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Prefecture of Tibet Autonomous Region, China
Photo: Nicolai Bangsgaard, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Ngari prefecture (also known as Ali prefecture 阿里地区 Ālǐ Dìqū) is in the far west of Tibet. It is located in the northern Tibetan Plateau and has the most unique natural scenery in Tibet. It is also one of the areas with the lowest population density.
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A popular destination for tourists, under protection by the Chinese government as an important historical and cultural site. This lost civilization has left only ruins and a few legends behind, but the ruins are an amazing place to explore.
Toling, mtho lding dgon pa མཐོ་ལྡིང་དགོན་པ
The oldest monastery in Ngari Prefecture has dozens of preserved ancient wall paintings and frescoes. Tsada Clay Forest has been declared a national park, where you can see the largest tertiary strat earth forest in the world.
The highest lake in the world, a holy place of Hinduism.
A large lake next to Rutog County, with fresh water on the Chinese side and salt water on the Indian side.
A monastery full of rich history where the Tibetan government defeated the Ladakh army.
By car
National Highway G219 runs from Xinjiang through Ali to Lhasa. The Xinjiang to Tibet portion of the route is extremely remote and notoriously rough.
There are few shuttle buses here. It is unrealistic to travel only by taking shuttle buses. The general recommendation is to drive yourself everywhere.
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Shiquanhe · Regional · NGQ
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