Nagqu, Tibet is well known for its amazing natural tourist attractions. One destination worth a visit is Rongma Murals and the hot springs. It is situated in the mountains close by Rongma and this place posse a huge number of murals. The most famous one is Murals of Mount Galin. What is surprising is that the picture on the stone keeps changing with every season. It is lively attractive. Even more, a bath in hot spring will not only give relaxation, but also can cure skin diseases. A natural panorama plus a natural steam bath creates a great combination.

Rongma Murals and Hot Spring

A wonderful natural rock art probably the proper way to explain and appreciate the beauty of Rongma Murals. They are indeed exquisite, ancient, detailed pictures etched in stone. Most of the murals, especially the murals on Jialin Mountain, change shapes and colors as the time and season change. It is surprisingly amazing. Magical, I would say.

The hot springs consists of natural warm springs that expand in the area of more than hundred kilometers. The warm ground water in the spring is naturally produced by geothermal heat of Earth’s crust. Circulation of steamy air that covers the hot spring makes up the experience of natural spa. Visiting the springs, one shall not miss the enjoyable steamy bath. It is an ultimate relaxation.

Rongma Murals and Hot Spring

Not only the spring is a perfect place for relaxation, the hot water is said to be the cure for arthritis and some skin diseases. Tibetan people consider it as the healing waters. They believe that the hot spring has natural healing powers. Its warm, bubbled water can clean the disease away from your body. Just take a deep breath and enjoy the natural steamed bath experience. you will be taken away from the hustle bustle of daily life.

Rongma Murals and hot spring are a must see place in Nagqu, Tibet. It is a loss, missing the extravagant collection of stunning ancient murals in Rongma County.

Located in Nagqu, the Changtang grassland is a beautiful desert. This wide highlands expand from Eastern Ladakh to West Tibet, covering 1,600 kilometer area. This charming grassland is surrounded by four mountains and is irrigated by Black and Nujiang rivers.

A significant feature on Changtang Grassland is ‘The Changpa’, a name for the nomads of Changtang. Since the typical land of Changtang  is  not suitable for plantation or farming, these nomads depend their living on livestock. However, land in Changtang is famous for its great pasture land that is covered with a special kind of grass called Naza. It contains high protein. Therefore, many shepherds as sheep and yak consuming this Naza are relatively stronger. During summer when the grass is not green, the Changpa processes milk into butter and cheese. This is done to fulfill their expenses. Also, they barter salt, animals, meat, and wool for the things they need. Striking characteristics of Changtang grassland’s people are their colorful clothing, jewelry, tents, and vibrant apparel of women. Even more, they sing along the way from one camp to another one.

Changtang Grassland

Best time to visit Changtang grassland is in August, during the festival of Nagqu Horse Racing. At this time, local women wear traditional apparel and accessories. Dancing and singing are two main activities in the festival to celebrate the prosperity. There are some art performances such as local epic narration and Chantang costumes’ fashion show. The festival is celebrated in such a way for people to enjoy not only sports but also trade and art.

Two main lakes in Changtang grassland are Tsomoriri and Pangong Tso. The Tsomoriri is included in one of the world’s highest lakes. The visitors are allowed only during summer. The salty Pangong Tso lake completely freezes during the winter. This lake has no fish but a site for migratory birds.

Changtang Grassland

The northern part of Changtang grassland consists of marshes occupied by grey wolves, snow leopard, water birds, and few mammals. Some rare birds as well live in the area along with rare animals like white-lipped deer, wild yaks, and bharals.

Lake Namtso is heavenly, as its name. For its purity and charming beauty, it was once selected as one of the most beautiful lakes in China. It is also, along with two other lakes, considered as a holy lake in China. A travel in China without visiting Lake Namtso is a loss. The lake is well known for its high altitude, beautiful scenery, and wide area.

After Qinghai Lake, Lake Namtso is China’s second largest saltwater lake. In Tibet, Namtso is the biggest one as per the size while the altitude is the highest one in all over the world. The blue water is magical, crystal clear.

