Wildlife Paradise – Discover the Untamed Nature of Tibet

Wildlife Encounters in Ali, Tibet: A Living Safari on the Plateau
Here, travelers can spot a wide variety of wildlife, including Tibetan wild asses, Tibetan gazelles, Tibetan antelopes, bharals (blue sheep), hares, marmots, pikas, and even solitary wolves. Many visitors say that a trip to Ngari, Tibet feels like entering a vast open-air wildlife park. Along the roadside, it’s common to encounter all sorts of animals—some even report sightings of elusive snow leopards and Himalayan brown bears. Driving along the Northern Ngari Loop, you may unexpectedly come across herds of Tibetan antelope. Gazing out the window, you’ll see wild asses galloping freely, full of energy. When such encounters happen, take a moment to pause and feel the joy and vitality of life on the plateau—sharing this wilderness in peaceful coexistence.

Changtang Plateau: The Wildlife Paradise of the Third Pole
Here, your companions along the journey are snow-capped mountains, crystal-clear lakes, elegant Tibetan antelopes, leisurely Tibetan wild asses, free-roaming deer, soaring eagles, and clever, almost human-like foxes. Isolated from the world, this land reveals the beauty and brutality of nature, offering a truly wild and liberating experience on Earth’s Third Pole.

Today, the Changtang Grassland is home to over 100 species of rare and exotic wildlife, making it the second largest wildlife sanctuary in the world. Free from human disturbance, animals here live and thrive in complete freedom — truly, a paradise for wildlife.

Shenzha Nature Reserve: A Breeding Haven for Black-Necked Cranes
The Shenzha Nature Reserve in Tibet is an important breeding ground for black-necked cranes, a globally recognized vulnerable and rare species listed as Class I protected wildlife in China. Named for their distinctive black heads and necks, these cranes have greyish-white bodies and black-edged wings and tails.

At the foot of Jia Gang Lam Mountain, near Shenzha Town, we spotted a black-necked crane family of three in the wetlands. The chick was just over a month old — still downy, but already showing the elegant long neck and slender legs of its kind.

Shenzha is favored by black-necked cranes for its unique wetland ecosystem and ideal climate. Each April, the cranes migrate here from the river valleys of southern Tibet. By June, pairs have formed families, laid eggs, and begun incubation. Over the summer months, they live in family units until reuniting in late September, flying south with their young to overwinter.

The Tibetan antelope, once classified as an endangered species, has seen significant recovery over the past two decades thanks to enhanced conservation efforts. Its habitat has gradually expanded—from being primarily found in the western and northern regions of the Changtang Plateau to now being commonly spotted around the central area of Selin Co. In 2016, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) officially downgraded the Tibetan antelope’s threat status from “Endangered” to “Near Threatened.”