Qamdo Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Apr)
Laigu Glaciers Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Apr)
Tibet | Sharing of full trekking photos in the Laigu Glacier Scenic Area 2 - Inside the scenic area
🚗 Laigu Glacier is a group of glaciers located in Ranwu Town, Basu County, Changdu, Tibet, adjacent to Ranwu Lake, which is the source of Parlung Zangbo. The melted snow flows into Ranwu Lake, and there are dense primitive forests and many primitive Tibetan villages by the lake, including Meixi, Yalong, Ruoqiao, Dongga, Xiongjia and Niuma glaciers. Among these glaciers, Yalong Glacier is the most spectacular. The "Yalong Glacier" is 12 kilometers long, extending from the main peak of Gangri Gabu Mountain at an altitude of 6606 meters to Gangri Gabu Lake at an altitude of 4,000 meters. In terms of climate, it is located in the main channel for the Indian Ocean monsoon to transport cold air to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, with sufficient precipitation, which is conducive to the development of glaciers and is a maritime glacier.
🚗 I came with a group this time, so I only walked the regular tourist route. Laigu Glacier is a group of glaciers, and I should have gone to one of them. Overall, I didn't feel it was difficult, and it's not like what the internet says about needing to ride a horse. I walked from the shuttle bus terminal to the innermost ice wall and back in an hour and a half with photos. The scenery is very good when the weather is good.
🚗 Some precautions
1. Be sure to pay attention to altitude sickness, you know your own body, there is no need to ride a horse but don't force it if your body can't handle it.
2. Be sure to pay attention to safety when going down, it is best to rent ice claws at the mouth of the glacier, after all, you are responsible for your own safety. 25y.
3. Currently, the big ice wall is not open. I went in today and walked straight in along the right side, no one stopped me so I thought it was open. There is some lake water near the ice wall that is not frozen. When I was about 20m away from the wall, someone shouted at me that it was dangerous and I couldn't go, so I hurried back.
4. If you live in Songzan or go to another glacier inside, you can drive in by yourself, you can ask in advance.
5. I don't know if all the glaciers in China are like this, there is no leader to play with. I have been to Alaska and Iceland and there are guides to walk the designated route all the way. Don't go to places without footprints on the glacier, pay attention to safety.
No Tibet, No Blue Ice | A trip to Tibet without the millennia-old blue ice is not perfect
| A trip to Tibet without the millennia-old blue ice is not perfect. This is not Iceland🇮🇸, nor the Arctic or Antarctic
This is the Laigu Glacier in Tibet, China
One of the three major oceanic glaciers in the world
The Laigu Glacier in winter is truly stunning
I highly recommend those who come to Tibet in winter to visit the Laigu Glacier
To experience this incredibly beautiful and healing blue
❗️❗️❗️From the end of December to the middle of February each year is the freezing period of the Laigu Glacier, which is also the best viewing period for the Laigu Glacier. People can walk directly from the lake to the glacier and touch the blue ice.
Recommended itinerary:
Day1: Lhasa-Basongtso-Linzhi-Lulang
Day2: Lulang-Tongmai-Bomi-Ranwu
Day3: Ranwu-Laigu Glacier-Bomi
Day4: Bomi-Guxiang Lake-Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon-Suosong Village
Day5: Suosong Village-Kadinggou-Lhasa
🏞️Laigu Glacier
Ticket: 150r
Sightseeing car: 60r (round trip)
📎It takes about 20 minutes to walk from the end of the sightseeing car to the foot of the glacier, or you can choose to ride a horse, which costs about 150r for a round trip
⚠️⚠️⚠️Tips:
1️⃣The Laigu Glacier changes every year, if you want to see the blue ice, you really need to hurry up
2️⃣If you want to see the blue ice🧊, the light is very important, generally around 11 am-2 pm, the light is the best
3️⃣The ice surface is very slippery, remember to bring ice claws, there are also rentals at Ranwu Lake, a pair of ice claws is 25r
4️⃣The wind on the glacier is very strong, hats, sunglasses, gloves, sunscreen must be prepared
5️⃣Some ice surfaces are very thin, do not stand on them, pay attention to safety
6️⃣You can't go to the last blue ice wall, there are people guarding it
Blue Secret
Laigu Glacier is a general term for a group of glaciers, located in Ranwu Town, Basu County, Changdu, Tibet, adjacent to Ranwu Lake. Among the Laigu Glacier group, the Yalong Glacier is the most spectacular, extending from the main peak of Gangrigabu Mountain at an altitude of 6606 meters to Gangrigabu Lake at an altitude of 4,000 meters. Laigu Glacier is one of the three major glaciers in the world and the source of the Parlung Tsangpo.
