Nyingchi is one of the seven prefecture-level cities of Tibet Autonomous Region. It is located in the southeastern part of Tibet, bordering China's Sichuan Province to the east, by the north-south range the Hengduan Mountains. The beautiful national road G318, also called as Sichuan-Tibet Road, has the section from Ranwu Lake to Mila Mountain Pass within the jurisdiction of Nyingchi.
Due to the distribution of the Tibetan people, different regions in the Tibetan-inhabited areas have developed slightly different dialects and customs. Tibetan people are divided into several branches. The local Tibetan in Nyingchi areKhamba Tibetans. And historically and geographically, Nyingchi belongs to the Kham Tibet, which is composed of parts of the southeastern Tibet, southeastern Qinghai Province, western Sichuan Province, and northwestern Yunnan Province.
Beautiful View of Nyingchi in Spring
With the lowest altitude in Tibet, an average of 3,000 meters above sea level, Nyingchi is a great choice to take as the first stop of a Tibet trip. Because most new comers get some degrees of mountain sickness (also called altitude sickness), and in Nyingchi, it is probably easier to get acclimatized to the elevation.
If you are traveling with seniors or minors, Nyingchi will be highly recommended to visit first before you take your family to the higher destinations such as Lhasa, and the even more challenging attractions such as Mount Everest or Namtso Lake.
Nyingchi has a very unique climate, which is very different from the most of Tibet. The Yarlung Tsangpo Great Canyon in Nyingchi, serves as a long open gate to the Indian Ocean current traveling from the south. Under such impact instead of the continental climate which is typical on the Tibetan Plateau, Nyingchi has a multiple type of climate features including subtropical humid and sub-humid climates. As a result, Nyingchi is the most moist and warmest region in Tibet, and has the largest forestry coverage rate in Tibet.
You can have a blast in Nyingchi no matter which season you choose to have your Nyingchi trip. Spring wakes up the peach blossoms in the river valleys; summer brings back the alpine flowers back to life; the golden autumn is so beautiful among the exuberant forests. And winter puts on the pure white coat to the surrounding. There is always something that is strikingly beautiful in Nyingchi.
Temperature Data in Nyingchi
| Temperature ℃ | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average High | 7.6 | 9.9 | 12.9 | 16.9 | 20.4 | 22.9 | 22.5 | 21.5 | 20.5 | 17 | 12.4 | 8.7 |
| Average Low | -9 | -6 | -2.5 | 1 | 5 | 9 | 10 | 9.5 | 7.6 | 1.8 | -4 | -8 |
The following content will give info about Nyingchi's top attractions and recommends the best times we think to visit them respectively.
Nyingchi maintains the largest forestry in Tibet. To visit the forestry mountains, the best two spots, which are also close to each other, are Lulang Forest and Mount Shergyla. You can have a day trip including both of them.
Location: 70 kilometers east of Bayi Town, Nyingchi
Best Season: summer and autumn
Summer meadows on the edge of the forests are adorned with countless plateau flowers. From every May, the alpine flowers, come into blossom. These species include a wide array of alpine azalea, blue pretty poppy, gentian flower, and so on. Most of them are endemic and have precious value for botanists to study the vegetation in the region. Trees such as cypress, spruce and oriental white oak are the main tree species. Numerous lakelets and streams bring the vibrance to the landscape.
Lulang Forest in Nyingchi
Yarlung Tsangpo Great Canyon
Location: Pailong Township, Nyingchi
Best times: April, October and November
Description: The whole length of the Yarlung Tsangpo Great Canyon is 505 kilometers. The recorded deepest point is 6,009 meters and the average depth of the canyon is 2,268 meters, which makes it the undoubtedly deepest canyon in the world. It starts from the northern origin, Daduka Village, Pai Town, Mailing County, via the Great Bend situated in Pailong Township, and reaches the southern end in Baxika Village, Medog County. The major part of the Yarlung Tsangpo Great Canyon is within Medog County.
Nyang River
Location: running through Gongbo'gyamda County (in the west of Nyingchi) and Bayi Town, Nyingchi
Best Season: summer and autumn
Description: Nyang River is the fourth largest stream of the Yarlung Tsangpo River. The whole length is 306 kilometers. It is the mother river of Nyingchi City. The G318 National Road and Lhasa-Nyingchi Road both run by the river shores. Nyang River basin area is beautiful all four seasons. In the spring, peach blossom bloom along the rivers. And in the summer, the trees growing in the islets in the river or along the banks glisten lush and vivid green. Autumn colored vegetation is in the river valley is also pretty. Nyang River gets frozen on the surface in the depth of winter. And when it snows, the landscape changes into an elegant and quiet world.