Lake namtso

The water levels in Namtso Lake are obtained from rainfall and melted snow from high mountains. Looks like a decoration, five islands are placed in the water area. The largest island is called as Liangduo. Apart from that, five bylands lies along the water. The largest byland is known as Zhaxi. In this byland, there is a great stone peak. Other peaks resemble the shape of the trunks, human beings, and trees. There are other various shapes that can draw imagination away. Not enough with those, many grottos are found in Lake Namtso. The grottos are very quiet and natural. Each grotto has a different shape. Some are narrow, some are long, some other resembles louvers.

Adding the plus, the place is not only a tourist attraction but also a religious pilgrimage. A sacred Buddhist site, Zhaxi Temple is located in Zhaxi by land. Every year, many pilgrims come for prayers by walking clockwise along the lake.

Lake Namtso

Best visiting time for Namtso Lake is during summer. Visitors will not only be amazed by the outstanding lake but also by the panorama of wildlife along the shores. Flying birds are adorning the sky of Lake Namtso, while the fishes are jumping naughty teasing the viewers. Cows and sheep form vast lines by the grassland enjoying the sunshine. Summer is the time when activities around Lake Namtso come alive. Therefore, the people of Tibet consider it a symbol of happiness.

An amazing cultural heritage of Tibet is Damxung Ancient Cave Mural Paintings. Located in the north of Lhasa, it is a great place to live the experience of the ancient world.

The Ancient cave can be reached by motor vehicles from Lhasa. Situated 102 miles away from Damxung County, the trip may take around four hours or more. However, some tourists are more comfortable to have the journey by taking a car because of bumpy roads around the caves. The journey to Damxung Ancient Cave Mural Paintings will pass from the Amazing Grassland Landscape of Nagqu. The beautiful landmark is surrounded by huge mountains creating unforgettable scenery along the way.

Damxung Ancient Cave Mural Paintings

It does not require much effort to find the murals of the ancient cave for it is indeed vast. Mostly, the murals can be found in the cave walls. While some other murals are located on the outer walls and the cliffs. The paintings variety is huge. Over 250 murals are found all around the cave. The murals contain images of ancient life. most common images are various animals of ancient life that close to human life such as wolves, leopard, deer, birds and horses. Besides, other images like the sun, humans, plants, and pagodas are also found throughout the caves. These similar images are combined in murals forming variable themes. Most common subjects are daily life related. It includes hunting, dancing, wars, and caring for the community.

Damxung Ancient Cave Mural Paintings

There are two types of paintings in the Damxung Ancient Cave. Those are full painting and outlining. The full paintings show more paints and details compared to the outlining. While the outlines are better in its uniqueness, the primary colors used in mural paintings are red and black. It reflects the limited paintings tools used during the time.

As a tourist attraction or museum for learning ancient history, Damxung Ancient Cave is a great place to see either way.

Covering an area of 15 kilometers, Yambajan is located in the northwest of Lhasa. Precisely situated at the foot of Mountain Nyaingentha, the charming Yambajan is surrounded by icebergs, snowy mountains and virgin forests. To add the beauty, a beautiful meadow lies in the middle of it. The main attraction of Yambajan is its hot springs.

Tibet is known as the place for great hot springs all around China. One of them is Yambajan. Apart from the common springs, the springs in Yambajan can reach the highest temperature. It results in geysers and boiling springs.

Yambajan

The consideration of making Yambajan to be more than just a place for enjoying hot springs has begun since 1974. The Chinese government has allocated more than two hundred millions to the effort of creating Yambajan as the heat resources of Tibet. After much of hard work, slowly, the effort has shown promise. In 1970, the first generating plant was constructed. It is now providing up to 45% electricity of Lhasa.

The biggest Hydrothermal Power Plant is located in Yambajan. It has been an attractive spot recently for its scientific site and special landscape. Many foreigners especially come to Yambajan just to experience the plateau hot springs. Surprisingly, the hot springs are not merely a tourist attraction. Yambajan hot springs contain sulfured hydrogen that is beneficial for many chronic diseases. Visitors can also visit the Hydrothermal Power Plant followed by an enjoyable bath in hot spring. However, taking a long bath in the hot spring is not advised as it may cause tiredness due to the high altitude.

