Purang Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Jun)

Mount Kailash Pilgrimage Guide, Personally Tested Effective Edition

Mount Kailash Pilgrimage Guide Mount Kailash. In Tibetan, it means 'Mountain of the Gods,' and in Indian Sanskrit, it means 'Paradise of Shiva' (Shiva being a principal deity in Hinduism), and it is also the birthplace of the indigenous Tibetan religion—Bön. Moreover, Mount Kailash is a sacred mountain revered by the four major religions: Tibetan Buddhism, Bön, Hinduism, and ancient Jainism. Every year, countless people come here to circumambulate the mountain. Circumambulation is not only a physical journey of hardship but also a spiritual wandering. The difficulty of Mount Kailash lies in its high altitude; the entire route is basically above 4,600 meters, and one must cross a pass that is over 5,600 meters. If one is well-adapted to high altitude sickness, the difficulty of the pilgrimage is not great, and it is a site where everyone can go on a pilgrimage. In short, the main issues one faces when circumambulating Mount Kailash in Tibet's Ali region are: high altitude and fatigue. 'High' refers to the high altitude. Tibet is known as the 'Roof of the World,' and Ali is called the 'Roof of the Roof of the World.' During the circumambulation, there are few accommodations below 4,500 meters in altitude; Saga, Tarqin, and Darchen are all above 4,500 meters. The high altitude is a huge challenge for most people. 'Fatigue' refers to the starting point of the circumambulation, Tarqin, which is around 4,600 meters in altitude, the first day's rest stop at Darchen is 5,200 meters, and the highest point, Drolma La Pass, is 5,600 meters. During the two days of trekking, the altitude difference exceeds 1,000 meters. The significant altitude difference and the 54-kilometer trekking distance require a certain level of physical fitness from the pilgrims. Additionally, due to the limited accommodation points, the intensity of the trek is unevenly distributed. Best time: May to October (August to September is optimal) Total route length: 52km Accommodation: For a two-day trek, choose to stay at Darchen or the Sky Burial Platform; those with ample energy can cross Drolma La Pass and stay at the immovable tent pegs. Supplies: Tarqin—Sky Burial Platform, immovable tent pegs—Tarqin, there are shops along the way selling water, snacks, instant noodles, and portable oxygen bottles. There are no supply points from the Sky Burial Platform to Drolma La Pass to the immovable tent pegs. Rescue vehicle route in the scenic area: Tarqin—Darchen, immovable tent pegs—Tarqin, costs vary from 800 to 1200. Equipment list 1. Mountaineering or trekking shoes: High-top and waterproof required 2. Backpack: 30L should be enough, with a professional carrying system. Whether you hire a porter or not, remember to carry your own road meals, drinking water, and warm clothing 3. Waterproof jacket and pants, down jacket, quick-dry underwear, hat, headscarf, gloves, wool socks, gaiters, dirt-proof sleeping bag 4. Trekking poles, power bank (accommodation may have power outages) 5. Medicines, glucose, cold medicine, injury treatment, etc. Precautions: The descent from Drolma La Pass is steep and slippery, with icy and snowy road surfaces at the foot of the slope. There are marmots along the way; please do not approach them closely (they may carry the plague virus).

Mount Kailash, an eternal snow-capped mountain, is a sacred place in the hearts of the Tibetan people

At the roof of the world, there stands a mountain peak against the sky, and that is the holy Mount Kailash. Its snow-clad summit glistens in the sunlight, resembling a colossal crystal throne, bearing the hopes and dreams of all beings. Mount Kailash is considered a sacred mountain in several religions, including Hinduism, Tibetan Buddhism, Bon, and ancient Jainism. It is regarded as the center of the world and in Buddhism, it is the spiritual practice site of Buddha Shakyamuni.

Welcome to Ali! To the west of Tibet, the essence of the Tibetan Plateau!

In this area, which occupies nearly a quarter of the area of Tibet and is the most remote and desolate region of the entire Tibetan Plateau, almost every frame is a stunningly beautiful picture. No need for complex composition, no need for carefully chosen angles, towering mountains, crisscrossing rivers, lakes aplenty, herds of cattle and sheep everywhere you look - beauty is all around. This is the source of countless rivers, the ancestor of countless mountains. Rarely touched by human presence since ancient times, it harbors the deepest culture and the most mysterious stories. The undulating snow-capped mountains, the thick earth forests, the crystal-clear lakes, the reverent faith, and the vast and desolate rivers that have gathered memories of tens of millions of years, make up its supreme beauty. Behind every descriptive word, there is a hint of the ultimate beauty that may be revealed, and those who will see it can't help but be moved, giving rise to the desire to come and witness its splendor. This land represents another side of Tibet, a land within reach under the sky, displaying its proud posture and vast expanse. What kind of realm is it, really?

