Xiuba Ancient Castle: Ancient Castle in Tibet

It was constructed with stones and wood in Tang Dynasty, even 300 years earlier than the worldly famous Potala Palace.

Xiuba Ancient Castle is situated in the Gongbogyamda County, about 55 km away from the county seat. It was constructed with stones and wood in Tang Dynasty, even 300 years earlier than the worldly famous Potala Palace. It is the most famous scenic spot in Niyang River Scenic Belt. Xiuba Ancient Castle is composed of 5 castles with different heights, ranging from 20 to 60 meters respectively. Originally, there were totally 7 castles. Meanwhile, due to years without restoration, 2 of them have collapsed and there only left the existing 5 castles. However, among the 5 castles, only 3 were are in relatively good condition. 　　　

The first one is Batang Ancient Castle group with an area of 1400 square meters. The second one is Xueka Village Ancient Castle group. The third one is Xiuba Millenary Ancient Castle group. The walls of the castles are about 2 m thick. The roof has overlooking holes that are used to watch far, to shoot arrows to the enemies, or to set off smoke signals. 　　　

The is another castle called Praying Tower with five-storey. It is 28 meters high and once was used to pray for military triumph. There is a giant prayer wheel with a diameter of 3 meters in the tower. A large quantity of Tibetan would come here to pray for health, peace and happiness. 　　　

Xiuba means “skinning” in Tibetan language. Long time ago, there lived 2 monks who practiced different sects, one for Bon and another for Gelug. However the Bon sect got more power than Gelug. The monk of Bon imprisoned the one of Gelug and finally skinned him after a Buddhism argumentation. Hence, this monastery got this name “Xiuba”. 　　　

Xiuba Ancient Castles integrated the cultural relics and natural landscapes. It keeps attracting visitors here for sightseeing and exploring its ancient castles and local folk customs.

Tips of Xiuba Ancient Castle

Xiuba Ancient Castle is made of stones and wood. Some castles had collapsed into ruins, so you do not want to do any extensive exercises there.

Ancient Castle in Tibet

Tibet, is a desirable and sacred place, to go to Tibet has to visit the ancient castles of Tibet, except for the ancient castle of Xiuba, what other ancient castles are there in Tibet?

Potala Palace

The Potala Palace, the winter palace of the Dalai Lama since the 7th century, symbolizes Tibetan Buddhism and its central role in the traditional administration of Tibet.

Yungbulakang Palace

The first palace in the history of Tibet-Yongbulakang Palace was built in the 2nd century BC on the top of the Zhaxiciri Mountain. The magnificent palace demonstrated typical Tibetan style.

Gyangtse Zongshan Ancient castle

Gyangze Zongshan Ancient Castle is located on Zongshan Mountain in the urban area of Gyangze County, not far from Baiju Temple, and it is especially spectacular from a distance under the mountain. This is the place where the Tibetan people fought against the British invading army in 1904, the location of Gyantse Dzong, and the filming location of the movie “Red River Valley”. Now it has been identified as a patriotic education base. Through the anti-British forts, exhibition halls, places where warriors jumped off the cliff, the original Gyantse Zong meeting hall, dungeons, etc. on the site, it shows the original appearance of Gyantse Zong in the feudal serfdom era and reproduces the Tibetan The bravery of the local army and civilians against the British invaders, people can still vaguely find the traces of Gyantse Zong’s life and office.

About Ancient Castle in Tibet FAQS

What are the oldest buildings in Tibet?

According to legend, it was the first building in Tibet and the palace of the first Tibetan king, Nyatri Tsenpo.

What was the first palace in Tibet?

The first palace in the history of Tibet-Yongbulakang Palace was built in the 2nd century BC on the top of the Zhaxiciri Mountain. The magnificent palace demonstrated typical Tibetan style.

Why is Lhasa called Forbidden city?

Lhasa city was known as the forbidden place because of the Chinese communists occupying the religious constructions in 1958. The city had many temples and this made it a religious...

What is the oldest temple in Tibet?

Tholing Monastery (or Toling, mtho lding dgon pa མཐོ་ལྡིང་དགོན་པ) (Tuolin si 托林寺) is the oldest monastery (or gompa) in the Ngari Prefecture of western Tibet. It is situated in Tholing (Zanda), Zanda County, near the Indian border of Ladakh. It was built in 997 AD by Yeshe-Ö, the second King of the Guge Kingdom.