🌟Highlights:
The blue ice cave is extremely shocking
👍Most recommended:
The blue ice cave has to go to the foot of the snow mountain at the end, it tests perseverance and persistence
🚉Travel strategy:
Navigate to the entrance of Laigu Glacier Scenic Area, the sightseeing car inside takes another 40 minutes, and then you need to walk or ride a horse to reach the first glacier, which takes about 40 minutes on foot. If you want to enter the innermost glacier to see the blue hole, you need to rent a car from the local villagers to go in. The road is very dangerous and it takes about 40 minutes to drive.
💰Average consumption:
The entrance ticket plus sightseeing car is 210 yuan, and there are discounts on general platforms.
The first glacier rides a horse for 100 per person.
The glacier inside rents a car for 300 per person. Although it is expensive, it is worth it
⏳Play time:
I stayed for a whole day
Have you ever considered going to Tibet in winter? Celebrating the Spring Festival in Tibet?
Have you considered spending the New Year in Tibet? This year's Spring Festival and the Tibetan New Year fall on the same day! It should be very lively and there are many dreamy sceneries to see! Nyingchi, Shannan, Lhasa, Shigatse region, the daytime temperature is in the teens, and it's a few degrees below zero in the morning and evening, it's really suitable, and there are not many tourists! Here are a few very good itineraries, each of which can be adjusted in various ways!
"Not only celebrating the Spring Festival in Tibet, but also a series of winter tours in Tibet"
Itinerary 1⃣️:
day1: Gather in Lhasa
day2: Lhasa-Yamdrok Lake-Pumoyong Lake-Lhozhag County
day3: Lhozhag County-Kurakangri Mountain-Pumoyong Lake-Kangma County
day4: Lhozhag County-Chongba Lake-Duoqing Lake-Chuden Nyima Glacier-Dingjie County
day5: Dingjie County-100,000 Sand Dunes-Mount Everest-Mysterious Observation Point-Dingri County/Lhaze County
day6: Dingri County/Lhaze County-Tashilhunpo Monastery-Shigatse
day7: Shigatse-Lhasa
Itinerary 2⃣️:
day1: Gather in Lhasa
day2: Lhasa-Basum Lake-Xin Lake
day3: Xin Lake-Buddha's Palm Sand Dune-Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon-Sosong Village
day4: Sosong Village-Lulang Forest-Then Lake
day5: Then Lake-Laigu Glacier-Bomi
day6: Bomi-Nyingchi-Lhasa
Itinerary 3⃣️
day1: Gather in Lhasa
day2: Lhasa-Namjagbarwa-Lulang Forest
day3: Lulang-Tongmai-Bage-Niyu
day4: Niyu-Jinling Glacier-Bianba
day5: Bianba-Three Color Lake-Gabu Ice Cave-Xianggelila Glacier-Puyu Village
day6: Puyu Village-Sapu Snow Mountain-Baiga Township
day7: Baiga Township-Biru County-Nagqu City
day8: Nagqu City-Namtso Lake-Lhasa
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Ranwu Lake Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Apr)
318 Self-Driving Series Must-Visit • Ranwu Lake in Tibet
🌟🌟🌟 Speaking of Ranwu Lake, a mandatory checkpoint for self-driving on the Sichuan-Tibet Highway, Ranwu Lake is the main source of the Parlung Tsangpo River, a tributary of the Yarlung Tsangpo River. The lake surface is at an altitude of over 3807 meters, about 26 kilometers long, and averages 1 to 5 kilometers wide. The calm surface of the lake is like a mirror, with morning mist shrouding it, resembling a dream from a fairy tale.
🌟🌟🌟 The mountain top next to Ranwu Lake is covered with snow all year round, with overlapping undulating snow mountains, known as the 'Jade Pool of the Western Heaven'. The Ranwu Lake area is a huge glacial valley formed by glacial action over different periods. More than 200 years ago, a major collapse occurred in the downstream area of what is now Ranwu Lake, and a massive landslide dam blocked the Parlung Tsangpo, forming a huge plateau barrier lake, which is today's Ranwu Lake.