Yambajan

One wonderful thing about Yambazan is that it stays as a green area surrounded by regions of frozen lands with iceberg for over half a year. Yambajan in the morning offers great scenery. Resembles a fairy land, the morning Yambajan atmosphere combines with rising mist from the lake is just perfect.

Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s Mausoleum

Located in the the east suburb of Nanjing Zhongshan scenic area, south foot of the Zijin mountain east peak with its east is Linggu Temple and west is Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, the Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s Mausoleum is sun yat-sen’s mausoleum, who is the father of the republic of China and the Chinese democratic revolutionary pioneer. It became the first batch of national key cultural relics protection units in 1961 and was listed the first national 5 a grade scenic spot in 2007. Each building has achieved very good results in its body composition type, clour application, material performance and the detail processing; the tonal harmony has also strengthened the solemn atmosphere, featuring profound meaning and the grand finale, which is hailed as “first ling in the architectural history of modern China”.

Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s Mausoleum

Characteristic landscape there includes Kiosk of Trajan, Kangxi Imperial Stele Pavilion, Zhongshan College and Flow Badge Pavilions. Kiosk of Trajan also called mourning hall, is a fusion of Chinese and western architectural styles palatial architecture; Kangxi Imperial Stele Pavilion was created by Tan Yankai; Zhongshan College features construction area of 2800 square meters built on November 1994, it is around with lawn, planting osmanthus, camellia, plum blossom, Sabina chinensis, magnolia, cedar and other kinds of plants, which makes the environment quiet and elegant. Flow Badge Pavilions also called waterside pavilion is located in side between Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s Mausoleum and Linggu Temple. Its three sides face water, one side alongside land, with stone steps are connected to the shore. The length of the pavilion is 14 meters and width 10 meters, around side is 1m high concrete parapet roof with milky glass tiles and red columns, and all building is reinforced concrete structure.

Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s Mausoleum

Travel information: 1) Scenic area categories: cultural landscape; 2) Opening time: 7:00　a.m. – 18:00 p.m. and don’t open on Monday; 3) Ticket price: free. 4) Playing time suggestion: 2-3 hours; 5) Best time to visit: spring time and autumn time and snow in winter also fires your imagination; 6) Ways to go there: take the city buses no.9 or city tour buses line1, 2, and 3 to Sun Yat-sen’s Mausoleum station parking lot.

Taklung Monastery is just 120 kilometers away from Lhasa. It is a stunning structure of red brick that combines beautifully with the greenery of grass that surrounds it. Even more outstanding, are the over thousand prayer flags on top of the monastery waves in the wind as a symbol of deep faith. This 800 year old monastery was an important place of the Kagyu Buddhist. At present, many pilgrims visit to have a spiritual experience.

Talung Monastery

Originally, Taklung monastery was the dwelling of over 7,000 monks who follow Kagyu Buddhism. They spent their lives by doing meditation, prayers, and reflection. Rites and ceremonies are as well conducted regularly by the monks. Taklung monastery monks are known to obey a strict prayer of meditation and they avoid eating all meat. In order to follow their strict rule and to focus on the prayer, no women were allowed to go inside Taklung monastery. A nunnery located nearby is especially built for those women pilgrims who come for religious visit.

Once, the ascendancy of Taklung monastery was getting vague. This happened because the Riwoche school of Buddhist thought began to gain popularity. Even so, the charisma of Taklung monastery can never vanish.

‘Thangkas’, beautiful religious paintings are one kind of many significant features found in Taklung monastery. Originally made by Taklung’s monks, the paintings are displayed in a monastery for the visitors to see. Also, it is as a tribute for Taklung monastery’s artistic and spiritual value.

Talung Monastery

Stand strong till present doesn’t reflect that there was some damage of the monastery. It was even destroyed once during the Cultural Revolution. It was then rebuilt by hard work and spiritual courage of locals and monks. Some damage was caused by an earthquake in 2010. It was then immediately handled by preserving especially the fragile building.

