Tibet Established a Reception Center for Foreign Pilgrims

For the regularization of the foreign pilgrims come to the Holy Mountain – Mt. Kailash for pilgrimage, three travel agencies in Tibet established a pilgrim's reception center. The reception center provides services for pilgrims come to Tibet for worshipping and pilgrimage from India, Nepal and some other countries. It is reported that the reception center has received more than 2000 pilgrims in 2005.

According to the Tourist Administration of Ngari Prefecture in Tibet Autonomous Region, Ngari Prefecture has rich tourism resources, among which Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasarovar attracts the largest number of tourists come to Ngari Plateau. The Holy Lake and Holy Mountain are not only attractive scenic spots for tourists but also holy places in the mind of the pilgrims from India, Nepal and other corners of the world. According to statistic, Ngari Prefecture receives more than 6000 pilgrims every year and the number of pilgrims come to Ngari Prefecture would rise to more than ten thousands in the Year of Horse. It has been a tradition to make kora around Mt. Kailash in the Year or Horse for the devout followers of Tibetan Buddhism in different corners of the world.

There was certain management chaos and poor service in receiving the foreign pilgrims in Tibet before the establishment of the pilgrim's reception center. To improve the reception quality, the pilgrim's reception center was established with the support of the relevant departments in Tibet. It is reported that the establishment of the pilgrim's center not only unified the market but also improved the reception quality and management level.

A large number of pilgrims from different corners of the world would come to Ngari for pilgrimage via Pulan Port or Zhangmu Port between June and September every year. The number of Indian pilgrims keeps rising after Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasarovar was opened to Indians in 1982. To save the transportation cost, most of the pilgrims from India and Nepal would like to enter into Tibet overland through Zhangmu Port or Pulan Port.

With an altitude of 6714 meters, Mt. Kailash is the main peak of Gangdise Mountains. It is located in Pulan County of Ngari Prefecture in Tibet. It is highly respected as the holy mountain by the followers of Buddhism, Hinduism, Bon and Jainism. Lake Manasarovar, which is only about 20 kilometers away from the Holy Mountain, is highly respected as the Holy Lake by the followers of Buddhism and Hinduism. With an altitude of 4588 meters, Lake Manasarovar covers an area of 412 square kilometers.

Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasarovar are of high altitude and severe climate, foreign pilgrims planning to circumambulate around the Holy Lake and Holy Mountain are highly advised to spend 2 days in a lower place for physical adjustment. The board and lodging condition at Mt. Kailash is pretty limited, pilgrims should prepare certain solid food and commonly used medicines in advance. It is advisable to rent a yak which could help to carry your luggage while making kora around Mt. Kailash previously. There is road for vehicles around Lake Manasarovar and senior pilgrims could finish the circumambulation around the lake in a few hours.