Nari (Ngari), the roof of “the roof of the world” is a mysterious place and a virgin area to be explored. With an average altitude of about 4800 metres, it is located at the far west of Tibet Autonomous region, with Shiquanhe as its political centre. To its west is Kirshmir area, to its south is India and Nepal. The Xingjian-Tibet highway runs through from North to South and then winds towards the southeast to Lhasa.
In Nari, there are plenty of beauties to see. The main attraction is its highness and wilderness. The top visits in here are trekking the Mount Kailash, and watching the Holy Lake Manasarovar.
The milestones along the road are: Lhasa -430km -Latse - 298km -Saga -180km -Zhongba -75km- Paryang -150km- Maxula pass-132km- Baga -196km- Namru -136km- Gar
Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar are at Baga area. Mount Kailash is 25km to the north of Baga whereas Manasarovar is 21km to the south of Baga. Mount Namonani (7694m) is to the south of the Lake Manasarovar.
For adventurers, they have an alternative route; the first is starting from Lhasa, passing by Shigatse, Lhatse, and Saga and to Baga village. The second route to Nari is starting the tour from Nepal side, through Zhangmu into China, then drive to Nyalam, the Laxongla pass, passing by Jirong and Saga to Baga village.
The road condition depends on weather. The best time to tour Nari (Mount Kailash & Lake Manasarovar) is from May through June, and From September to Middle of October. The difficult duration is during July, August and early September because the rainfall makes the road muddy and the jeeps and trucks are easy to be caught in the roads.
About Mount Kailash:
Mount Kailash (6656m) is located in the west of Tibet, bordering with western section of Nepal. The average elevation of this area is about 4500 metres. The Xingjian-Tibet highway winds its way past it in the southern side. About 100km to the south of MountKailash is Mount Namonani (7694m). Mount Namonani is called the Wisdom Goddess of the 5 holy mountains, Mount Everest being one of them.
Pilgrims of Tibetan Buddhism, the Hinduism and the Bon religion take MountKailash as their own sacred site, all agreeing that MountKailash is the center of the world.
Tachen is the starting point of trekking, at an altitude of 4586 metres. The girth of the circulation is 56km, from Tachen to Jiwu monastery through Manasarovar is about 45kilometres and the distance between Tachen and the highway is about 23kilometres.
Holy Lake Manasarovar:
Manasarovar is the holiest in the hearts of pilgrims out of the countless Lakes on this highland. Manasarovar is at an elevation of 4,588m above sea level and is proud to be the highest fresh water Lake in the world. The water area of the Lake is 412 square kilometres, the girth of the Lake is about 84 kilometres and it takes 3-5 days to circulate the holy mountain. There are many monasteries including the Nangla ,Jiwu ,Gochu, Chugu,Serelong and Benri monasteries to name a few. According to legends there are four “gates” around the Lake, It is believed that one is blessed by the God by bathing in the Lake and will get rid of his/her sins committed (if any!).
Four famous rivers in the world stem from here, which are named in Tibetan language after the shape of the locations from where they originate: Lion River, Elephant River, Horse River and the Peacock River.
Recommended Tours to Nari and Around
A/ Going into Tibet by road from Nepal side:
Zhangmu - Nyalam - Jirong - Saga - Paryang - Baga - MountKailash - Trekking - Saga - Lhatse - Shigatse - Lhasa city :15 days tour
Zhangmu -Nyalam - Jirong - Saga - Paryang - Baga - MountKailash - Trekking - Saga - Lhatse- Tingri - Mount Everest –Zhangmu: 13 days tour
B/ Going into Tibet by flight from Kathmandu, Nepal or other city of China (Chengdu, Shanghai, or Beijing) and onwards as below:
Lhasa - Shigatse - Lhatse - Saga - Zhongba - Baga - Holy Lake - Mount Kailash - back to – Lhasa: 17 Days tour
Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse - Daoban - Tsoching - Gaize - Gegye - Gar(Shiquanhe) - Tsada - Baga(Holy mountain and Lake area) - Paryang - Sarga - Jirong - Mount Everest - Shigatse - Lhasa 20 days tour
Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse - Lhatse - Baga - Mount Kailash - Trekking - Zhongba - Jilong - Nyalam - Zhangmu - Into Nepal: 15 days tour |
