inside the four temples that helped make the kingdom famous.
The end of the Reign of Guge
But how is it possible that such a prolific civilization, the epicenter of trade routes, suddenly disappeared? The reasons for the end of a kingdom that at its peak included the whole of Ngari and also extended to Kashmir and present-day Pakistan, are not very clear, although they are theories have been formulated about it.
According to one of these reconstructions, it is necessary to go back to the 9th century, when the reign of the emperor of Tibet Lang Dharma ended due to a civil war.
Lang Dharma’s great-grandson, Jide Nyimagon, moved with his entourage to Ngari where he founded the Kingdom of Guge. In turn, the three sons of Nyimagon founded as many regimes, Guge, Ladakj and Burang. It was really the conquest of the Palazzo di Guge in 1635 by the army of the Kingdom of Ladakh to put an end to the Kingdom of Guge itself. The palace was completely devastated and the relatives of the last emperor of Guge disappeared forever.
It is a truly exciting story that can be appreciated even better by admiring the splendor of these ruins up close.