The number of visitors traveling to Mt. Kailash is expected to increase in 2014

Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasarovar will be opened to visitors comprehensively in the coming May. At the same time, the newly constructed hotels and other service facilities will be put into operation. It is said that the number of visitors traveling to Mt. Kailash is expected to increase in 2014. According to the Tibetan Calendar, 2014 is the year of horse, and it has been an old tradition to make kora around Mt. Kailash in the year of horse.

It is reported that there were 50,000-60,000 foreign visitors and pilgrims visited Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasarovar in 2012 and 2013. Domestic visitors and pilgrims were not included in that number. Making kora around Mt. Kailash in the year of horse has been an old tradition for pilgrims from different corners of the world.

Tourists who've been to Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasarovar might have found that the accommodation condition there is pretty limited. Both visitors and pilgrims could only stay overnight in the guesthouse or monasteries with poor condition or even in their tents. To meet the demand of visitors, local government attached great importance in the construction of the infrastructure. Purang Hotel and Mt. Kailash Hotel were constructed under the standard of 3-star hotel. Tourists could enjoy a better accommodation condition after these two hotels were put into operation in May.

A large investment has been put into the construction of the infrastructure at Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasarovar, including the accommodation facilities, transportation tools, oxygen plants and some other supporting facilities. Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasarovar have high altitude and severe climate, the construction of those infrastructures could provide visitors a better experience and better protect them from the challenging natural environment.

Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasarovar are two of the most famous scenic spots on Ngari Plateau. There is a large number of visitors would come here for sightseeing or worshiping between May and September every year. Most foreign tourists would travel to Mt. Kailash from other domestic cities via Lhasa or from Nepal via Zhangmu Port. There is also a certain number of visitors would like to start their Mt. Kailash tour from Kashgar in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region along the Xinjiang-Tibet Highway. There is a direct flight between Ngari Gunsa Airport and Kashgar Airport and tourists making a Tibet tour from Xinjiang could save a lot of time if you choose the air transportation.

It is necessary for tourists planning a Mt. Kailash tour to make a good preparation for the high altitude and challenging weather condition. Mostly, we would suggest our clients to prepare some solid food with high calorie for the monasteries around Mt. Kailash only provide simple Tibetan food or Sichuan style food. For tourists having a lot of luggage and willing to cook some food on your own, it is advisable to rent a yak and employ a yak keeper at Darchen to help you to share the burden. It is a great challenge for visitors from the plain area with low altitude to trek around Mt. Kailash with high altitude and poor road condition for nearly three days.