🌟🌟🌟 Accommodation recommendation, Blue Lake Post Zen Hotel (Ranwu Lake branch), a newly opened hotel. The owner is Han Chinese who grew up in Tibet from a young age and understands both cultures very well. He talked with us for a long time about the devotion and beliefs of the Tibetans, their faith in Buddhism, and the differences in life between Han and Tibetan people. The hotel is a short walk from Ranwu Lake, and a walk away from Ranwu Town, where there are supermarkets, small shops, and a food street. You can enjoy a highland cold-water fish hotpot in town, which is tender and very fresh.
Ranwu Lake
Ranwu Lake, known as 'a tear of heaven fallen to earth', is listed in China National Geography.
Ranwu Lake is divided into Upper, Middle, and Lower Ranwu. The Upper and Middle are located on the road from Ranwu Town to Laigu Glacier, while the Lower Ranwu is beside National Highway 318;
The Upper Ranwu is the smallest lake, and it's very close if you follow the direction of Laigu Glacier. You can't reach the lake directly, but can only view it from a distance.
The Middle Ranwu has three platforms along the way where you can stop your car but not go down to take photos, yet you can overlook the lake. There are also three slopes that you can walk down to closely observe the lake, and there is a viewing platform with a wooden walkway, which is the highest photo spot.
The best viewing point for Lower Ranwu is the self-driving campsite, and there is also a small path next to it that leads to the riverside, where there are significantly fewer people.
Tibet Five-Day Loop | This one article is enough for the itinerary
I went to Tibet during the Spring Festival, and many people asked me about this trip's itinerary when I posted on my Moments 🙈 so I organized these notes. Friends who need it can like and save it oh 👍
🌟【Winter Tour of Tibet - Lagu Glacier 5-Day Tour Itinerary】
Day1️⃣: Lhasa-Basumtso-Linzhi (Attraction: Basumtso)
Day2️⃣: Linzhi-Sejila Mountain Viewing Platform-Ranwu Lake-Ranwu Town (Attractions: Sejila Mountain+Ranwu Lake)
Day3️⃣: Ranwu Town-Lagu Glacier-Bomi (Attraction: Lagu Glacier)
Day4️⃣: Bomi-Niyang River Scenic Area-Namcha Barwa Peak Sunlight Golden Mountain-Sosong Village (Attraction: Namcha Barwa Peak)
Day5️⃣: Sosong Village-Buddha Palm Sand Dunes-Lhasa (Attractions: Buddha Palm Sand Dunes, the spectacular dunes embraced by glaciers and the Yarlung Tsangpo River)
⚠️【Some travel tips】
1️⃣Lhasa is at an altitude of 3600 meters, Linzhi is slightly lower, and has more vegetation coverage, so you can take a series of actions such as bathing and washing hair in Linzhi～
2️⃣The altitude of this trip is mostly around 3200-4500 meters, and the accommodations are all around 3000+ meters
3️⃣The daily drive is about 5 hours, which is quite long, so it's suggested to prepare some snacks in the car～
4️⃣Lagu Glacier can be visited from December to March, it is recommended to go in the morning❗️ The ice may melt a bit in the afternoon～ The wind at Lagu is quite strong, remember to wear a hat 🧢
5️⃣In winter, it's easiest to see the Namcha Barwa Peak Sunlight Golden Mountain from Sosong Village, because there is less rain and lower humidity～
In-depth tour of Lulang Glacier in Nyingchi, Tibet: 5 days and 4 nights, enjoy the extraordinary scenery of the snow land!
In-depth tour of Lulang Glacier in Nyingchi, Tibet for 5 days and 4 nights🗝️
Tibet, a place that people yearn for🏞️, and Nyingchi-Lulang Glacier is the dazzling pearl✨ among them. Imagine standing on the top of the glacier, feeling the pure breath from the snow mountain, as if the whole world is still.
💼5 days and 4 nights, let us delve into this mysterious land and appreciate the beautiful scenery of Nyingchi-Lulang Glacier.