According to the history, Taklung monastery was built on top of a sacred site. The place was previously dwelled by Pottawa, a famous lama. Therefore, the land where the monastery stands now has been a religious site even since centuries ago. No wonder that the spiritual environment is very much alive here.

It is wonderful, it is fantastic, it is Norbulingka. As the meaning ‘Treasure Park’, Norbulingka is like a joyful heaven in the world. Also known as ‘the Summer Palace’, Norbulingka is a beautiful garden of 360,000 square meters area that consists of 374 rooms. It is located near Kyichu River in the western part of Lhasa, and only 0.6 mile away from the famous Potala Palace. Great Norbulingka garden is the biggest garden, man-made, in the whole Tibet.

Norbulingka

Previously, it was a land of waste and wild animals. Even so, the Seventh Dalai Lama was fond of visiting the area. The Qing magistrate then started building a palace in 1740. Followed by Kelsang Potrang which was built under the order of the 7^th Dalai Lama, It was then functioning as the Summer Palace for the significant Lamas, as well as the place for discussing political problems and for festive celebrations. Several renovations have improved the appearance of the Summer Palace. Decorated with pavilions, potrangs, gardens, and woods, the place are just stunning. The good thing is that, since it was turned into an open park, public now can also enjoy the beauty of the park.

Several palace complexes in Norbulingka are Kelsang Potrang, Takten Migyur Potrang, Tsokying Potrang, and Golden Linka. Each palace has three sections; the palace section, the front section, and the woods.

Norbulingka

First section, Kelsang Potrang is named after Dalai Lama seventh. This three-storey palace consists of halls for prayer, reading rooms, bedrooms, and sanctuaries. The second palace, Tsokyil potrang was once considered to be the most outstanding one in Norbulingka. For the palace is a stunning pavilion with the Han style architectures. Golden Linka, the third palace was built in 1922. While the next, Kelsang Potrang was built for the thirteenth Dalai Lama along with the plantation of a lot of grass, trees, and flowers. Takten Migyur Potrang was constructed under the supervision of the fourteenth Dalai Lama in 1954. Since then, the place is known as the New Summer Palace. The last palace is distinctive for its unique characteristics. A combination of villa and temple, added the beauty of murals around the palace result in a valuable art. In the northern hall of Takten Migyur Potrang, murals reflect the kind Sakyamuni and his eight disciples. While in southern hall, the murals in comic strips show the Tibet development.

Located on the bank of the Mapam Yumco Basin, the sacred lake, the Trugo monastery is very well preserved. Considering its history of over than 400 years, the monastery stands strong till present. In 1960, the magnificent Trugo monastery was demolished but then rebuilt in 1985. Originally, the first Trugo monastery was made by a bKa’r Gyud master as a shelter for pilgrims to rest. It is then developed into its size as today.

Well maintained, is one visible thing of the Trugo Monastery. The perfect location around the bank of the sacred lake makes it even more popular. Many religious pilgrims from all around the world visit the lake every year. They chant while walking around the lake. Some ‘extreme’ devotee even sells their belongings and property just to pay for the trip.

The Trugo Monastery

Located around 1,400 km from the main Lhasa, the monastery can be reached by truck or off-road vehicle. The structure of the monastery may not be much unique. The architectural style is humble, white walls with black windows. Even so, being exist beside the blue lake has somehow made the monastery looks charming.

During June to August is the perfect time to visit the Trugo monastery because of the comfort weather. After August, the rainy season begins that often causes the road towards the monastery becomes sloppy and dangerous. In winter and spring, it is even more difficult to reach the monastery due to heavy snows all around the road.

The Trugo Monastery

Due to its far location from Lhasa, visitors may need to prepare carefully for the trip. Food supplies are necessary to bring because there are no restaurants along the way from Lhasa until the monastery. Also, only one guest house is available near the lake. Limited accommodations may result in a room sharing with other visitors. No fishing is allowed in the lake, neither taking photos is permitted inside the monastery.