Lake Manasarovar Travel Tips

Lake Manasarovar travel tips provide some considerations when traveling at Lake Manasarovar, which can help you to prepare a trip.

General Numbers in Tibet

  • Fire: 119
  • Police: 110
  • Ambulance: 120
  • Weather Broadcast: 121 
  • Area code of Ngari: 0897
  • Consumer Complaint: 12315
  • Local Phone Number Inquiries: 114
  • Tourist complaint Center: 0891-6833476
  • Long-distance Phone Number Inquiries: 113

Read More: Useful Numbers for Travelers in Tibet

Features of Lake Manasarovar

1. Geography

Manasarovar is the most transparent freshwater lake and the second largest natural freshwater lake in China. It means "undefeated, victorious" in Tibetan Language, known as "Holy Lake." It is located between the main peaks of the Gangdise Mountains-Mount Kailash and Namunani Peak of Himalayas, in Burang County of Tibet Autonomous region. The lake is in the shape of pear, the north is wide and the south is narrow, the long axis is 26 kilometers long and the short axis is 21 kilometers long. The lake is 4588 meters above sea level. The average water depth is 46 meters, and the maximum water depth is 81.8 meters, covering an area of 412 square kilometers. The lake is blue and clear, with a transparency of 14 meters.

2. Holy Lake

Lake Manasarovar is one of the three holy lakes in Tibet, along with Namtso Lake and Yamdrok Lake. It is said that Lake Manasarovar is the holiest lake, the nectar given by the Lord of Victory, and the holy water can cleanse the mind of troubles and evil obstacles. She is the oldest and most sacred place among all holy places of Bonismo, Indian Buddhism and Hinduism. She is the perfect lake in the soul. She is the true heaven in the universe, the Shangri-La of the gods, the blissful world of all things. Hinduism says that it is the residence of Shiva.

3. Lake Manasarovar Kora

Kora around Lake Manasarovar is a four-day walking route. Lake water perfectly reflects the blue sky and white clouds like a mirror. Walking 110 kilometers along the lake, you will pass 5 Buddhist monasteries along the way: Chiu Monastery, Langbona Monastery, Seralung Monastery, Trupo Monastery, and Gossul Monastery. Some monasteries have hotels, but most pilgrims camp outdoors, which gives you a better understanding of Kora around the lake. Although it is good to stay in a temple for at least one night, as it is not that often one can spend a night in a true Tibetan Buddhist temple, which is an experience you can’t miss. Tibetan pilgrims always set out from the Chiu Monastery in the northwest of the lake, which is widely considered to be the best place to start the Kora.

Best Time To Visit

It is recommended to get to Lake Manasarovar during April to June and September to October with relatively stable weather. From November to next April, the severe cold weather makes it tough to have a trip. And every July to August is the rainy season. In the rainy season(July and August), cars often get struck in the mud and delays happen frequently. The road keeps closed during winter and spring. But in summer, you will encounter many pilgrims from India and Nepal.

Read more: Best Time to Visit Kailash Mansarovar in Tibet

Transportation

Ngari Gunsa Airport is 4274 meters above sea level. If you don't have a plateau tourism experience, it is recommended that you do not fly to Ngari directly. For the first time, people who travel to Tibet are vulnerable to altitude sickness in such a high place. And railway and long-distance bus to Ngari are not available, so driving is the best choice to Kailash Manasarovar, Ngari. Located in the west part of Tibet, in the Ngari Prefecture, it is a long journey to drive to Kailash Manasarovar. Generally speaking, it takes at least 4 days departing from Lhasa, and usually longer. 

Packing and Dressing Tips

1. Bring multiple layers of long-sleeved, warm clothing with you so you will be prepared no matter the temperature. The temperature at night is much lower than it is during the day even during the summer, so some cold weather gears like hat, gloves, scarf and thick winter coat are needed.

2. With the high altitude of about 5000 meters, changeable weather and strong wind during the day and night at Lake Manasarocar, you'd better bring some warm clothes and shoes, cold medicine and medicine for altitude sickness. Besides, remember to bring sun cream, sunglasses and other sunscreen products with you because of strong solar radiation in the daytime.

3. Food and accommodation conditions at Lake Manasarovar are limited, you'd better bring some foods and your own sleep bag. 

4. Before you go to Lhasa in China, you need to arrange your travel with the travel agency and let them help you get related permits. For foreign tourists to Tibet, it is necessary to hold a Tibet Travel Permit issued by Tibet Tourism Bureau. This permit is applied by your travel agency. You need Tibet Travel Permit to board a flight or train, and it is always needed when you are travelling in Tibet. Foreigners can travel to the unopened areas in Tibet with a Alien's travel permit issued by the Local public security bureau. Another necessary permit is a border pass, which you need if you plan to go to any area near the Nepal border, such as Mount Everest and Mount Kailash, or to leave Tibet to enter Nepal. Finally, to enter Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar, visitors must also obtain military permit to travel to certain areas of the military exclusion zone in Ngari. It should be noted that only travel agency can apply the necessary permits for foreign tourists, and the Tibet Tourism Bureau does not accept individual applications for the Tibet Travel Permit.

Post Offices

It is located between the main peaks of the Gangdise Mountains-Mount Kailash and Namunani Peak of Himalayas, in Burang County of Tibet Autonomous region. The postal code of Burang County is 859500. Here below are several post offices and expresses in Burang County.

1. China Post Office(Burang County Branch)中国邮政普兰县邮政局
Address: Provincial Road, Burang County, Ngari阿里地区普兰县207省道

2. China Post Office(Baga Township Branch)中国邮政普兰县巴嘎乡邮政局
Address: Baga Township, Burang County, Ngari阿里地区普兰县巴嘎乡
Tel: 13308975222/15348979988

3. Cainiao Yizhan菜鸟驿站
Address: Bilin North Road, Burang County, Ngari(Near People's Government of Burang County)阿里地区普兰县比林北路(普兰镇人民政府附近)
Tel: 4001787878

Banks

Banks can be seen on the way to Lake Manasarovar, you can ask your driver or tour guide. Here below are mainly several banks in Burang County.

1. Agricultural Bank of China(Burang County Branch)中国农业银行普兰县支行
Address: No.23, Gonggar Road, Burang County, Ngari阿里地区普兰县贡嘎路23号
Tel: 0897-2602162

2. Agricultural Bank of China中国农业银行
Address: Baga Township, Burang County, Baga Township阿里地区普兰县巴嘎乡

3. Agricultural Bank of China中国农业银行
Address: Huoer Township, Burang County, Baga Township阿里地区普兰县霍尔乡
Tel: 0897-2607169/0897-2607619

Hospitals

Although medical level in this area is deficient, hospitals and drugstores are available in Ngari Prefecture in case of emergency. 

1. Gangdise Branch of Ngari Tibetan Medicine Hospital阿里地区藏医院冈底斯分院
Address: Burang County, Ngari阿里地区普兰县

2. Burang County Health Service Center普兰县卫生服务中心
Address: Burang County, Ngari阿里地区普兰县

3. People's Hospital of Ngari Prefecture阿里地区人民医院
Address: No.10, Beijing South Road, Gar County, Ngari阿里地区噶尔县北京南路10号

4. People's Affordable Pharmacy百姓平价大药房
Address: No.51, Wenhua Road, Gar County, Ngari阿里地区噶尔县文化路51号

5. Traditional Tibetan Hospital of Ngari Prefecture阿里地区藏医院
Address: No.8, Shiquanhe West Road, Gar County, Ngari阿里地区噶尔县狮泉河西路8号