Mount Kailash

Mount Kailash is 6,714m high and with its four sheer walls and snow capped peak it is an awe-inspiring sight. For Hindus it is the holiest of the holy place as the abode of Lord Shiva. It also has geographical significance as four great rivers flow from it: the Karnali, the Indus, the Sutlej and the Brahmaputra, which drain the vast Tibetan Plateau to contribute to the Ganges in India. Kailash is an object of devout pilgrimage also for the Buddhists.

Lake Manasarovar is situated approximately 30km from Mt. Kailash and is one of the highest freshwater lakes in the world. This beautiful and sacred lake is an important pilgrimage site for Buddhists and Hindus, as it is believed that bathing in the holy waters will cleanse one's sins. With views to Gurla Mandhata (7,728m)on the backdrop , this is a place of serene beauty. On the northwest shore of the lake is the picturesque Chiu Monastery.

Lake Manasarover

Manasarovar means 'everlasting jade lake' in the Tibetan language. It is said this commemorates a battle between Buddhism and a local sect which started in 11th century. Lake Manasarovar is southeast of Mt. Kailash at an altitude of 4,588 meters (about 15,052 feet) with a total area of 412 square kilometers (about 159 square miles). It is the highest freshwater lake in the world. In fine days, bluish water, glistening waves, reflections of clouds and snow-capped mountains form a spectacular picture which make you won't want to leave and will, surely, never forget.

For centuries Lake Manasarovar has been considered sacred lake by followers of Buddhism and Hinduism. All the pilgrims of these two sects take bathing in the lake as the happiest thing in their life because they believe the water here can cleanse 'five poisons' in people's spirit (greed, anger, silliness, idleness and envy). Meanwhile, it can also wash off the dirt from their skin.

Mt. Kailash is one of the ten most beautiful mountains in China according to Chinese National Geography. Actually, Mt. Kailash is considered a divine mountain universally by people from all over the world. Its shape is very much like the pyramids in Egypt with four nearly symmetrical sides. Although Mt. Kailash is not the highest peak in this region, its glistening snow-covered top makes it the most eye catching one. There are altogether five temples around this sacred mountain. Many wide-spread legends shroud these temples with mystery. Many carvings, statues and murals can still be found here, but some of them have been destroyed over the years.

Mt. Kailash is usually wreathed by white clouds. Therefore the locals think if someone can clearly view the peak, he or she will be very lucky. For hundreds of years, Mt. Kailash has been an alluring mountain to pilgrims and explorers. However no one has reached its top till only just recently.

Lake Manasarovar and Mt. Kailash's irresistible charm attract visitors from all over the world in an endless.

Gauri Kunda

While proceeding downwards from Dolma - La (Dolma Pass), a steep descent to Gouri Kund at 5608 m, also called the Lake of compassion as referred to in the shiva Purana this is the setting for the legend of Parvati and how Ganesh acquired his elephant head bathing in the emerald waters of the kund, Parvati fashioned an image of Ganesh from the soap suds on her body, breathed life into it and placed it at the entrance of her home to prevent anyone entering. Lord Shiva happened to return at this point of time and was stopped by Ganesha. Indignant at this affront, shiva cut off the boy's head. Pravati was inconsolable and insisted that the boy be brought back to life shiva took the head of a wandering elephant and placed it on the body. Life was restored and Parvati had her son back.