Daguo Snow Mountain
Deep within the heart of the Tibetan Plateau, in Nyima County, Nagqu City, Tibet, stands the sacred Daguo Snow Mountain, a mountain that has borne witness to the millennia-old Bon religion. Belonging to the western section of the Nyainqêntanglha Mountains, its main peak reaches an altitude of 6,368 meters. Located approximately 100 kilometers from Nyima County, it forms a classic "sacred mountain and holy lake" landscape with the adjacent Dangra Yumco Lake, earning it the title of "the first sacred mountain of the Bon religion in northern Tibet." It is a quintessential natural and cultural wonder of the northern Tibetan Plateau.
The grandeur of Daguo Snow Mountain perfectly embodies the majestic nature of a plateau mountain range. Its main peak rises majestically, its summit perpetually covered in snow, gleaming with a sacred silver light under the sun, like a guardian deity of the snowy plateau. Surrounding the main peak are seven other snow-capped peaks exceeding 5,000 meters in altitude, forming the complete "Seven Peaks of Daguo" mountain system. These peaks vary in shape, some steep and precipitous, others gently rounded, spreading out in a harmonious and picturesque manner across the vast plateau. Vast glaciers dot the mountains, their meltwater meandering through the valleys, nourishing the grasslands and wetlands at their foot, infusing this vast land with vibrant life.
"Sacred Mountain Reflecting Holy Lake" is the most breathtaking view of Daguo Snow Mountain. Dangra Yumco Lake, at its foot, is one of the three holy lakes of Tibet, formed by snowmelt. Its clear, azure surface perfectly complements the snow-capped peaks of Daguo Snow Mountain. Standing on the lakeshore and gazing into the distance, the outlines of the snow-capped mountains are clearly reflected in the water. Blue sky, white clouds, snow-capped peaks, and lake water merge into one, creating a pure expanse of blue and white, like an unspoiled highland painting. In summer, the lakeside grasslands are lush and green, with wildflowers swaying in the breeze, and cattle and sheep scattered like pearls. In winter, the lake freezes over, the snow-capped mountains and the frozen lake reflecting each other, creating an even more sacred and solemn scene.
Religious heritage is the core soul of Daguo Snow Mountain. In the Bon religion, Mount Daguo is considered the foremost of the "Hundred Sacred Mountains of Bon," traditionally believed to be the place of practice for Shenrab Miwo, the founder of Bon, and embodies the prayers of believers for protection from calamities, blessings, and the continuation of life. Scattered throughout the mountain are ancient meditation caves, mani stones, and arrays of prayer flags. The colorful prayer flags flutter in the wind, contrasting beautifully with the snow-capped mountains and grasslands, creating a profound atmosphere of faith. Every year in the sixth month of the Tibetan calendar, believers from the surrounding areas, dressed in their finest attire, come to circumambulate the sacred mountain and lake, walking clockwise around the holy site, chanting prayers and offering khatas (ceremonial scarves) along the way. The solemn and devout scene perfectly embodies the Bon religion's cultural traditions.
Today, Mount Daguo retains its pristine beauty, far removed from the hustle and bustle of commercialization. Visitors can stroll along the lakeside trails, enjoying the magnificent scenery of the harmonious coexistence of the lake and mountains; or wait for the sunrise to witness the breathtaking moment when the sunlight gilds the snow-capped peaks. Here, there are no dense crowds, only the tranquility of snow-capped mountains, the clarity of lakes, and the devotion of faith, allowing every visitor to forget the hustle and bustle of the world and experience the profoundness of Bon culture and the sacredness of nature amidst the vastness and purity of the Tibetan Plateau.