From Gyirong to Saga: Encountering Zhazala Pass and Scenic Views Along the Way
Saga County is under the jurisdiction of Shigatse City in the Tibet Autonomous Region, and its Tibetan name means "Lovely Place."
Our original plan was to leave Gyirong and head directly to Zhongba for an overnight stay before entering Ngari Jinlan. However, after having breakfast in Gyirong, I felt stomach discomfort, guessing it might be due to eating fried dough sticks (pre-packaged food) and accidentally catching a chill. After about an hour and a half drive, we arrived at Saga County town. Considering we were already at an altitude above 4,000 meters on the plateau, we didn’t want to take any chances. Gyirong County town (Zongga Town) is at about 4,200 meters elevation, and Saga County town (Jiaja Town) is at 4,513 meters. So we quickly found a hotel in Saga County town to stay, and I stayed in the room resting without lunch. By 3 p.m., the condition hadn’t improved. I checked on my phone and found a hospital just 200 meters from the hotel—Saga Jiancang Hospital. I walked there for a consultation; the hospital was well-equipped but appeared quite empty and quiet, with very few patients. The doctor who treated me was a medical aid doctor from Zhengzhou, Henan. The doctor arranged blood tests and a CT scan, which showed no issues, and prescribed three boxes of medicine before I returned to the hotel.
Back at the hotel, I felt much better. In the end, I didn’t take any medicine, and my body gradually recovered.
1. Introduction to Saga
Located on the northern foothills of the Himalayas, south of the Gangdise Mountains, upstream of the Yarlung Tsangpo River, it borders Angren County to the east, Zhongba County to the west, Coqin County to the north, Nyalam County and Gyirong County to the southeast, and shares a 105-kilometer border with Nepal to the southwest.
The average elevation is above 4,600 meters, classified as a highland mountainous area, with terrain sloping from north to east. The north is bordered by the Gangdise Mountains, the south by the Himalayas, with many high mountains in between such as Qiangla Mountain and Tongrilumbu Mountain.
It belongs to a high-altitude cold semi-arid climate zone, with thin air, abundant sunshine, large temperature differences between day and night, dry and cold conditions, only warm and cold seasons, annual sunshine hours between 3,000-3,400, a frost-free period of about 105 days, and annual precipitation of 280 millimeters.
The grasslands are vast, covering a total area of 39.75 million mu. Wildlife resources are rich, including wild yaks, wild donkeys, and Tibetan antelopes. Mineral resources mainly include iron, copper, lead, and gold.
2. Travel Guide
1. Recommended Attractions
Lengbugangri: At 7,095 meters, it is the highest peak of the Gangdise Mountains, surrounded by a vast glacier group. The Lengbugangri hiking circuit is a popular high-altitude trekking route favored by outdoor enthusiasts, taking about 5-6 days in total.
Pulaxiqiong: At about 6,530 meters, it has a perfect pyramid shape and is known as the "King of the Gangdise Mountains." Starting from Saga County town, drive about 59 kilometers along G219 to Ruojiao Township, then take a dirt road to reach the mountain foot. It is recommended to use a rugged off-road vehicle.
Dajiling Monastery: Located about 40 kilometers west of the county town, founded in 1729, belonging to the Gelug school, it is a subordinate monastery of Lhasa’s Jokhang Temple. The old monastery ruins and stupa group on the western hill have a profound historical charm, and you can also look south to the Yarlung Tsangpo River and the Himalayas.
Danga "Jiaxie" Dance: Originating from Danga Township, with a history of over 1,300 years, it is a national intangible cultural heritage. During performances, men and women wear colorful traditional costumes with vigorous and powerful movements, often performed in fields during festival celebrations.
2. Best Travel Time
May to October is recommended, as the climate is relatively mild and roads are accessible. The best time to trek Lengbugangri is from June to September.
3. Required Documents
A border pass is required to enter Saga County. It is recommended to apply at the local public security bureau of your household registration, or alternatively in Lhasa or Shigatse.
4. Accommodation and Dining
Accommodations are mainly concentrated in Jiaja Town, the county seat, with hotels and guesthouses of various standards available. Restaurants mainly serve Sichuan and Tibetan cuisine, where you can try specialties like tsampa, butter tea, and barley wine.
5. Precautions
Altitude sickness is the biggest challenge; move slowly and prepare sufficient medication. Exercise caution when driving on unpaved roads, paying attention to vehicle condition and road status. Also, respect local religious customs.