📌Day 1: Lhasa-Sejila Mountain-Lulang🌲
Set off early in the morning, cross Sejila Mountain, and feel the fresh air of the plateau. After arriving in Lulang, enjoy the tranquility and beauty of this primitive forest.
📌Day 2: Lulang-Bomi-Ranwu Lake🌊
Continue to move forward, Bomi and Ranwu Lake are waiting for you. The lake here is clear and bottomless, forming a beautiful picture with the surrounding snow mountains.
📌Day 3: Ranwu-Lulang Glacier/Renlongba Glacier-Bomi❄️
The highlight is here! Set off early in the morning to explore Lulang Glacier or Renlongba Glacier. The glaciers here are crystal clear, as if they are scenes in the Ice and Snow Wonderland.
📌Day 4: Bomi-Yarlung Zangbo River Grand Canyon-Sosong Village🏞️
Walk along the Yarlung Zangbo River Grand Canyon and feel the grandeur and magnificence of nature. After arriving in Sosong Village, stay in a characteristic homestay and taste authentic Tibetan food.
📌Day 5: Sosong Village-Basongtso-Lhasa🌞
On the last day, we will go to Basongtso, where the water surface is like a mirror, reflecting the surrounding snow mountains and blue sky. End the wonderful journey and return to Lhasa.
💡Highlights of the trip💡:
✅Deeply visit Nyingchi city area and feel the unique charm of Tibetan culture.
✅Hike to explore the Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon and get close to nature.
✅Climb to the top of Namjagbarwa Peak and overlook the beautiful scenery of the entire Nyingchi area.
✅Specially arranged to stay in local characteristic homestays and taste authentic Tibetan food.
✅Professional guides accompany you throughout the journey to interpret the thousand-year history and culture of this land.
✅Aerial photography + SLR camera follow-up shooting, record this rare beautiful moment.
✅Four-wheel drive off-road vehicle ensures a safer journey.
💡Preparation before departure💡:
⚠️It is recommended to bring warm clothes, sunscreen, sun hats, etc.
⚠️Bring a camera📷 to record this rare beautiful moment.
⚠️Prepare common medicines in case of high anti or other emergencies.
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Sapushen Mountain Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Apr)
A sacred mountain in Tibet offers stunning views of snow-capped mountains and glaciers in winter
Location: Mount Sapu
💰Average cost:
The ticket price is 150 yuan per person, half price for students (available on Xue Xin Wang), and you need to bring your ID.
👍Most recommended:
It is recommended to stay in Yangxiu Township. There is a hotel with a good environment in the township government, about forty minutes away from Mount Sapu.
If you choose to stay in the scenic area, after buying the ticket and entering, go straight to the bus stop. The bus runs every half an hour. It takes about ten minutes to get to the outer lake by bus. There are two guesthouses at the drop-off point, which are dormitory-style, and the beds are relatively small, 100 yuan per person.
If you choose to camp, the outer lake is a good choice. The internet-famous bridge is also near the drop-off point of the outer lake. Secondly, don't bring food with a strong smell, it will attract bears.
🌟Highlights:
The inner lake is more spectacular, the scenery is much better than the outer lake, there are also two guesthouses, you can see more snow-capped mountains, black soil and blue lake water, giving you the illusion of being in the North and South Poles.
🗓Itinerary:
The internet-famous bridge is about a hundred meters to the left of the drop-off point, but the slope is very steep, it is recommended to walk a few more steps forward to bypass it. Secondly, the shooting angle of the internet-famous bridge is limited, it is more recommended to find an angle on the iron bridge above the internet-famous bridge.
From this direction, continue to walk up the mountain to the inner lake, about five kilometers of mountain road, the altitude is nearly five thousand meters, people with good physical strength can try hiking.
If you don't want to hike, there will also be local villagers at the drop-off point of the outer lake who will drive you into the inner lake for a fee of 100 yuan per person, free for the elderly, and you can bargain. It's about a twelve-minute journey, round trip.
After they take you to the inner lake, they will wait for you at the original place (if you don't go far). Walk straight into the inner lake, cross the bridge, and there is a ridge ahead. It's a great place for photos, but there are few glaciers.
📝Tips:
If you want to see the glaciers alone, it is not recommended to go in. Because there are many dogs and bears inside, be careful not to get close.