Mount Namcha Barwa
Altitude: 7,782 meters
Location: 80 km southeast of Bayi Town, Nyingchi
Best Season: autumn (especially October and November)
There are dozens of glaciers in the valleys surrounding Mount Namcha Barwa. The top of the peak is considerably flat and covered with ice and snow all year round. The glaciers in this region mostly belong to oceanic glaciers, which means they confront more frequent movements and get a great influence from the temperature and rainfall. In addition, the terrain is very steep. Therefore, glacier avalanche and snow avalanche are very common.
The rainy season starts from May and ends in September in the region. During the period of July, August and September, it almost rains every day and the cloud volumes are also large. So, the Mount Namcha Barwa is likely to be veiled during these rainy months. From November to the April of the next year, is the dry season in the region. Most days then are sunny so that to have a clear view of the peak is more promising.
Best Spots to See Mount Namcha Barwa
The mountain pass at Mount Shergyla, which is located between Bomi County and Bayi Town, on the G318 National Road, is a great spot to have a view. Another ideal spot is in the Yarlung Tsangpo Great Canyon area. Suosong Village and Zhibai Village of Nyingchi, are also great places to wait and see the peak and the beautiful countryside scenery, where you can both find accommodations as well.
Mount Namcha Barwa
Midui Glacier
Altitudes: the main peak (6,800m); the snow line (4,600m); the glacier terminus (3,870m)
Location: within Bomi County, Nyingchi
Best Season: spring and autumn, winter
Description: Though Midui Glacier and the surroundings are beautiful all year round. In summer, rain and landslide are both more likely to happen on the route to Midui Glacier. In the dry season of Midui Glacier region, clear days enable clarity of the water under the glacier; the mountain area is often covered by snow and the glacier glimmers with pretty blue light.
Nyingchi Peach Blossom
Nyingchi is best known for the peach blossom blooming in March and April. The peach trees here are mostly wild growing trees, among which the oldest one is estimated to be 680 years old. And the total amount of the wild peach trees is 3 million.
They grow in groups forming a dreamlike garden in the valley, or individually decorate the local households. When it is the heyday of the florescence, Nyingchi turns into a romantic pink world, attracting tourists that adore flowers.
To celebrate the most beautiful spring, Nyingchi Peach Blossom Festival, is normally held at the end of March.
Best Times: March, April
Best Spots：river shores along Nyang River or other streams of the Yarlung Tsangpo River; Suosong Village (will charge entrance fees); Gala Village, Bayi District; along the 32 kilometers long road from Bomi County seat to the Runa Village; Qingduo Town, Bomi County.
Gala Village in Spring
Alpine Azalea, Blue Poppy and Gentian Flowers in Nyingchi
If the pink peach blossom fairy were the one in charge of the spring garden of Nyingchi, the flower fairy who's on duty in summer must be alpine azalea. But she won't take the honor all by herself. The modest yet pretty blue poppy family shine their beautifulness humbly in the hidden parts of the mountains. The elegant noble-looking gentian flowers are also the precious ones in Nyingchi, which are also used an important Tibetan medicine.
Best Season to spot the alpine flowers in Nyingchi: spring and summer, more specifically May, June and July.
If you can't bear the feeling of having animal foods, please do not read on. Wandering around the pasture in Nyingchi, besides the cattle and sheep, you'll also discover a host of black or spotted pigs forging freely among other local livestock. They take the alpine plants as staple food, and drink the clean mountain water. Chicken are also not cage birds here but have their freedom. They make great yummy Tibetan dishes that are must-try in Nyingchi area, which are Tibetan flavored pork and Lulang Stone Pot Chicken. The former was a stir-fry dish which may remind you of Sichuan Cuisine. The latter is a soup made with authentic local chicken and other nutrient specialties such as a variety of mushrooms, together with multiple types of herbal Tibetan medicines.
As you are getting your taste bud satisfied, your body get refreshed by the warm and healthy dishes, and you may also find it easier to get acclimatized to the altitude.
Best Season: all year-round; but if you want to have a warm winter hideaway. Come and seek the consolation from the yummy food in winter.
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