Danba Ancient Tower

Overview
Danba Ancient Tower, also called Himalayan Towers. Are a series of stone towers located mostly in Kham, a province of premodern Tibet, and in Sichuan. The towers are located principally in the Changtang and Kongpo regions of Tibet as well as in the area inhabited by the modern Qiang people and in the historical region inhabited by the Western Xia.

The towers were listed by World Monuments Fund in the endangered cultural sites list of the 2006 World Monuments Watch. The towers were unknown to mainstream cultural experts in China prior to its enlistment as an endangered site. The World Monument Fund has allocated resources to repair and conserve some of the towers which have been vandalized or neglected through time. Locals have been pushing for the declaration of the towers and its landscape to be part of the UNESCO World Heritage List.

History & Background
These towers can be found both in cities and in uninhabited regions. They were described for the first time during the Ming dynasty (1368-1644). Carbon dating by Frederique Darragon shows they were built approximately 500-1800 years ago. Since they are generally located in prosperous villages, it is believed that their primary function was as a demonstration of a family's prestige within the community. 

At that time, wealth was acquired especially by the trade with the Mongols. For strength, many of the towers use a star pattern of walls as opposed to a strictly rectangular method. Heights can exceed 60 metres (200 ft).

Function
The primary function of Himalayan Towers was as a demonstration,which built to show a family’s prestige within the community. Besides, they are used for defensive and delivering messages between villages. Besides,the towers can be found in uninhabited regions. Many towers have star pattern of walls,which opposed to a strictly rectangular method.The Heights of the Himalayan Towers can exceed 60 meters.

Viewed against the blue sky, white clouds and the shimmering white of the snow mountains and glaciers, Himalayan Towers take on a rouge and yet dignified style.

Information
Admission Fee: Free

Danba Travel FAQS
1. Could you please let me know which is the best way to travel to Danba from Chengdu?
Danba Town is located about 340 kilometers from Chengdu and it takes around 6.5 hours’ drive. The best way to travel to Danba town from Chengdu is direct bus or car rental. If you travel with a budget, you can take the long distance bus. There are two departures a day on 06:30 am and 07:30 am. We highly you book a Chengdu Danba tour with local tour company for a leisure and pleasant journey.

2. My family want to do a Kangding & Danba individual travel, how can we get around this area?
You can take flight or bus from Chengdu to Kangding first, then take direct bus to Danba after your Kangding sightseeing. Most of the villages of interest are within a 10km radius from town. Vans ferry passengers to/from those villages are available and convenient, leaving only when relatively full. A better option is to charter a vehicle to get around once you arrive in Kangding and Danba.

3. Is worth taking a Chengdu side trip to visit Danba town in Sichuan? What are things to do in Danba if we arrive there?
It's worth making a Chengdu extended trip to Danba if time permits. Danba is well-known for the spectacular watchtower groups, the representative Tibetan villages and the pretty Tibetan ladies. Danba also is a paradise for photographers. You should explore Tibetan villages and get a local family visiting, hike up to the top of platform to catch a panoramic view with all beautiful things in front of your eyes; Appreciate the flowers if you travel during spring time.

4. Do you offer any Chengdu tour to Danba? Can I book such tour during Chinese New Year?
Yes, we can arrange Chengdu to Danba tour and it's available during spring festival, but the cost will be higher during these time. We will arrange a private Danba tour package for you includes a private tour guide and a comfortable licensed private cars for this Danba tour from Chengdu hotel, train station or airport directly. You just tell us your specific travel dates and length, we will make the Danba travel route based on your situation. Our guide will take you to explore the best part of Danba and surrounding places.

5. How long does it to hike around the Dangling? I am an energetic person and want to do some hiking around Danba.
Normally, it takes around half day to hike around Dangling, it is a gallery of natural alpine lakes, forest, hot springs, grassland and a perfect hiking destination in Sichuan. The hiking at Dangling is a nice walking from the village up to the Hulu Lake for about 2-3 hours. You can ride a horse, or walk to the lake to see its beauty including Xiaqiangla mountains. 

6. I am planning a trip to Sichuan in the autumn and I would love to spend 3 days in Danba, will be it enough?
Yes, it is enough for Danba tour. When you are on a driving tour, you can choose to visit tourist attractions or have short hikes around Danba. As deveopment of road construction, it is very easy to travel between each villages, normally one night is good. You can do a 2-hour hiking in the village to see its houses and people. For photograph lovers, you may consider to stay in the village for 2 nights to have better chance of good weather by evening and morning to take good photos.

7. Can you arrange a car service from our Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport to Danba directly? 8 of us will land at 6:30am.
Yes, we provide Chengdu car rental service to Danba. Our driver will meet you at the exit of airport directly with a welcome sign, he will lead your group sit into a comfortable vehicle. It takes around 7 hours from Chengdu airport.