The Ruins of the Guge Kingdom lie in Zanda County, Ngari Prefecture, around 18 kilometers west of the county seat. Designated as a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level by the State Council in March 1961, the site preserves 39 temples and chapels in total, 25 of which are still inhabited by monks. There are more than 300 houses and caves, once dwellings for serfs and ordinary people. Grand temples and dense monk quarters stand halfway up the mountain, while the royal palace occupies the summit, consisting of a grand assembly hall, scripture halls, mandala altars, shrines, as well as the winter and summer palaces for royal families.

Only one manually dug secret passage connects the foot of the mountain to the royal palace on top. The entire ancient city is fortified with numerous defensive structures.