Not the American West, but a random shot of Zanda, Tibet

**Opening**: Ngari is a journey where "your eyes are in heaven, but your body is in hell." Yet when you stand at the foot of Mount Kailash, gaze at the starry sky over Lake Manasarovar, or touch the ruins of the Guge Kingdom, all the hardships transform into awe and emotion. Prepare thoroughly before departure, respect nature, and honor local culture—this will be an unforgettable journey of a lifetime! 🛬 **Itinerary**: **Day 1-2**: Lhasa → Shigatse → Lhatse → Saga (~500 km) • Depart via G318 Highway, passing Shigatse (brief stop to visit Tashilhunpo Monastery), and enter Ngari after Saga. • Accommodation: Saga County (basic conditions; recommend "Saga International Youth Hostel" or local hotels). **Day 3-4**: Saga → Zhongba → Burang (~480 km) • Pass through Zhongba Grassland (covered in wildflowers in summer) to Burang County. • Must-visit spots: ◦ **Mount Kailash** (~150 km from Burang): Starting point for the kora (pilgrimage circuit). Admire the sacred mountain from afar (light kora possible if physically fit: 3 days, 2 nights, guide required). ◦ **Lake Manasarovar**: One of Tibet’s three holy lakes, with crystal-clear blue waters. Drive along the shore (beware of strong winds). ◦ **Lake Rakshastal (Ghost Lake)**: Adjacent to Manasarovar, its salty waters contrast starkly with the barren surroundings. • Accommodation: Burang County ("Burang International Hotel" or Tibetan-style guesthouses). **Day 5-6**: Burang → Zanda (~250 km) • Travel along the Xinjiang-Tibet Highway (G219) to Zanda, witnessing the gradual emergence of the earth forest landscape. • Must-visit spots: ◦ **Zanda Earth Forest** (20 km west of town): A million-year-old geological wonder resembling castles and towers. Best photographed at sunset (soft light). ◦ **Tholing Monastery** (Zanda town): Ngari’s oldest Buddhist temple, blending Indian and Nepalese styles. Guided tours available (~¥50). • Accommodation: Zanda County ("Zanda Hotel" or "Guge Kingdom Hotel," better conditions than Burang). **Day 7**: Zanda → Guge Kingdom Ruins → Zanda (round trip ~130 km) • Morning: Visit the **Guge Kingdom Ruins** (3,700m altitude)—a mysteriously vanished ancient kingdom with surviving murals (climb 300m of stairs; pace yourself for altitude). • Afternoon: Optional visit to **Piyang-Donggar Caves** (~40 km from Zanda, requires off-road vehicle; exquisite murals but less developed). • Accommodation: Zanda County. **Day 8-9**: Zanda → Gar (Shiquanhe) → Namru (~380 km) • Drive via G219 through Gar County (Ngari’s capital, Shiquanhe Town) for supplies (supermarkets, pharmacies available). • Continue north to the edge of uninhabited areas, passing Namru Village with its red willow wetlands (stunning in autumn). • Accommodation: Namru Village (basic conditions, mostly tent guesthouses; experience Tibetan nomadic life). **Day 10-11**: Namru → Gerze → Dongco → Nyima (~600 km) • Enter northern Tibet’s vast grasslands and lakes (e.g., Dongco Lake, Zhari Namco). • **Zhari Namco** (Tibet’s third-largest lake): Drive along the shore to spot black-necked cranes; golden reflections at sunset. • Accommodation: Nyima County (basic; book ahead). **Day 12-13**: Nyima → Coqen → Zhari Namco → Lake Dangra Yutso (~450 km) • Via Coqen County to **Lake Dangra Yutso** (Tibet’s deepest lake, 4,530m altitude): Deep turquoise waters surrounded by Bon religion sites. Explore the Zhangzhung Kingdom ruins (guide required). • Accommodation: Near Lake Dangra Yutso (harsh conditions; mostly herder tents or simple metal shelters). **Day 14-15**: Lake Dangra Yutso → Siling Co → Bangor → Namtso → Lhasa (~1,000 km) • Return via **Siling Co** (Tibet’s largest lake; scenic views). • Take G109 back to Lhasa to conclude the trip. 🚌 **Travel Tips**: • **Private vehicle (with driver)**: ¥1,600–1,800/day (includes fuel; off-road vehicle). • **Accommodation**: County hotels ¥300–600/night; remote tent guesthouses ¥150–300/night. • **Entrance fees**: ◦ Mount Kailash ¥150 (+¥100 vehicle eco-fee), ◦ Lake Manasarovar ¥150, ◦ Guge Kingdom Ruins ¥100, ◦ Zanda Earth Forest ¥50. **Total**: ~¥500. • **Food**: ¥150–200/day (Sichuan cuisine; try Tibetan dishes like butter tea or yak meat soup). • **Misc.**: Free border permit; oxygen bottles ¥50–100; glucose tablets ¥20/box. 🧡 **Tips**: 1. **Altitude sickness**: Ngari averages 4,500m+ elevation. Avoid bathing, alcohol, or strenuous activity on arrival. Descend immediately if severe symptoms occur (e.g., to Shiquanhe or Saga). 2. **Cultural respect**: No photos of temples/prayer flags without permission; circle stupas/mani piles clockwise; avoid stepping on thresholds or touching religious items. 3. **Eco-awareness**: Pack out all trash (especially plastics); stay on trails to protect grasslands; do not disturb wildlife (Tibetan antelopes, wild yaks, etc.). 4. **Connectivity/supplies**: Limited signal (4G only in towns); download offline maps. Few supply points (stock up in Saga, Burang, Zanda, Shiquanhe).