My goodness, where is this place? I want to go
The morning trip to Sapu
The car drove just to the point where the snow-capped mountains are visible
It was still dark
Looking up, the towering snow mountains were within reach
I decided to get off the car and slide down the hillside to the lakeside
It might have been because it was dark
Or perhaps the scenery was so stunning
That slope was particularly steep
Looking back at it on the return trip, I could hardly believe how I had made it down
Walking along the lakeside, I saw the sunlit golden mountains, I saw the reflections on the lake surface
I suppose I will never forget this in my lifetime
·
Mount Sapu
Sapushan Mountain Nanny-level Guide
Ticket: 150/person, valid for three days. Includes round-trip sightseeing car fare from the scenic area parking lot to the Outer Lake (about 10 minutes). The road from Outer Lake to Inner Lake is under construction and is currently not allowed for self-driving.
Tour route:
1. The average altitude of Sapushan Mountain is about 4400 meters. If you are not in good physical condition, you can stroll around the Outer Lake and take photos at the popular wooden bridge.
2. You can walk to the Inner Lake along the left side of the Outer Lake, watch the sacred mountain up close, and feel completely different from the Outer Lake. The one-way journey is about 5 kilometers, takes about 1.5 hours, is beginner-friendly, and there are many small mice and ground squirrels to feed along the way. Walking inside to avoid the crowd for photos is also very beautiful.
3. After reaching the Inner Lake, there are other hiking routes. You can go around the lake (if the lake is frozen in winter, you are lucky to enter the blue ice glacier cave), go to the temple Sapulakang under the snow mountain (I love it), and the small ice lake under the feet of Princess Sapu. But these routes are at a higher altitude, with many slopes, so you need to measure your strength.
Accommodation: Stay in a homestay in Yangxiu Township, the closest to Sapushan Mountain, the night before. You can see bears, very close only a dozen meters away, do not go out at night; you can also choose to stay in the county town, about 3 hours drive to Sapushan Mountain, you need to arrange your time. There are 3 places to stay in the Inner Lake of Sapushan Mountain, all of which are large beds in the style of herders' homes at 100/person, the environment is simple, and there is no signal in the house, and washing is a bit troublesome.
1. Wear a thick coat when entering the mountain, as the temperature difference between day and night is large. If you are hiking, it is best to wear waterproof shoes, as there are some places with standing water and small streams on the road.
2. If you want to stay in the Inner Lake, bring dry food!! The accommodation conditions in the Inner Lake are limited, the herders' Chinese is not very good, communication is not very smooth, and the food is basically instant noodles. I stayed in Sapushan Mountain for three days and stayed in the Inner Lake for two days. I saw the sacred mountain in cloudy, rainy, snowy and sunny days, which is quite satisfactory.
I went to the temple at the foot of the snow mountain -- Sapulakang in the afternoon of the first day. There are basically no tourists going up to this small temple. We learned about this road from two Tibetans who were delivering supplies up the mountain (if you want to offer some incense money, bring some change, there is no QR code payment here).
It took forty to fifty minutes to climb the mountain. The temple keeper on the mountain was really nice. Seeing that we were tired, he poured us butter tea, ate cakes and milk residue, and taught us how to say these in Tibetan. After eating, we sunbathed on the back mountain with the temple keeper. The sun was warm on our bodies, and our whole soul could calm down.
Only after seeing the beauty of Tibet do you feel that the world is worth it (with guide)
Tibet Travel Guide|Explore the Mysterious Holy Land
Tibet, a place that countless people dream about. Here you can find magnificent natural scenery, a long history and culture, and simple Tibetan people. Today, let's take a look at some of the attractions in Tibet, come and take a look!
🗿Sapu Sacred Mountain—Located in Puzong Gully, Yangxiu Township, Biru County, Nagqu, its main peak is revered as the king of the local sacred mountains, and the surrounding mountains make this place full of mystery.
🌊Sacred Elephant Heaven Gate—Located on the north shore of Namtso, it is a sacred place hidden in the legend. When you stand on the high cliff and look at the Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains in the distance, the breathtaking magnificent scenery is fascinating.
🏞️Yarlung Zangbo River—The largest canyon in the world, its rushing flow witnesses the power of nature and is also one of the sources of Tibetan culture.
