Due to its lower altitude and unique location, Nyingchi, situated in eastern Tibet, enjoys a temperate semi-humid climate that promotes the growth of lush, green forested areas. Milder weather prevails most of the year, which makes it an ideal place to travel to no matter when you are visiting. The permanently evergreen region of Tibet, Nyingchi has a wealth of astounding things to see and do for the discerning traveler.
Stroll along Enchanting Niyang River, esp. for Peach Blossoms in Spring
The stunning Niyang River, with the mountains of the Himalayas in the background
The longest tributary of the Yarlung Tsangpo River, the Niyang River valley is crystal clear and renowned for its breathtaking beauty. In Tibetan, the name means “the sad tears of a fairy”, and the river is one of the must-visit locations in Nyingchi Prefecture. The upper reaches of the river lie in a vast flat meadow, while the lower reaches are hemmed in by dense forests on both banks.
The riverbank is also one of the most popular places for tourists in the spring, to see the beauty of the stupendous peach blossoms. These trees bloom in early spring, and the whole riverbank is covered with lilac and violet blossoms. And spring is the ideal time for the famous Peach Blossom Festivals.
Enjoy Scenic Trek in Nyingchi
Trekking in Nyingchi with expert Tibetan guide, Namgyal
Trekking in Nyingchi is best done in May and September, just before and after the rains, though you can trek from early May to early October. In the spring, the best route for those that want to view the stunning azalea blossoms in the mountains lies on the route from Baifengtai to the Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon.
The best hiking routes in Nyingchi for tourists include the Namche Barwa Base Camp Trek, the Holy Lake Nalatso Trek, and the Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon Trek. Trekking through the many valleys of Nyingchi allows you the chance to visit local villages, explore the Tibetan lifestyles, and enjoy the spectacular natural landscapes.
Explore Lulang Forest, Amazing Pastoral Scene and Natural “Oxygen Bar” in Nyingchi
Visitors making the most of the sheer beauty of the Lulang Forest in Nyingchi
One of the most beautiful stretches of landscape in the world is the ancient and primeval Lulang Forest, lying next to the Sichuan Tibet Highway a short drive from Bayi County. The Tibetan name translates to mean “the place that will make you forget your home”, and this outstanding plateau-mountain meadow can do just that. - Check the tour to Lulang Forest.
Climbing up the many steps of the Lulang Forest Viewing Platforms for the best views
Tour the Incredible Draksum-tso Lake
The blue-green waters of Draksum-Tso, surrounded by snow-capped mountains
Fed by glaciers and emptying out into the Bar River, Draksum-Tso, also known as Basum Tso, is one of the most famous scenic spots in the TAR. Lying in Gongbo'gyamda County, the lake is listed as one of the top tourist spots in the world by the World Tourism Organization.
Surrounded by snow-capped mountains and dense forests, this alpine lake is one of the most beautiful spots in Tibet. The northwest shore of the lake has a giant stone with a hole through it, which people walk through to obtain merits and pray for the cure of illnesses.
Taking the speedboat to the small island and the holy sites
In the middle of the lake lies a small island of around 2,000 square meters known as Tashi Island. The island is the home of the Tsozong Gongba Monastery, and the main access to the island is by boat. Boat trips to the island across the lake also head for the sacred spots at the far end of the lake, where you can land and walk to the holy sites. One of the sites is a waterfall, where the pilgrims that visit rub themselves against the stones and squeeze into the crevices to attain merits.
Exploring the Tsozong Gongba Monastery on the small island in Draksum-Tso
The small island in the lake is the site of the small Tsozong Gongba Monastery, a Nyingma Sect monastery that dates back to around 1400. Tsozong Gongba literally means “castle in the lake”, and is made up of four small buildings surrounding an inner courtyard. The monastery now only houses a few nuns from the Nyingma tradition but has been linked to the famous Tibetan opera, the Epic of King Gesar. The short kora around the monastery passes by seven almost imperceptible holy site, including the famous “body-print” of King Gesar and a small sky-burial site.
Taste the Famous Stone-pot Chicken in Nyingchi
Getting a first taste of the famous Nyingchi Stone-pot Chicken
Nyingchi Stone-pot Chicken served in a typical stone cauldron
Tibet has a lot of unique dishes, but none is as famous as the tasty Nyingchi Stone-pot Chicken, one of the most delicious of all Tibetan dishes served in Nyingchi. A soup made from local Tibetan chicken, the soup also includes ingredients such as ginseng, Dangshen, conic gymnadenia tuber, radix-polygoni multiflori, angelica, Tibetan caladium, yam slices, rhizoma gastrodiae, coix seed, lily root, ginger, pepper, red dates, medlar, and a host of special local spices. A delicious, and mildly spicy dish, it is only found in its original form in this one place in Tibet.
