The Qiangtang Plateau is an important part of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the largest inland area of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (in the Qiangtang Basin), the second largest lake area in China, and the highest inland lake area in the world. Its range generally refers to the Gangdise Mountains - north of the Nyainqentanglha Mountains and south of the Kunlun Mountains, the inner and outer streams divide the watershed line, with a maximum width of 760 kilometers from north to south and a length of about 1,200 kilometers from east to west. Covering an area of nearly 600,000 square kilometers, it accounts for 1/4 of the total area of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. It belongs to Nagqu and Ngari in the Tibet Autonomous Region.
With an average altitude of over 4,000 meters, the Qiangtang Plateau is the roof of the world. There are countless sacred mountains and holy lakes, rivers flowing in all directions, vast wastelands and deserts, magnificent glaciers and gurgling hot springs, etc. However, it is extremely cold and dry, windy and hypoxic, with an annual average temperature below zero degrees Celsius and an average annual rainfall of only 100-200 mm. The natural environment is extremely harsh and the living conditions are difficult.
This time, we traveled along the Bangor, Nima, Cuoqin, and Geji lines on the south side of the Qiangtang Plateau, through the vast, desolate, and vast depths of the plateau, to test the ability to adapt to the harsh environment of high cold, dry, and severe hypoxia, and to appreciate the magnificence , The unpredictable desert scenery adds passionate color to our peaceful life. This section introduces the travel situation and main attractions in Bangor and Nima County.
Bangor County is affiliated to Nagqu City, Tibet, and is located in the west of northern Tibet, between the two lakes of Namtso and Selin Co. Bangor has a long history, before Tubo belonged to the sphere of influence of the ancient Zhang Zhung regime. The terrain of Bangor County is concave in the south and convex in the north. The lake area in the south is 4,530 meters above sea level, surrounded by alluvial plains and gentle hills.
Nyima County is also a county under the jurisdiction of Nagqu City. It is located in the northwest of Nagqu City. It is the central territory of the ancient Zhang Zhung and an important birthplace of the ancient Zhang Zhung civilization. According to archaeological findings, the "Yongzong Bon Religion" born in this area has a history of more than 10,000 years, which can be said to be the oldest religion in the world. However, due to its long history and harsh natural environment, historical relics left behind are very rare.
After we arrived in Lhasa on the evening of September 29, 2020, we rested in Lhasa for two days on September 30 and October 1. On October 2, we started our trip across the Ali Great North Line, and visited Nyainqentanglha Mountain along the way. Taiwan, Nagenla Pass, and Namtso Sacred Elephant Tianmen Scenic Area. After visiting the Holy Elephant Tianmen again on the morning of October 3, head to Bangor County in the afternoon. On October 4th, I went from Bangor County to Wenbunan Village in Nyima County via Nyima County. On the way, I visited Selin Co, Co E Co, Dangqiong Co and the plateau and desert scenery.
Nyainqentanglha Mountain is the guardian deity of Tibet in Tibetan Buddhism, and also the main god of the mountains of gods on the grasslands of northern Tibet. Next to the Qinghai-Tibet Highway, there is a viewing platform of Nyainqentanglha Mountain, where you can watch Nyainqentanglha Mountain from a good angle.
Nagenla Mountain Pass, with an altitude of 5190 meters, is the only way to Namtso. Standing at the mountain pass and looking north, you can see the blue Nam Co in the distance.
Due to time constraints, we did not go to the Tashi Peninsula in Namtso this time, but went directly from the east side of Namtso to the north shore of the lake to visit the recently popular Sacred Elephant Tianmen Scenic Spot.
Holy Elephant Tianmen is a hill on the north bank of Namtso, named after its shape resembling an elephant drawing water from the lake. Between the body and the trunk of the stone elephant is like a huge door. Legend has it that this is the holy door leading to heaven. This is a sacred place of Tibetan Tantric Buddhism, where countless eminent monks and hermits have practiced here for thousands of years.
Standing on the north bank of Namtso, the Sacred Elephant Tianmen looks at the vast expanse of blue water and the towering Nyainqentanglha Mountain. Under the gaze of the sun, white clouds and holy white snow, it seems to prove something.
To the west of the Sacred Elephant Tianmen Scenic Area, there is also a Sanshengshi Scenic Area. There are three small stone mountains lined up by the Namtso Lake from big to small. It is quite magical. The scenery of the lake bay next to it is also good. It is worth visiting. .