🏙Lhasa River—Located in Lhasa City, Tibet Autonomous Region, the river here is clear and the scenery along the coast is beautiful.
🛶Cotong Cui Lake—Located in Mangkang County, Chamdo, the lake here is like a green gem embedded in the snow-capped mountains.
🕍Potala Palace—Located on the Red Hill in the center of Lhasa City, it is one of the most representative buildings in Tibet and a World Cultural Heritage.
🙏Tagong—Located in Tagong Town, Kangding City, here are the famous Tagong Grassland and Tagong Temple, the Buddha statues and murals in the temple are of great artistic value.
🗣Travel suggestions:
Day1: Arrive in Lhasa, adapt to the plateau environment, and visit the Potala Palace.
Day2: Go to Namtso, visit the Sacred Elephant Heaven Gate, and enjoy the beautiful lakes and magnificent mountains.
Day3: Go to Yangxiu Township, visit Sapu Sacred Mountain, and experience the local religious culture.
Day4: Drive along the Yarlung Zangbo River and enjoy the spectacular canyon scenery.
Day5: Arrive in Mangkang County, visit Cotong Cui Lake, and feel the tranquility of the snow-capped mountains and the lake.
Day6: Go to Kangding City, visit Tagong Grassland and Tagong Temple, and feel the charm of Tibetan culture.
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Songtsam Laigu Lodge (Ranwu) Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Apr)
Ba Xiu Songzan Laigu Mountain Residence, a place to cleanse the soul
The location is excellent, situated in Laigu Village at an altitude of 4100 meters, the hotel faces the valley between Laigu Glacier and Dongga Glacier. Standing in front of the large glass windows at the reception, to the left is the Laigu Glacier, to the right is the Dongga Glacier, opposite are the snow-capped mountains, and below are the pastures.
The accumulation of ice from the Dongga Glacier and the blue ice lake formed by the Laigu Glacier are fully visible. Due to the high altitude, the entire Laigu Village is surrounded by snow-capped mountains in May. The village houses and pastures are interspersed with each other, and horses, yaks, and various birds can be seen everywhere. At night, the Milky Way is right above your head, and the oxygen concentration in the rooms is constant. Inside the hotel, you don't feel the altitude of 4100 meters. Worth it!!!
Songzan Laigu Mountain Residence
Songzan Laigu Mountain Residence in Basu, the feeling is real, the room is small, the scenery is beautiful. I think it's the most remote and toughest environment in the Songzan series, and it's hard to avoid the big traffic jam on 318 no matter whether you come from Nyingchi or Qamdo. At an altitude of over 4,000 meters, friends with altitude sickness are advised to think twice.
Next to it are Ranwu Lake and Laigu Glacier, it is recommended to stay for a few more days, so as to avoid the fatigue of travel. You can stay at the Songzan in Bomi on the first day from Nyingchi, Ranwu Lake on the second day, and Laigu on the third day.
The scenery is beyond words, staying in the largest suite, you can see two sides of the glacier, you can see the distant blue ice, there is a kind of feeling similar to Iceland.
Sonzan Lhaigou Mountain Residence: A place far from all the hustle and bustle!
Sonzan Lhaigou Mountain Residence is located at an altitude of 4200 meters, in Lagu Village, Ranwu Town, Basu County, Changdu, Tibet, upstream of Ranwu Lake, encompassing glaciers, valleys, wetlands, and lakes within the hotel's view. On a moonlit night, when the ancient full moon shines on the millennia-old glaciers, facing this almost eternal dialogue of time and space, how can we, as insignificant as dust, not shed tears.
Lagu Mountain Residence, it feels like a place where immortals rest. The rooms are hard to book, but worth experiencing.
Looking up at the sacred mountain with devotion, it is a place to cleanse the soul.
The hotel is also very well decorated, far from the hustle and bustle of the city, deep in the mountains, looking for another self.
Here, being in a daze is the only happiness. Don't think too much, just look into the distance.
The glacier close at hand, and the wetland river under the snow mountain glacier, form a beautiful scenery that is difficult to depict in any painting.
The hotel has 24-hour oxygen supply, so you don't have to worry about altitude sickness even at a height of four thousand meters.
Drinking tea, reading books, watching mountains, admiring snow... here must be a good place to cleanse the soul and yearn for freedom!
