Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Pangong-tso (Palgon-tso; 4270m) and Rutok Xian (kilometre marker 930). From here it is
130km south to Ali.
MT KAILASH & FAR WEST TIBET
Mt Kailash
Going to Ngari and not completing a kora around Mt Kailash (Kang Rinpoche, or Precious
Jewel of Snow, in Tibetan) would be like visiting a great capital and stopping short outside
its most famous treasure. Mt Kailash dominates the region with the sheer awesomeness of
its four-sided summit, just as it dominates the mythology of a billion people.
The mountain has been a lodestone to pilgrims and adventurous travellers for centuries
but until recently very few had set their eyes on it. With improved road conditions to Ngari
this has changed. Large numbers of Indian pilgrims visit the mountain between June and
August, as do Chinese tourists and hikers who were as rare as hen's teeth just six years
ago.
Mt Kailash is accessed via the small grubby town of Darchen, the starting point of the
kora. Any reasonably fit and acclimatised person should be able to complete the three-day
walk, but come prepared with warm and waterproof clothing and equipment. For more in-
formation about the kora, see (
Click here
)
.
Note that the entrance fee to Mt Kailash has increased to ¥150 per person and in addi-
tion to this all visitors must pay another ¥150 to ride an eco-bus from Hor Qu to Darchen.
Your 4WD must park in Hor Qu so there is no option to skip this fee.
