WWoen-luomanniqianlongI was on my way to Gang Rinpozi and I kept thinking: What is it that makes so many people go to this mountain?
Is it faith, is it scenery, or is it looking for a different self?
Gang Rinpoche is a sacred existence in Tibetan Buddhism. Many people turn to the mountains for pilgrimage, accumulate merit, and pray for peace. Others are shocked to stand at the foot of the snowy mountains and be surrounded by lakes and grasslands for that moment. Of course, there are people who want to challenge themselves - measure faith with footsteps and respond to the call of the plateau with persistence.
I think everyone who goes here has a mountain of their own. They are firm, warm, brave, and know what life is really like.
I stayed at this hotel from September 14 to 17, 2025, for three consecutive nights. Writing this article, I also want to give you a real reference to come to the mountain later.
The town of Tartsin, which means “between the mountain and the holy lake,” is like its namequiet, remote, but full of power.
You have several choices to live here: a hotel, a homestay, or simply a tent, a car. See which one you are suitable for.
📍 Choose a hotel, I like these two things the most:
One is close to the starting point of the mountain. Tartin is not big, but there is still some distance from the town entrance to Jingyu Square. Living close, I can sleep more the next day, saving physical strength and fares. When I came back, I couldn't wait to lie flat for a second.
Second is the pick-up service. Ask in advance whether the hotel provides pick-up (free or charged), which really affects the experience.
🏔️ Regarding high altitude:
Tartarqin is about 4,600 meters above sea level. If you are arriving directly, it is strongly recommended to choose an oxygen-supply hotel for the first night, and take a good rest to turn the mountain better. If you have slowly adapted from Lhasa and other places, it may be better.
🛏️ Facilities:
Heating: It is very cold at night, and the floor heating/air conditioning/electric blanket is really life-saving.
Oxygen: Dispersive oxygen supply or bedside oxygen tube, can greatly relieve high reaction, sleep well.
Hot water: 24 hours hot water is extravagant here, but at least ask for the time period of supply.
Wi-Fi: Most have network, but don't expect too fast, peace of mind ”offline” for a while is not bad.
🍽️ Dinner:
The hotel generally has restaurants, Sichuan cuisine, Tibetan food, small hot pot. You can also go to other restaurants in the town for a change.
This time I stayed at the Joy Hotel, and I felt that the price/performance ratio was very suitable:
The location is excellent, very close to the beginning and end of the mountain; the facilities are complete and clean, the diffuse oxygen + nasal straw double oxygen supply method, the room also has a humidifier, the socket tube is enough, and the curtains are all electric.
The most pleasant surprise is breakfast! Self-service, hot porridge, eggs, steamed buns, corn sweet potatoes, sweet-scented sweet-scented sweet-scented sweet-scented sweet-scented sweet-scented sweet-scented sweet-scented sweet-scented sweet-scented sweet-scented sweet-scented sweet-scented sweet-
Of course, I have to objectively say two words: some areas around the hotel are still being renovated, the environment is slightly messy; the elevator has not been installed yet, you have to climb two floors (but the staff will take the initiative to help carry the luggage!); occasionally the toilet in the room has an anti-smell, and the store manager said it has been improved.
But on the 4600-meter plateau, we already feel content.
After the mountain turn, we also went to the Guge Dynasty, Yincheng, Mapanyu and Laangcuo, and even broke through the mouth of ”dry land pull onion”, and finally flew from Ali to Kashgar - the whole journey was like a dream.
Fortunately, on the day we turned the mountain, we escaped hail and snow, and experienced sunshine, showers, small hail and rainbows... like the mountain gods gently waved and sent us a gentle gift.
This is the hell of the body, the heaven of the eyes, and the return of the soul.
If you are about to start, I hope you can also meet your own light, peace and wish.
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