Lai Gu GlacierThe most scenic village
Setting off from the Songzan Mangkang Rumei Mountain House in the early morning, it is about 430 kilometers to the Songzan Laigu Mountain House where we will stay today. The scenery along the way is rich and colorful, the road conditions are sometimes good and sometimes bad, and we encountered two road constructions that allowed one-way traffic, which delayed us for several hours. We drove more than 400 kilometers for more than 9 hours and arrived at Laigu Mountain House at five o'clock in the afternoon.
Laigu Mountain House is built in the quiet Laigu Village at an altitude of 4200 meters, surrounded by glaciers, snow-capped mountains, and lakes. Pushing the window, you can see the beautiful Laigu Glacier and the calm Ranwu Lake. At night, the stars on the plateau are all in sight.
Anyone who stays in the Songzan Mountain House series of hotels will be given a pair of handmade thousand-layer sole cloth shoes and free afternoon tea. The hotel organizes activities for individual guests outside the custom group, which requires an additional fee to participate. We participated in the horse riding to Duosongcuo activity: riding a horse over the hillside opposite the hotel and entering the mysterious Duosongcuo. I asked Dawazhuoma, who was leading the horse, how many people are there in Laigu Village now, she said: There are only 50 households and more than 500 people in the village. After all, it is not very convenient for transportation in high-altitude areas, and it is not easy to build a mountain house here.
In the afternoon, I went to find blue ice and ice lakes. The temperature is relatively high in early November, probably more than 20 degrees outdoors. The lake has not completely frozen. If you want to walk to the largest ice tongue and ice wall, it is still out of reach. Just appreciate it by the ice lake, it is also an indescribable extreme beauty.
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Zizhu Temple Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Apr)
April Exploration of Tibet's Hidden Gem: The Pilgrimage to Zizhu Monastery
While playing in Tibet, I passed by Dingqing and on a whim, decided to visit! The road is really tough! Zizhu Monastery is located on Zizhu Mountain in Dingqing County, Chamdo, Tibet, at an altitude of about 4800 meters.
Amidst the rugged and steep rock peaks, there are large and small Buddhist temples and hermitages for monks in meditation.
.📍Detailed address: On Zizhu Mountain, Shagong Township, Dingqing County, Chamdo City, Tibet Autonomous Region
.🚗Transportation strategy: Navigate to "Zizhu Monastery" by car, there is a parking lot nearby 🅿
🔥Key recommendations:
Ⅰ Great Treasure Hall: A place for believers to study and practice, surrounded by exquisite Thangkas on the walls, with the compassionate Great Mother enshrined in the center (but no photography is allowed inside);
Ⅱ Heaven's Gate Cave: An absolutely stunning stop, climbing up you can even see the highest altitude toilet, thrilling!
💡【Tips】
1. Although April is spring, the temperature difference between day and night in the plateau area is large, remember to bring warm clothing and sun protection;
2. Zizhu Monastery is located in a high-altitude area, try to prepare for altitude sickness in advance, maintain good physical strength, and walk steadily step by step;
3. ❗Note: Zizhu Monastery belongs to the Bon religion, and you need to circumambulate the mountain counterclockwise.
4. Ticket information: Zero cost, free to visit!
🌈Zizhu Monastery is like a dazzling pearl inlaid on the roof of the world. Under the bright April sunshine, the blue sky, white clouds, and snow-capped mountains complement each other, making the temple even more solemn and sacred. I feel like this might be my only visit in this lifetime.
City in the Sky
Zizhu Mountain (elevation 4800m)
Located in Shagong Township, Dingqing County, Changdu City, Tibet
It is a sacred mountain blessed by the traces of Bodhisattvas
It is also the center of the ancient Xiangxiong civilization's outward expansion
Zizhu Temple (4500m)
Is one of the highest temples in Tibet
It is also one of the oldest and most important temples of the Yungdrung Bön religion
Its cultural relics, ancient books, and historical sites are of great research value
It is an extremely precious specimen site of the Xiangxiong civilization
From the foot of the mountain (3600m) to the summit (4500m)
There is an 11-kilometer unpaved gravel serpentine road
It becomes exceptionally difficult to traverse in rain or snow
Therefore, in Tibet, known for its treacherous roads
The path to Zizhu Temple is 'dangerous within dangerous'
Because it is so remote and steep
Even locals in Tibet rarely visit
'Zizhu Temple is not a place for ordinary people,
Only those who are truly destined can go.'