The most mysterious mountain in the world remains unclimbed to this day

There was once a documentary called 'Gang Rinpoche', which revolves around a sacred and mysterious mountain. People have left their time, emotions, stories, and lives here. Gang Rinpoche is an existence more sacred than life itself in the hearts of the Tibetan people. I have long heard of many mysterious events associated with Gang Rinpoche, such as it being the center of the world, the prominent swastika symbol on the mountain, the mysterious caves on the mountain that no one has yet glimpsed, the pyramid-like shape of the mountain, and many legends related to yetis, wild men, long-haired monsters, and even extraterrestrials. Tibet is already a mysterious place, so high, so far, so cold, so quiet. Not to mention this mountain peak that is even higher, farther, colder, and quieter... I am willing to believe everything about Gang Rinpoche, even the legends. Travel Information: Gang Rinpoche is the main peak of the Gangdise Mountains, the highest peak in the western section of the range that traverses between the northern Kunlun Mountains and the southern Himalayas. It is one of the four sacred mountains of Tibetan Buddhism and is recognized as the 'center of the world' by Hinduism, Tibetan Buddhism, the indigenous Bon religion of Tibet, and the ancient Jainism. Gang Rinpoche has an elevation of 6,714 meters and is composed of Neogene conglomerate. It is a steep, conical 'pyramid-shaped' mountain. Gang Rinpoche has been selected by 'China National Geographic' magazine as one of the top ten most beautiful mountains in China. Gang Rinpoche has symmetrical walls, with the more famous landmark on the south side: a huge ice chute that descends vertically from the summit and a horizontal rock layer that forms the Buddhist swastika symbol. Gang Rinpoche has always been a place of longing for pilgrims and explorers, but no one has yet been able to climb this sacred mountain, or perhaps no one dares to offend the center of the world. It is recommended to visit the Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, or the Yamdrok Lake, Namtso Lake, Tashilhunpo Monastery around Lhasa, and the Nyingchi region. If time permits, it is best to take a look at Gang Rinpoche along the route of the Everest Base Camp.

Mount Kailash in Tibet's Ngari Prefecture

Mount Kailash, located in Purang County of Ngari Prefecture in Tibet, is one of the four sacred mountains in Tibetan Buddhism and the main peak of the Gangdise mountain range, hailed as the 'King of Holy Mountains'. Without setting foot in Ngari, one cannot truly appreciate the essence of Tibet. Driving through, you'll see lakes as clear as mirrors, and when you finally arrive in Ngari, facing Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar, you will feel an extraordinary and transcendent power. Sacred Lake Companion: At the foot of the holy mountain, Lake Manasarovar and Mount Namnani accompany each other, reflecting the beauty of the lake and mountains, creating a stunningly beautiful picture. Kora Culture: Mount Kailash is a sacred site in Tibetan Buddhism, and every year, a large number of pilgrims come to perform the Kora pilgrimage, a tradition that has continued for a thousand years. On the road by the lake, you encounter locals performing the Kora around the lake. Along the way, there are also wild animals. The plateau has a large temperature difference between day and night, so it is necessary to pay attention to keeping warm and preventing altitude sickness when visiting. It's not cold during the day, but it is recommended to wear a coat, as the ultraviolet rays are strong and the wind is fierce. It's somewhat chilly, which can easily cause illness. Mount Kailash is not only a beautiful holy mountain but also a treasure of Tibetan culture and a spiritual sanctuary. Here, one can not only enjoy the breathtaking natural scenery but also deeply feel the profoundness of Tibetan culture. ]]

Tibet Ali.

On the 14th, Ali's Great Northern Line and Central Line crossing is considered China's top off-road route. Three extreme sensory experiences: beautiful and magnificent, desolate and grand, and the exploration of Buddhist culture. A pilgrimage to snow-capped mountains: Mount Everest, Shishapangma, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Naimona'nyi, Mount Kailash, Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains... It is also a journey of 'one lake after another': Yamdrok Lake, Peiku Tso, Gongzhucuo, Lake Rakshastal, Lake Manasarovar, Ang Laren Tso, Renqingxiubu Tso, Taruo Tso, Zhari Namco, Zabuye Salt Lake, Dangre Yongcuo, Dangqung Tso, Siling Co, Bamu Tso, Namtso... It is also a flow of civilization, the disappeared Guge Kingdom, the once-prosperous Zhangzhung Kingdom; and the numerous temples along the way, some belonging to the Gelug sect, some to the Sakya sect, and some to the Bon religion.

