Ngari

– Ridge Of The World’s Ridges

Ngari (Western Tibet) refers primarily to Mount Kailash’s area, including the holy lake Mansarovar, Rakshas Tal, Ali, Purang, Tholing, and the ruined city Tseparang (The Guge Kingdom). 

Ngari is one of the least populated regions in the Tibet autonomous region bordering Nepal and India. The average elevation of the Ngari region is 5000 metres above sea level. 

How to get to Ngari?

There are three possible ways of entering this region:

1. Going to Lhasa via any city in mainland China and travelling through local travel agencies by tourist vehicles. There is also a flight from Lhasa to Ali Kunsha airport every day. 
2. By crossing the Karakoram Highway from Pakistan, going to Kashgar in Xingjiang, and arranging an organised tour to Ali via Yecheng.
3. With an organised tour group departing from Kathmandu. 

When is the best time to visit Ngari?

The best time to visit the Ngari region is from May to September. This is because all the pilgrims and tourists are going to see Ngari between these months.

But May, June, September, and early October are the best times and the best time to do the kora around Mt. Kailash. In the wintertime, it’s freezing there, and not possible to make the kora.

Read more about How To Plan the Mount Kailash Tour.

How is the climate in Ngari?

Ngari is the driest and lowest temperature area in Tibet’s autonomous region. The average elevation of the Ngari region is 5000 metres, and hard to find trees in most of the regions.

The monsoon season in the Ngari region is in July and August, but there are no heavy rains. The annual precipitation is less than 100 millimetres.

What are the top tourist attractions in Ngari?

At the heart of the region, Mount Kailash is, without doubt, the most popular and sacred. Kailash is the focal point for pilgrims and tourists around the world.

Before Mount Kailash lies the two holy lakes of Mansarovar(4600m) and Rakshas Tal(4584m). For the Buddhist followers, both lakes were sacred, but the Hindus believe that Rakshas Tal is the Devil Lake where the Devil Rawan lives.

Further to the west of Kailash, there is the Tholing monastery that dates back to the 10th century in Zanda County. The county is one of the lowest elevations in the Ngari region, with a height of 3800 metres. The famously lost kingdom of Guge is just 25 kilometres west of the county. 

Moreover, Gurugyam Monastery is one of the holy monasteries of the Bonpo religion in the Ngari region. The monastery was built in 1936 by Khyungtrul Yungdrung Gyaltsen Pelsangpo. Therefore, we also have Bon Spiritual Tours, especially for the Bon followers.

Ngari Map