'The reason for the temple's harsh conditions,
Is to maintain the original devout thoughts,
Not wanting to lose the essence due to economic prosperity.'
- 'Dingzhen Ose' Rinpoche
Spread your arms above the wilderness
Facing the light, the wind, the juniper smoke
Listen to the Sanskrit chants echoing in the valley
Watch the marks of meditation on the boulders and prayer flags singing with the wind
Just like this, meet with oneself
With the Temple in the Sky...
Stars, Milky Way, sunrise, devotees
One by one captured in the lens
Eating a flatbread
Drinking a bowl of butter tea
Packing up
Bid farewell to Tashi and descend the mountain
Join National Highway 318 from 317, 214, 349
Road construction on one side along the 72 hairpin turns
Engineering vehicles, military vehicles, transport trucks, private cars
Mixed together
A small traffic jam
379km, 9H
Tips:
Zizhu Temple is an important Bön temple
The direction of circumambulation (counterclockwise) is opposite to Buddhism
The mantra chanted is the Eight Syllables (not the Six Syllables)
2024 Tibet North Ring Line: Visit Zizhu Temple again
Leaving Dingqing County and taking G317, you can reach the parking lot of Zizhu Temple in 1 hour. The car missed the intersection and went to G317 behind Zizhu Mountain, fortunately to see the back of Zizhu Temple!
Drive along the stone road around the mountain to the parking lot in front of the temple. Walk to the Sky Bridge, either take the road in front of the temple, or follow the left rotation of the Bon followers, walk from the path behind the temple, turn right in front of the temple, and walk towards the Sky Bridge.
Then go to the opposite viewing platform to enjoy Zizhu Temple.
Go down the mountain, return to G317, turn to S302 towards Dangdui Township, walk from the red land by the Nu River to the snowy white, cross three big mountains, and arrive at Bianba County in 5.5 hours, which is already dusk.
Most of the restaurants in the county have gone home for the New Year. The chicken rice noodle shop next to the hotel is very good. The signature chicken rice noodles are generous, crispy meat, chicken shreds, meatballs, various noodles, and braised pork are all delicious!
PS: The mountain view along the way to Zizhu Temple is mainly red land, which is very good.
The real-life Castle in the Sky, the stunningly beautiful Zizhu Temple
Zizhu Temple is located on Zizhu Mountain in Shagong Township, Dingqing County, Changdu Region, Tibet, at an altitude of about 4800 meters. It is one of the highest temples in Tibet and one of the oldest and most important temples of the Yongzhong Bon religion. According to legend, Zizhu Temple was built three thousand years ago, initiated by the second Tibetan king Muchi Zanpu, created and inherited by the first master of the great achiever Mubang Sadong, and is now the forty-third generation. Zizhu Temple is now a cultural relic protection unit at the autonomous region level in Tibet.
Zizhu means six peaks, where the peaks are steep and rugged, with strange rocks and stacked Zen temples. It symbolizes the Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva using compassion and wisdom to transform all beings in the six realms, helping them to walk the path of liberation from troubles, representing the six practices of giving, keeping precepts, patience, diligence, meditation, and wisdom, as well as the ways to counteract the greed, ignorance, anger, arrogance, jealousy, and wrong views of sentient beings.
On the day of the visit, we set off from Changdu via Lei Wuzi to Dingqing. About thirty kilometers away from Dingqing County, we left National Highway 317 and turned into the branch line to Sangdu. Immediately, you will see the under-construction Zizhu Temple Visitor Service Center, parking lot, and shuttle bus transfer point, which may soon start charging... After entering the mountain, the winding mountain road is about thirteen kilometers long, with newly installed guardrails but no pavement, which is a big challenge for family cars. Of course, SUVs and above have no problem. When you are about to enter the mountain gate, the sun comes out and you rush to the viewing platform to shoot the panorama, and then come down to enter the temple. After all, in the mountains, the microclimate is changeable, sometimes sunny, sometimes cloudy, sometimes foggy, sometimes snowing. The temple as a whole faces west, which is very suitable for shooting in the afternoon. In addition, the wind is strong in the mountains, so be very careful when flying drones!
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