2023-10-16 Sichuan Yunnan Tibet Xinjiang Gansu Qinghai

2023-10-16 I arrived at Bagha very late last night. I went out at 8:30 this morning to take a look at Gang Rinpoche. Gang Rinpoche is the first sacred mountain in Tibet. The weather was bad. I quickly went to Mapang Yongcuo. Mapang Yongcuo is the first of the three sacred lakes. There are many birds living here. The weather changed after 5 o'clock. I originally came out to see the sunset of the Ghost Lake. The Ghost Lake is next to Mapang Yongcuo. Although the weather was bad, we also walked around the Ghost Lake for a while. I couldn't take pictures of the starry sky at night

Mapang Yumco | Finally took a picture of the house by the "sea"

| Finally took a picture of the house by the "sea". Mapang Yumco is one of the three major holy lakes in Tibet, it is the freshwater lake with the highest transparency, mainly replenished by glacial meltwater and rainwater, and there are many hot springs distributed around it. On the hill by the lake, there is a temple called Ji Wu Temple. The temple stands quietly on the high ground, the prayer flags outside the temple flutter in the wind, and the believers climb the mountain along the trail to worship. No matter how the clouds churn and the wind howls, it always gives people a sense of calm. There is a road next to Ji Wu Temple that winds down to the small village by the lake. The houses are white and yellow, and they look particularly bright next to the blue lake. I have always wanted to take a picture of the house and the sea in the same frame, and now it has been realized, it is a photo I really like. There is also a cliff next to Ji Wu Temple. I happened to meet a warm-hearted brother who helped me find the way and showed me the video he took. The Mapang Yumco under the cliff is really beautiful, reminding me of the white cliffs in England. Unfortunately, the wind was too strong at the time and the drone couldn't take it. But I saw the red-billed gulls flying against the wind, the stronger the wind, the more vigorous they flew, this is probably "Life is not about how to live through the storm, but how to dance in the rain". If the weather is good, you can also see the main peak of the Gangdise Mountains - Gang Rinpoche Peak and Namunani Peak of the Himalayas. 📍Location: Pulan County, Ali Region, Tibet 💰Tickets: The parking area next to Ji Wu Temple is free, if you want to go inside the scenic area by the lake, you need to pay 🚗How to get there: There is no public transportation, you can drive/charter a car to get there, just navigate to "Ji Wu Temple"

Tibet Ali.

On the 14th, Ali's Great Northern Line and Central Line crossing is considered China's top off-road route. Three extreme sensory experiences: beautiful and magnificent, desolate and grand, and the exploration of Buddhist culture. A pilgrimage to snow-capped mountains: Mount Everest, Shishapangma, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Naimona'nyi, Mount Kailash, Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains... It is also a journey of 'one lake after another': Yamdrok Lake, Peiku Tso, Gongzhucuo, Lake Rakshastal, Lake Manasarovar, Ang Laren Tso, Renqingxiubu Tso, Taruo Tso, Zhari Namco, Zabuye Salt Lake, Dangre Yongcuo, Dangqung Tso, Siling Co, Bamu Tso, Namtso... It is also a flow of civilization, the disappeared Guge Kingdom, the once-prosperous Zhangzhung Kingdom; and the numerous temples along the way, some belonging to the Gelug sect, some to the Sakya sect, and some to the Bon religion.

From Zha Dapu, you need to return to the Balbest Station first, then continue eastbound along G219, then transfer to the 207 Provincial Highway, passing through the holy lake Malang and the ghost lake Laon. Langang, known as Ghost Lake, Tibetan means "poisonous black lake", located in Pulan County, Ali, at an altitude of 4,574 meters, separated from the holy lake of fresh water, is a brackish water lake, so its lakes and animals are Can not drink, so there is a "ghost lake." Ghost Lake Laangso is a close neighbor of the holy lake. The scenery is equally beautiful. The lake is also blue and fascinating, but it is deceptively labeled as Ghost Lake. In fact, the holy lake of Ghost Lake was originally a lake. Later, the debris contained in the glaciers accumulated in the middle of the original Great Lake after the glaciers melted, causing the lake bed to rise. After that, global warming, evaporation increased the glacial shrinkage, the amount of recharge water decreased, and the lake area shrank. The lake's water level dropped, and finally it was divided into the current holy lake and ghost lake. Take the Ghost Lake for three consecutive days. The scenery of the Ghost Lake is different in different weather. The lake is dark blue when the weather is fine. When you are lucky, you can see the Mount Kinabalu. Walk the lake, the cold wind rushes to the surface, and the sound of the waves is touching.

The car was on a hill and could not see Mabian. Turn around, Scorpio, this is too beautiful! Ghost Lake is the most beautiful lake I have ever seen in Tibet. I can't tell what kind of beauty! All in all, its blue! Blue! Blue and blue! It is not like the holy lake, it is decorated with temples, prayer flags and Tibetans. It uses its pure blue to conquer the people who came here. After coming out of Pulan, I always remembered Ghost Lake. Actually, I saw the photo of Ghost Lake and Gang Rinpoche! Shen, I know these places, but I didn't go to the map at all. I went to Ali as a ride, where to go, so you can imagine the Ghost Lake. Surprise?

