Gaer Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Apr)

Zada Clay Forest in Ali, Tibet—A Dreamy Forest

Zada Clay Forest is located in Zada County, Ali Region, Tibet, China, about 90 kilometers away from Zada County. It is the most famous geomorphological scenic area in Zada County. The best-developed area of Zada Clay Forest geomorphology is a large area centered on Tuolin Town, with an altitude distribution of 3750-4450 meters. Zada Clay Forest is the most typical and largest distribution area of the Tertiary stratum weathered into clay forest in the world. Zada Clay Forest geomorphology is called river-lake phase in geology, which is caused by millions of years of geological changes. It is influenced by ancient orogeny, the stratum deposited at the bottom of the lake is long-term cut by running water, and gradually weathered and eroded, forming a special landform. The clay forest landform is a great spectacle of Ali. It is said that a long, long time ago, the Zada area was a vast ocean, with only water and wind under the blue sky. Later, the clay forest mountains gradually emerged from the sea. Although this is a beautiful legend, it contains certain scientific principles. According to scientists, this was once a large lake with a radius of 500 kilometers. It was the Himalayan orogeny that raised the lake basin, decreased the water level, and the mountains exposed to the water surface were carved out by long-term erosion by wind and rain. The "trees" in the clay forest are staggered in height and have various postures. Stepping into this land is like entering a mysterious maze. The tall clay pillars are arranged in the valleys in a well-organized manner, forming various shapes and sizes of strange sights. Some clay pillars stand on the ground like giants, while others are like sculptures left by elves. When the sunlight shines through the clouds, the entire Zada Clay Forest becomes even more mysterious and spectacular. The sunlight shines on the clay pillars, shining golden and silver light on the rock surface. The distant mountains are vast and undulating, and they look particularly beautiful in the afterglow of the setting sun.

For a photographer, the charm of Ali Star is unstoppable. The most beautiful starry sky to see Ali, at the elevation of 5,100 meters in the Ali astronomical observation to meet the beauty of the suffocating starry sky, forget the chilly wind, forget the biting cold, hate can not be transformed into the wind, go to the other side of the Xinghai. In the dark night sky of Ali, avoiding the light pollution of human habitation, enjoy the vastness and embarrassment of the starry night. 5100 meters above sea level The Ali Observatory is the highest altitude observatory in the world and the best observatory in Asia. With the advancement of human science and technology, the distance between humans and the mysterious Galaxy will be closer and closer. Known as the heavenly secret, Ali's owner is blessed with natural conditions, such as atmospheric transparency, clear sky rate, and night sky quality. He is known as the "last piece of pure land that human civilization depends on." The magic of photography makes up for the insufficiency of the naked eye, and the starry sky is displayed on the image, which is more shocking than what the naked eye sees. In order to let more tourists appreciate the starry sky of Ali, the Ali government has built a dark night park and an astronomical square on the outer edge of the reserve. The park is located about 25 kilometers south of Shiquanhe Town, with an altitude of 4,200 meters, including the starry sky experience zone, telescope observation zone and passenger service zone. It takes about half an hour to drive from Shiquanhe Town. Thanks to superior natural conditions, the Ali area has been favored by astronomers in recent years.