Wildlife Paradise – Discover the Untamed Nature of Tibet

Wildlife Encounters in Ali, Tibet: A Living Safari on the Plateau
Here in the vast open plains, you can spot an incredible variety of wildlife — Tibetan wild asses, Tibetan gazelles, chiru (Tibetan antelopes), blue sheep, hares, marmots, pikas, and even lone wolves. One traveler remarked: “Visiting Ali in Tibet feels like stepping into a massive, open-air wildlife park. Along the highways, animals appear when you least expect them.”

The photos taken in just the past two days show some of the wildlife sightings — and locals say you might even spot snow leopards or Himalayan brown bears.

While driving the Ali Grand Circle Route, you may unexpectedly cross paths with a group of Tibetan antelopes. Look out your window — you might see herds of wild asses joyfully running, totally free and untamed. When you encounter them, take a moment to pause, observe, and share this boundless land in harmony with them.

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.

Tibetan Antelope Conservation: From Endangered to Near Threatened
The Tibetan antelope, once classified as an endangered species, has made a remarkable recovery over the past 20 years. Thanks to intensified conservation efforts, its natural habitat has significantly expanded. Once seen mostly in western and northern Changtang, Tibetan antelopes are now commonly spotted near Serling Tso in central Changtang.

In 2016, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) officially downgraded the Tibetan antelope’s status from “Endangered” to “Near Threatened”.