
Ganzi or Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture lies in the expansive and strikingly beautiful Ganzi Valley, bounded on one side by rolling hills and on the other by craggy rock ridges. The unusual geography and weather conditions along the transition zone between the Sichuan Basin and the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau have given rise to a variety of landforms and conditions, such as mountains, glaciers, alpine lakes, and unique botany. The local customs are clearly reflected in the more than 500 Lamaist temples in the prefecture and the town's religious life is dominated by the Geluk school of Tibetan Buddhism.