After several years of construction, the road conditions to the Sacred Elephant Tianmen Scenic Area have been greatly improved. From Lhasa, passing through the Nagenla Pass in Damxung, and then driving around the east side of Namtso for about 65 kilometers, this road is all asphalt The road surface is in good condition. Walk about 65 kilometers from Genla Pass, and you will see an elephant-shaped gatehouse on the left side of the road. You have to turn left and pass through the gatehouse, and then follow Huanhu Road directly to the Sacred Elephant Tianmen Scenic Area. This section The road is sandy and gravel, and the road conditions are not very good. There is no problem with off-road vehicles, but cars should be careful.
At present, the reception capacity of the Sacred Elephant Tianmen Scenic Area is insufficient and the conditions are poor. We happened to go there during the National Day, so we can only live in a tent hotel in Gaxiong Village, about 30 kilometers east of the Sacred Elephant Tianmen. Datongpu, 6-8 people per tent tent.
Bangor to Nima is already the hinterland of the Qiangtang Plateau. The altitude along the way is above 4,500 meters. The vast desert is vast, with few people and no trees. However, this vast land is not without life. Adorable groundhogs run back and forth between their burrows, and occasional sheep, horses and wild animals appear on the roadside, adding life to the wilderness under the blue sky and white clouds.
Sering Co is located at the junction of Bangor and Nyima, and Selin Co means "devil's lake reflected in majestic light" in Tibetan. It is a tectonic lake produced during the formation of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. In history, the area of Selin Co once reached 10,000 square kilometers. Later, due to climate change, the lakes shrank, and nearby lakes such as Geren Co, Co E, Yage Dong Co, Bange Co, Wuru Co, and Chagui Co were separated. However, in recent decades, due to the accelerated melting of Puuogangri Glacier in the north, the area of Selin Co has been increasing. By June 2014, the lake was 4,530 meters above sea level, with an area of 2,391 square kilometers, making it the largest lake in Tibet. Great lake and the second largest saltwater lake in China.
Surrounded by mountains on all sides, the Selin Co watershed has a vast lake basin. There are mountains in the lake, mountains and lakes, surrounded by mountains and water, and the lakeside is rich in water and grass. It is an important animal husbandry base in Tibet, and it is also the most rare and endangered species in the plateau ecosystem. In the area, there are black-necked cranes, snow leopards, Tibetan antelopes, argali, Tibetan wild donkeys, Tibetan snow chickens and other wild animals under national first-class protection.
Serin Co is too big, but it doesn’t feel like the sea, because you can still see the mountains on the opposite side of the lake. Standing on the viewing platform by the lake, Selin Co in front is like a blue belt from left to right. Extend right. After finally climbing up a hill by the lake, the Serin Lake in front of me has a feeling of vastness and boundlessness. At this time, only by pointing the camera at the lake shore can you feel the lake view in the photo.
The left side of the picture above is Selin Co, and the right side is Co E Co.
It is still a video to show the style of the largest lake in Tibet.
Co'e Lake is located in the southwest of Serin Co, with an altitude of 4,562 meters and a water area of about 244 square kilometers. Because the lake here is a brackish freshwater lake, there are lush aquatic plants, rich fish resources, and various birds. Come here to spend the summer, the 6 islands in the lake of different sizes have traces of birds.
Dangqiongcuo is located in the south of Nima County, with an altitude of 4475 meters and an area of 54.5 square kilometers. Wenbu Township in Nyima County is on the east side of the lake. Since Provincial Highway 205 going to Wenbu South Village has circled more than half of the lakeshore of Dangqiong Co from north to south, we can appreciate it from multiple angles.
Wenbu South Village is a small village under the jurisdiction of Wenbu Township, Nyima County. It is gradually known because it is located next to Dangre Yumco, and because of the recent boom in tourism on the Ali Grand Ring Road. Therefore, this is the "import and exit" that crosses the no-man's land of Qiangtang. Of course, there are also the ancient Bon religion mountain - Daguo God Mountain and Bon religion holy lake? - Dangre Yongcuo. The Zhang Zhung Kingdom with Dangruo Yumco as its core area is one of the oldest oriental civilizations. Bon religion, as the essence of Zhang Zhung civilization, still has a profound influence on Tibet.
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