Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar Yatra: Ngari Southern vs Northern Route

Ngari, known as the spiritual heart of Tibet, captivates visitors with its remote, breathtaking natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar, both located here, have long been cherished destinations for pilgrims worldwide. Starting from Lhasa, two main routes lead through Tibet to these legendary sacred mountains and lakes: the Ngari Southern Route and Northern Route. Each route offers unique perspectives on this mystical land. This article will provide detailed itineraries, allowing you to choose the optimal route for your pilgrimage to Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar.

What is the Southern Route for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra starting from Lhasa?

The Southern Ngari Route begins in Lhasa and passes through Yamdrok Lake, Nagarze County, and Gyantse before reaching Shigatse. In Shigatse, you can explore the legendary Everest Base Camp. After leaving Everest Base Camp, you'll travel north, passing the beautiful Pelku Lake and the majestic Mount Shishapangma. Beyond these attractions, you'll pass through remote towns such as Saga, Zhongba, and Payang before reaching Mount Kailash and the sacred Lake Mansarovar. From there, you'll head south to Purang Town, then northwest to Zanda County and finally Shiquanhe Town.

This route traverses the vast wilderness between the Himalayas and the Gangdise Mountains, offering a wealth of cultural and natural attractions, including the Zanda Earth Forest, sacred mountains and lakes, and the Guge Kingdom Ruins.

What is the Northern Route for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra starting from Lhasa?

The northern route begins in Lhasa, passing through Namtso Lake. It follows the route from Damxung to Baingoin, then to Nyima, Gerze, and finally to Shiquanhe. Then, back to Xiongba, passing through Coqen County and Nyima before returning to Lhasa. The northern route offers a completely different landscape from the southern route, with the latter half filled with lakes and a longer distance.

What’s the difference between the Southern Route and the Northern Route

Scenic Differences Between the Southern and Northern Route

A large portion of the Ngari Southern Route runs along National Highway 318 on the Sichuan-Tibet Highway, intersecting the Ngari Northern Route at Shiquan River to join the Xinjiang-Tibet Highway. Along the way, you'll discover numerous cultural attractions focused on Tibetan Buddhism and culture of the Guge Kingdom, such as Tashilhunpo Monastery, Rongbuk Monastery, and Guge Kingdom Ruins. You'll also encounter majestic snow-capped mountains and beautiful, emerald lakes, such as Mount Everest, Mount Kailash, and Lake Mansarovar. The Ngari Southern Route passes primarily through barley cultivation, with few pastoral areas, resulting in fewer opportunities to see wildlife.

The Ngari Northern Route, on the other hand, primarily follows National Highway 317 and is centered around the ancient Bon religion and ancient Zhangzhung culture. The natural scenery along the route is primarily lakes, including Selin Tso, Dangra Yumtso, Dong Tso, and Namtso. The endless expanse of lakes and plateau meadows is breathtaking! Moreover, because the northern line covers a wider area and often passes through uninhabited areas, you can see groups of Tibetan antelopes, wild donkeys, foxes and other animals around many lakes. You can even encounter the "spectacle" of these wild animals competing with cars.

Road Conditions Difference Between the South and North Route

Much of the South Route lies on the Sichuan-Tibet Highway, a well-established self-driving route and a national highway. Therefore, the South Ali Line boasts a relatively well-maintained road environment, with virtually all sections paved. Besides SUVs, commercial vehicles, and cars are also permitted.

The North Route is in much worse condition, with only a few sections paved. The rest is primarily gravel, requiring wading through rivers and climbing over mountains, all the while at altitudes above 4,500 meters. The most treacherous section is from Nyima to Wenbu, where curves, only negotiable by one car, have gradients exceeding 30 degrees, many of which are sharp, with five or six such gradients occurring in a row. The road surface is also gravel with large pebbles.

The Most Popular Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Route: Southern Route

The Southern Route has long been the most popular route to Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar. Not only is it shorter and more convenient, it also allows travelers to visit nearly all of Tibet's iconic attractions within a limited timeframe. From the majestic Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple to the azure Yamdrok Lake, the breathtaking Mount Everest Base Camp, and the sacred vistas of Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar, the southern route encompasses nearly all of Tibet's most iconic natural and cultural wonders. For first-time travelers seeking a deeper exploration of Tibet, the southern route is the perfect choice. It not only saves time and energy, but also offers a more comprehensive Tibetan experience.

