Dege

Dege, also called Derge, is a historic town in the Kham region of western Sichuan. It was the capital of a Kham kingdom and has long been one of the great cultural centres of eastern Tibet.

Dege is best known for the Parkhang, or printing house, founded in the 18th century, where wooden printing blocks for Tibetan scriptures are still kept and used. The town is also home to Gonchen Monastery, a Sakya institution.

The route into Dege crosses high passes, and the setting is a river valley with steep slopes.