Welcome to Darchen & Mt Kailash

Going to Ngari and not attempting a kora around holy Mt Kailash (Kang Rinpoche; Precious Jewel of Snow in Tibetan) is inconceivable. Kailash dominates the region physically and spiritually, with the sheer awesomeness of its surreal four-sided summit and through the combined faith of over one billion people.

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The mountain has been a lodestone to pilgrims and travellers for centuries but until recently few had set their eyes on it. Improved road conditions are changing this. Large numbers of Indian pilgrims visit the mountain between July and August and hardy Chinese tourists are starting to discover the region.

Mt Kailash is accessed via the grubby town of Darchen (དར་ཆེན།, 塔钦, Tǎqīn), a rapidly expanding settlement of hotel compounds and pilgrim shops. Almost everyone spends a night here before setting off on the kora, and many spend a second night after the trek to grab a hot shower and check emails.

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Darchen & Mt Kailash in detail

Darchen & Mt Kailash photo credits