Things to do in Gar County

A visit to Pangong Lake in Ali in September was an unforgettable encounter on the Xinjiang-Tibet Highway. At an altitude of over 4240 meters, the long, narrow lake stretches across the barren plains. Most remarkably, the eastern side is fresh while the western side is saline. In September, the lakeside grasslands were already turning yellow, lacking the lush green of summer, but exuding a vast and desolate beauty. The lake water's blue hues are ever-changing, crystal clear like a jewel on sunny days, and rippling with waves when the wind blows. You can take a boat trip to view Bird Island from afar; you can't land on the island, but flocks of brown-headed gulls circling the boat are a truly soothing sight. To be honest, the journey is long; driving from Shiquanhe takes quite a while. ⚠️ Make sure you have a border permit, specifying Rutog County, as it will be checked at checkpoints along the way. The winds at high altitudes are fierce, and the temperature difference between day and night is terrifying. It's scorching hot during the day and bitterly cold in the evening; don't be lazy with your thick coat. Avoid running and jumping; slow down, as it's easy to experience chest tightness and shortness of breath. The facilities are rather basic, there aren't many options by the lake, and supplies are scarce. Drones are prohibited, and regulations must be followed in the border area; do not take photos of military installations without permission. This is not a relaxing tourist spot; it comes after a long journey. But when the vast lake, distant mountains, and birds come into view, all the fatigue of the journey slowly fades away. With reverence, take all your trash with you and protect this pristine plateau. If you're taking the 219 Ali loop, Pangong Lake is worth a detour.

I couldn't get in today, so it's temporarily closed. Here's some information for the tourists who come after me.

Baga Township is where Mount Kailash is located. In the evening, the weather was good and the accommodation was good. I took a short rest and walked along the roadside to see the sunset scenery on the plateau. Standing between heaven and earth, it was empty, lonely and quiet. On the plateau at an altitude of 4,500 meters, I looked around and saw the continuous snow-capped mountains and wandering white clouds. The snow-capped peaks appeared and disappeared in the clouds.

Mount Namunani is across Mount Kailash from Lake Manasarovar. Although its altitude is higher than Lake Kailash, it is very low-key and silently guards its sister and the holy lake. Whether you love it or not, care about it or not, it will always stand there. Turn left from the PetroChina gas station in Baga Township on National Highway 219 to Purang County. It is on the left side of the driving direction (on the right side on the return trip), almost on the side of the road. You can see the golden mountain in the morning and evening. If you take National Highway 219 to the Prayer Flag Square to see Mount Kailash, we can also see Mount Namunani across Lake Manasarovar. Mount Namunani under the blue sky is more magnificent, holy and magnificent.

Toling Monastery is located on the banks of the Xiangquan River northwest of Zhada County, Ali Prefecture, Tibet Autonomous Region. It was built in 996. It was the first monastery in Ali Prefecture built by Yeshe Wo, the grandson of Jigde Nyima Gun, a descendant of Tubo, for the translator Rinchen Sangbu to translate Buddhist scriptures.

Pangong Lake (Ladakhi: Pangong Tso), also known as Como Nganglha Rinpo (Tibetan: མཚོ་མོ་ངང་ལྷ་རིང་པོ།; Wylie: mtsho mo ngang lha ring po; THL: Tsomo Nganglha Ringpo), means "long-necked swan" in Tibetan. It is located about 12 kilometers northwest of Ritu County, Ali Prefecture, Tibet Autonomous Region. It runs from east to west. The total lake area is 604 square kilometers, of which 413 square kilometers are in China, accounting for about 68.5%; the Indian-controlled Kashmir area is 191 square kilometers, accounting for about 31.5%.

Shenshan Tourist Area is located at the junction of Bayanwulan Sumu, Badarhu Town and Albengele Town, 70 kilometers northwest of Yinder Town, 190 kilometers from Qiqihar City and 110 kilometers from Ulanhot City. Shenshan Tourist Area is a key tourist area in Xing'an League.

Stepping into the ruins of the Guge Kingdom is like plunging headfirst into a whirlpool of history. Standing before the ruins, nestled in a swirling earth forest, one gazes upon densely packed caves and dilapidated yet majestic palaces and temples. Climbing the steep steps, the highland wind whips past, each step bearing the weight of time. Inside, the exquisite murals, though damaged, still offer a glimpse of past splendor. The most breathtaking moment is the view from the summit, where the crumbling walls tell the story of the dynasty's rise and fall, bringing its former prosperity to life before one's very eyes. In just half a day, it feels like traveling back a thousand years.