But what is unique about this dish is the pot it is cooked in. The stone pot is made by carving out a cauldron from a single piece of stone that is mined from the scarce natural steatite that is only found on the steep cliffs of the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) River in Nyingchi. The rock used contains zinc, calcium, and several other elements, all of which are believed in Tibetan medicine to be good for the health. - Find out what to eat and drink in Tibet.
Enjoy Cycling in Nyingchi
For those that love cycling, there are few better places in the world than through the stunning alpine areas of Nyingchi for delightful scenic rides. Renowned as one of the best places for cycling and mountain biking in Tibet, Nyingchi also plays host to the now-famous Mountain Bike Tour of Basum Tso, the highest mountain bike race in China. - Click for more places to cycle across Tibet.
Cycling along the scenic roads through the mountains in Nyingchi
With the stunning Swiss-Alps scenery and landscapes, filled with rich verdant valleys and high snow-covered mountains, a cycling tour through Nyingchi is one of the most exhilarating Tibetan experiences you can have. With the higher oxygen levels, we also offer several tours of the region.
View the Mighty Summit of Mt. Namche Barwa
The spectacular view of Namche Barwa, the highest peak in Nyingchi
The highest mountain in Nyingchi, the peak of Namche Barwa sits at an altitude of 7,782 meters above sea level. One of the two entrance-mountains for the vast Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon, the summit rises 5,382 meters above the canyon below. In Tibetan, Namche Barwa literally means “burning thunders”, and the mountain was described in the Epic of King Gesar as “a spear that pierced the sky”. The mountain can be seen from several places in the area, though the best places to observe the peak are at the Mount Segyi La Observatory at the Segyi La Pass, and the Tripe Observatory.
Tour Giant Cypress Nature Reserve
Standing next to the world’s oldest trees in Nyingchi
Known as the King Cypress, the largest of the Giant Cypress trees in Nyingchi stands more than 50 meters (162.5 ft.) tall and is more than 5.8 meters (18.85ft.) in diameter. A unique breed of cypress tree that is indigenous to Nyingchi, these giant trees grow on the slopes of the Yarlung Tsangpo River at an altitude of 3,040 meters, and average around 44 meters tall. The King Cypress is believed to be more than 2,500 years old, and is said to pre-date even Buddha. And local legend connects the tree to Tonpa Shenrab Miwoche, the ancient founder of the Bon Religion in Tibet. A whole forest filled with the tallest trees in Asia, this is one of the most humbling experiences in Tibet.
Photograph the Magnificent Midui Glacier
The view up the valley of the beautiful Midui Glacier
Rated to be one of the six most beautiful glaciers in China, the Midui Glacier in Yupu Town of Bome County is one of the most thrilling sights in Tibet. Famous for the giant ice basin at the tongue of the glacier, as well as the frequent avalanches and ice cascades, this massive river of solid ice co-exists with the forests, lakes, and mountains in peaceful harmony. Formed from the convergence of two beautiful ice waterfalls, which lie either side of a stretch of lush green forest, the glacier extends its leading edge right into the subtropical forests of broad-leafed evergreen trees.
Finally, Never Miss Out the picture-postcard Ranwu Lake
Spectacular Ranwu Lake, surrounded by massive snow-covered peaks
Surrounded by peaks of more than 5,000 meters and virgin forests, Ranwu Lake in Nyingchi is the largest lake in Southeast Tibet. The name of the lake means “the place where dead bodies pile up”, and it is said that it is the place of a legendary war between men and monkeys, in which the men tricked the monkeys into fighting each other until all but one was dead. The lake is surrounded by many amazing sights, including the Azhagongla Glacier to the south and the Bosula Peak to the northeast. The lake is often named as one of the most beautiful sights in Tibet, and is an oil-painting in real life.
With Nyingchi locals
Tsomogkyire
Conclusion
If you have any doubts about visiting Nyingchi, then you need to put them aside and take a trip to this evergreen land of Tibet. One of the most beautiful places in the world, this small elongated region of the plateau is filled with wondrous sights, stunning snow-capped mountains, luscious jade and blue-green lakes, and a wealth of green forests and meadows that will leave you breathless. From the beauty of the Midui Glacier and the crystal clear waters of Draksum-Tso to the heights of Namche Barwa and the delicious taste of the Stone-Pot Chicken, Nyingchi is a place where everyone can find something to give them a reason to visit.
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