Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Zhongba to Paryang (101km)
A photogenic section of sand dunes, lake and mountains kicks in 60km from Zhongba.
About 23km before Paryang you crest a 4780m pass and drop past more spectacular dunes
to Paryang. Photos taken along this route can often get steppes, streams, desert dunes and
snowcapped mountains in the same shot.
Paryang to Hor Qu
The route is a pleasant drive along the spine of the Himalaya, passing through yellow
steppes, with craggy, snowcapped peaks looming to the south when the weather is clear. At
the
Mayum-la
(5220m), the road crosses from the drainage basin of the Yarlung Tsangpo
to that of the Sutlej, as you cross from Shigatse to Ngari prefectures. A descent leads to the
long
Gung Gyu-tso
, which nomads consider poisoned, even though it drains into Lake
Manasarovar. Your first magical views of Mt Kailash come into view approximately 90km
after the Mayum-la, just before the town of Hor Qu (4620m).
Hor Qu
Hor Qu (Huò'ěr) is another expanding village with little to recommend it but the views.
However, the new eco-bus system to Darchen and Lake Manasarovar means that you will
end up stopping here whether you really want to or not. The bus costs ¥150 to Darchen
and the lake and is mandatory for all visitors. Your 4WD vehicle must stay in Hor Qu.
While in Hor Qu look for hulking 7728m
Gurla Mandata
to the southwest. Lake
Manasarovar is also in this direction though it's a long hike away. Some trekkers walking
the Lake Manasarovar kora spend the night here but most groups give it a miss and contin-
ue to Darchen or Chiu Monastery at Lake Manasarovar, both less than an hour away.
From Hor Qu it's 22km to the crossroads settlement and checkpoint of Barkha (Bāgā),
from where it's 15km south to Chiu Monastery, or 22km west to Darchen.
