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Seda is located in the northeastern part of Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, bordering Dari and Banma counties in Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province. It is a purely pastoral county with a predominantly Tibetan population. Seda means "Golden Horse" in Tibetan, named after a horse-shaped gold nugget unearthed within Seda. Prior to 2002, roads were inaccessible, preserving the area's primitive lifestyle. Located in the remotest corner of northwestern Sichuan, the small town boasts a complex terrain, encompassing vast grasslands, crisscrossing river meanders, numerous lakes and swamps, and towering snow-capped mountains. At an altitude exceeding 4,000 meters, Seda enjoys low temperatures and long winters with no summers. Seda boasts a long history, a rich and profound ethnic culture, and a rich and extensive religious tradition. It is also one of the birthplaces of the epic "King Gesar."
Luoruo Township: The famous Five Sciences Buddhist College is located in Luoruo Township, 20 kilometers away from Seda County.
Jinma Grassland: On the way to Seda by car, you will pass through the vast Jinma Grassland. The Red Sect temple Donggar Temple is located on Donggar Mountain in the Jinma Grassland.
Seda has long winters and no summers. Considering the temperature and traffic conditions, May to October is the best season to travel to Seda. There will be snow after November, but the roads are covered with ice and snow in winter, making driving inconvenient.
Thousands of people gather in Seda during the Dharma assemblies in January, April, June and September every year. Tickets and accommodation are very tight. If you are traveling during this period, be sure to book your tickets and accommodation in advance.
Seda is located at an altitude of approximately 3,800 meters, with an average annual temperature of only 0°C. From April to September, the weather is pleasant, but the temperature is not high, with a significant difference between day and night. Rain is also frequent in the summer, so be prepared for rain. From October to March, temperatures hover around -10°C. Wear a vacuum-padded down jacket, two thick sweaters, one pair of long johns, one pair of woolen trousers, and one pair of thick outer trousers. Also essential are a scarf, gloves, thick socks, and woolen leggings. In winter, there's no heating in the rooms, so be sure to keep warm at night.
The main expense for a trip to Seda is transportation. The round-trip transportation fee from Chengdu is about 500 yuan. Accommodation is not expensive on ordinary days, and there is no entrance fee for various attractions. Therefore, 1,000 yuan can cover all the expenses for a 3-5 day trip to Seda. However, the accommodation price will increase significantly during holidays or Buddhist ceremonies.
The place where locals hold sky burials for the dead, and experience the piety in person
This Red Sect temple has a history of over 300 years and currently has more than 300 monks living and studying here.