Beautiful Scenery of Ngari Southern Route

The Most Challenging Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Route: Northern Route

The Northern Route is longer and more challenging, yet it leads you deeper into Tibet's more remote and mysterious spiritual regions. It demands not only strong physical strength and endurance, but also the harsh conditions of the plateau, making it considered the more challenging and adventurous option. While the northern route is less visited, the natural landscapes and cultural relics along the way appear even more tranquil and pristine, offering a unique pilgrimage atmosphere and spiritual enlightenment amidst the magnificent plateau.

More Challenging Route: Ngari Southern Route

Are there more routes to Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar?

Absolutely! Besides the well-known Ngari South and North routes, there's another popular and interesting route: from Kathmandu, Nepal, to Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar. This unique route will first allow you to experience the exotic beauty of Nepal, then traverse the Himalayas and reach the sacred mountains and lakes via the Gyirong border crossing.

While choosing this route might mean missing out on some famous Tibetan attractions, such as the majestic Potala Palace in Lhasa, the sacred Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street, and Yamdrok Lake along the way, this route is shorter and takes you directly to Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar, making it a great option.

Besides departing from Kathmandu, you can also choose to travel from Kashgar in Xinjiang, northwestern China. This overland route to Ngari is the most challenging, as it involves extremely high altitudes.

China's National Highway G219 stretches 1,547 kilometers from Kashgar to Ngari, averaging 4,500 meters above sea level. This road, considered the world's highest, is in excellent condition and offers unparalleled scenery, from the Taklamakan Desert and the Kunlun Mountains to the Guge Kingdom in Zanda County, and even extends your journey to Everest Base Camp.

More tips for traveling in Ngari

The best time to travel to Ngari

The best time to travel Southern route is from June to October, when the weather is relatively warm. The best time to travel to North route is from June to October, but avoid the rainy season from July to August, as the road conditions in the North are poor and the road becomes muddy and difficult to travel when it rains.

What can you eat in Ngari?

Ngari is vast and sparsely populated, making supplies difficult to come by. Prices are higher than in other areas. There are fewer food options along the way, with Sichuan restaurants predominant, and Tibetan restaurants also available in some areas. Drinking sweet tea or yak jerky can help acclimate to the cold and alleviate altitude sickness. If you're not used to the food along the way, prepare some food before departure, such as bread, milk, biscuits, chocolate, canned goods, and instant foods. You can also bring vitamin-rich foods, such as vegetables and fruits. When moving, try to slow down, avoid jumping or running, and drink plenty of water. All of these foods can be purchased in Shiquanhe Town or Lhasa, on the way to Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar.

What should I pack for a trip to Ngari?

Ngari's average altitude is over 4,500 meters. The journey is long and the environment is complex, so packing your luggage requires thorough preparation. First, all travel documents are essential, as you may be subject to random inspections along the way. Also, be sure to bring windproof and warm clothing. Although Ngari enjoys a mild summer, nighttime temperatures can drop below freezing. Furthermore, the Tibetan Plateau experiences strong ultraviolet rays, so sunscreen is essential. In addition, you should also bring some personal medications and altitude sickness medication.

Other attractions beside Kailash and Mansarovar in Ngari

Ngari boasts numerous ancient sites. It is the birthplace of Zhangzhung culture and the indigenous Bon religion, and was the center of power during the Guge Kingdom. Along the way, the ruins of the Guge Kingdom, Kyunglung and Tholing Monasteries, the Dungkar and Piyang Cave Paintings, and the Rutog Rock Paintings perfectly illustrate this once prosperous culture. In addition to these historical sites, Ngari also boasts natural wonders untouched by modern development, such as the Zanda Earth Forest, Pangong Tso Lake, and Zhari Namco Lake. These are all must-see attractions during your trip.

Conclusion

Currently, there are two main overland routes from Lhasa to Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar: the Southern Route via Everest Base Camp, and the Northern Route from Namtso. One route is shorter, the other offers more scenic views. You can choose the best route based on your preference. However, I'm confident that no matter which route you choose, you won't be disappointed. If you would like to learn more about Mount Kailash, please feel free to contact travelkailash. We will provide you with comprehensive and attentive service.