Lhasa-Shannan-Tingri-Ali-Shigatse trip

🚗🚗🚗Travel Route: Day1: Lhasa Shambhala Paradise International Hotel (Potala Palace Branch) → Yamdrok Lake → Karola Glacier → Manla Reservoir → Baiju Temple → Shigatse Hilton Hotel Day2: Lhazê County Qulong Qiangzhi Monastery → Tingri County Cultural Center → Pincuo Kangsang Mount Everest Base Camp Oxygen-rich Hotel Day3: Mount Shishapangma → Peiku Tso → Saga County Buzha Monastery → Zhongba Tiansheng Holiday Hotel Day4: Gongzhu Tso → Mount Kailash → Lake Manasarovar → Lang Co → Purang Yincheng Ecological Hotel → Sênggêzangbo → Tibet Ali Grand Hotel Day5: Zanda County Ritigang Monastery → Zanda Gangga Disi Hotel Day6: Hanting Hotel (Ali Cuoqin Branch) Day7: Zhari Namco → Dangra Yumco → Wenbu Nan Village Day8: Dangqiong Co → Selin Co → Nyima County Zhongxiangxiong Cultural Tourism Hotel Day9:

Lhasa-Shannan-Tingri-Ali-Shigatse trip

🚗🚗🚗Travel Route: Day1: Lhasa Snowland Paradise International Hotel (Potala Palace Branch) → Yamdrok Lake → Karola Glacier → Manla Reservoir → Baiju Monastery → Shigatse Hilton Hotel Day2: Lhazê County Qulong Qiangzhi Monastery → Tingri County Cultural Center → Pincuo Kangsang Mount Everest Base Camp Oxygen-rich Hotel Day3: Mount Shishapangma → Peiku Lake → Saga County Buzha Monastery → Zhongba Tiansheng Holiday Hotel Day4: Gongzhu Lake → Mount Kailash → Lake Manasarovar → Lang Co → Purang Yincheng Eco Hotel → Sênggê Zangbo → Tibet Ali Grand Hotel Day5: Zanda County Ritigang Monastery → Zanda Gangga Disi Hotel Day6: Hanting Hotel (Ali Cuoqin Branch) Day7: Zhari Namco → Dangra Yumco → Wenbu Nan Village Day8: Dangqiong Co → Selin Co → Nyima County Zhongxiang Xiong Cultural Tourism Hotel Day9:

Lhasa-Shannan-Tingri-Ali-Shigatse trip

🚗🚗🚗Travel Route: Day1: Lhasa Shambhala Paradise International Hotel (Potala Palace Branch) → Yamdrok Lake → Karola Glacier → Manla Reservoir → Baiju Temple → Shigatse Hilton Hotel Day2: Lhazê County Qulong Qiangzhi Monastery → Tingri County Cultural Center → Pincuo Kangsang Mount Everest Base Camp Oxygen-rich Hotel Day3: Mount Shishapangma → Peiku Tso → Saga County Buzha Monastery → Zhongba Tiansheng Holiday Hotel Day4: Gongzhu Tso → Mount Kailash → Lake Manasarovar → Lang Co → Purang Yincheng Ecological Hotel → Sênggêzangbo → Tibet Ali Grand Hotel Day5: Zanda County Ritigang Monastery → Zanda Gangga Disi Hotel Day6: Hanting Hotel (Ali Cuoqin Branch) Day7: Zhari Namco → Dangra Yumco → Wenbu Nan Village Day8: Dangqiong Co → Selin Co → Nyima County Zhongxiangxiong Cultural Tourism Hotel Day9:

Lhasa-Shannan-Tingri-Ali-Shigatse trip

🚗🚗🚗Travel Route: Day1: Lhasa Snowland Paradise International Hotel (Potala Palace Branch) → Yamdrok Lake → Karola Glacier → Manla Reservoir → Baiju Monastery → Shigatse Hilton Hotel Day2: Lhazê County Qulong Qiangzhi Monastery → Tingri County Cultural Center → Pincuo Kangsang Mount Everest Base Camp Oxygen-rich Hotel Day3: Mount Shishapangma → Peiku Lake → Saga County Buzha Monastery → Zhongba Tiansheng Holiday Hotel Day4: Gongzhu Lake → Mount Kailash → Lake Manasarovar → Lang Co → Purang Yincheng Eco Hotel → Sênggê Zangbo → Tibet Ali Grand Hotel Day5: Zanda County Ritigang Monastery → Zanda Gangga Disi Hotel Day6: Hanting Hotel (Ali Cuoqin Branch) Day7: Zhari Namco → Dangra Yumco → Wenbu Nan Village Day8: Dangqiong Co → Selin Co → Nyima County Zhongxiang Xiong Cultural Tourism Hotel Day9: