Live report from Pulan on March 5th, it’s truly breathtaking
Before coming here, I thought the most beautiful scenery in Tibet was in Lhasa. But after arriving in Pulan, I realized the real grandeur lies where you’re closer to the sky! Sacred mountains and holy lakes, snowy peaks and earth forests—every day here redefines my idea of “beauty”!
🚤【5 Days 4 Nights Pilgrimage Route|More Than Just Circumambulation】
In Pulan, circumambulating the mountain is the ultimate goal, but not the only one. Even without the circumambulation, the journey around the sacred mountains and lakes alone is unforgettable for a lifetime.
Day 1: Arrive in Lhasa · Acclimate to Altitude (Recommended)
Strongly recommend resting 2-3 days in Lhasa (elevation 3,650 meters) to adapt to the high altitude. Visit the Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple, sip some sweet tea, and prepare your body.
Day 2: Head to Ngari · Scenic Route Along the Way
Depart from Lhasa, follow National Highway 318 then switch to National Highway 219, heading west. Along the way, you’ll pass Yamdrok Lake, Karola Glacier, Gyantse Fortress, and Tashilhunpo Monastery (Shigatse). Your eyes won’t get a moment’s rest.
Overnight in Shigatse or Saga.
Day 3: First Sight of the Sacred Mountains · Arrive at Taqin
Continue onward. After passing the Tugu La Pass and entering the vast Hor Grassland, two sacred mountains come into view: Namu Nani Peak on the left and the more distant Mount Kailash on the right.
Arrive in the main base camp for circumambulation—Taqin—in the afternoon. Check into your accommodation, and if you’re feeling good, visit Lake Manasarovar and Lake Rakshastal to enjoy the sunset over the sacred mountains and lakes.
Day 4: Deep into the Holy Lakes · Spiritual Cleansing
Early morning, wait for sunrise by Lake Manasarovar. Watch the golden sunlight gradually illuminate Namu Nani Peak, and the lake’s surface is painted with colors.
Then drive to Jiwu Monastery, a small temple perched on a mountaintop, one of the best spots to overlook Lake Manasarovar and gaze at Mount Kailash in the distance.
In the afternoon, visit Lake Rakshastal to feel its solitude and mystery. At sunset, the scenery here is hauntingly beautiful.
Stay overnight again in Taqin.
Day 5: Explore the Guge Kingdom · Twilight of a Dynasty
(If time permits) Continue west from Pulan to the Zhada Earth Forest and the ruins of the Guge Kingdom. The Zhada Earth Forest is the world’s most typical and largest earth forest with unique landforms. The Guge Kingdom ruins lie within, telling the story of a mysterious civilization that vanished overnight 700 years ago. Overnight in Zhada County.
🏨【Accommodation Guide|A Warm Harbor on the Plateau】
In Pulan, don’t expect too much from accommodations. Clean, warm, and with hot water is the greatest happiness.
• Taqin Town: The hub for pilgrims, with many guesthouses and inns. Conditions are basic, mostly shared bathrooms, and power outages at night are possible. Beds cost 100-150 RMB per person, standard rooms 300-600 RMB per night. Examples include “Kailash Pilgrimage Hotel” and “Beichuan Hotel.”
• Pulan County Town: Slightly better accommodations than Taqin, with some decent hotels, but farther from the sacred mountains and lakes (about 1.5 hours by car).
• Hor Township: Located by Lake Manasarovar, with a few guesthouses and simple lodges. Conditions are rustic, but the view of the holy lake right outside the window is unbeatable.
⚠️Avoid pitfalls: Book well in advance during peak season (July-September)! No disposable toiletries are provided anywhere, so bring your own. Nights on the plateau are extremely cold; electric blankets are standard in rooms.
📸【Photography Guide|Capture the Majesty of the Sacred Mountains】
Mount Kailash: Best times to shoot are early morning and evening during the “golden sunlight on the mountain.” Good spots include near the checkpoint on National Highway 219, around Taqin Town, and the top of Jiwu Monastery. When photographing the starry sky, the Milky Way often rises behind the sacred mountain, creating a stunning scene.
Lake Manasarovar: From the top of Jiwu Monastery, you can capture panoramic views of the holy lake. Near Hor Township, you can photograph the lake with Namu Nani Peak as the backdrop. Prayer flags and white stupas by the lake make excellent foregrounds.
Lake Rakshastal: Find a uniquely shaped rock by the lake as a foreground to capture the eerie darkness of the “Ghost Lake” and the distant sacred mountains. When the wind stirs the lake’s waves, it enhances its mysterious aura.
Namu Nani Peak: On the road to Pulan County Town, there are multiple angles to photograph this snowy peak known as the “Wife of the Sacred Mountain.” It looks equally pure and beautiful under the sunset.
💡【Pre-Trip Preparation|Survival Manual】
Border Permit: Crucial! Obtain it at your household registration location or in Tibet, specifying “Ngari Prefecture” or “Pulan County, Zhada County.”
Altitude Sickness Prevention: Start taking Rhodiola a week in advance (effects vary). Bring altitude sickness medicine, ibuprofen (for headaches), and oral glucose solution. Oxygen tanks can be purchased in Lhasa or Taqin.
Cold Weather Gear: Even in summer, a windbreaker/down jacket is essential! Temperature differences between day and night are huge, and nights can drop below freezing.
Sun Protection and Moisturizing: The higher the SPF, the better. SPF 50+ sunscreen, sun hats, and sunglasses are must-haves. Bring plenty of hand cream, lip balm, and moisturizing cream.
Medications: Pack common medicines like cold medicine, stomach medicine, and band-aids.
Cash: Electronic payments are less common in Ngari Prefecture than in Lhasa. Many places only accept cash, especially small shops and tea houses in Taqin.