Ngari Introduction

Ngari is a frontier in one of the remotest corners of asia. Located in the western Tibet Autonomous Region, Ngari Prefecture borders India, Nepal and Indian Kashmir and is contiguous with Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China, to the north and Xigaze, Tibet to the south. Ngari has a total area of 310,000 sq. kilometers, accounting for one forth of Tibet. Ngari is has average altitude of 4500 m above sea level and is often referred as a 'Roof of The World'. It is an area with the lowest population density in the world. It has undulated chains of mountains, numerous lakes and vast champaign, where fascinating mysteries in history, culture and religions are concealed.

NGARI FEATURES:

Making the pilgrimage to Mt. Kailash (Gang Rimpoche in Tibetan) is a spectacular experience. Mt Kailash is deemed the spiritual center of Buddhism, Hinduism and the indigenous religion-Bon. Gang Rimpoche means the "treasures of the snow mountains". It is also the temple of God Siva in Hinduism. Considered as a holy mount, Mount Kailash has been worshipped by people from home and abroad since one thousand years ago.

Visiting the sacred Lake Manasarovar (Mapham Yutso in Tibetan) with its blue waters, sandy shoreline and snow capped- mountain backdrop, is water offering to the mount kailash. According to ancient hindu and buddhist cosmology the four great rivers of indian subcontinent, the indus, ganga, sutlej and Brahmaputra, arise from manasarovar, though in reality only sutlej originates at the lake.

Near the Lake Manasarova is the Lake Rakshas Tal. you cannot observe even a single fish in it and is also called (Tuktso in Tibetan) Ghost Lake. The scene there is so peaceful that it feels like the edge of the universe. In addition, there is a small temple named Chiu Temple situated around these two lakes. Although it is small, the murals and Buddha figures inside the temple were preserved and worth viewing.

Tholing monastery is also situated in Ngari and was established during the Guge kingdom. It was the first Buddhist temple in Ngari. Close to the Tholing Monastery is the Mound Forest, which showcases the unique naturally made mounds on both sides of the Sutlej River.

The prefecture is also gifted with Great Rivers like Sutlej[flowing through the western part of Indian subtropic land], Ganga[flowing through the eastern part of Indian subtropic land], Indus[flowing into Pakistain area] and Brahmaputra[flowing parallel to Himalayas into Eastern part of india].

HOW TO GET THERE:

The highways connect Ngari with other major cities of Tibet. There are four main highways that cut through Ngari. One route is link from Dham(Zhangmu) to Ali(Ngari), one from Lhasa to Ali, one from Lhasa to Sang-Sang then North(Jangthang) to Ali and finally from Xinjiang to Ali. An airport planned to 2010.

There are few public buses from lhasa and Shigatse city. But indipendent travellers are stickly forbidden in Tibet. So it is better to book a trip from local tour operator in Tibet.

The travellers are required three types of permits from Lhasa to get to Ngari. First you need Tibet permit before entrying into the Tibet. Secondly, you are asked for Allien's travel permit and atlast you need permits from the Militery Head Quater in Lhasa. So you can get to Ngari only through the Assistant from the local Tour Operator.

TIPS:

The best season to travel to Ngari is between April to August. But June and july are not too suitable to travel to Ngari as it can cause a trouble during driving by flushing the rough bumpy roads.

Days can be hot though, its experience pretty cold during night time. It is better to know that Tibetans living in Ngari say it is spring season but foreigners feels it like still winter. So you are better to bring thick clothes during travel in Ngari.