Mount Kailash: A sacred mountain and lake on the roof of the world
On the vast plateau of Purang County in Ngari Prefecture, Tibet, Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar form a breathtakingly beautiful and secluded realm, a "sacred mountain and holy lake." This is the roof of the world's roof, recognized as the "center of the world" by Bon, Tibetan Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism, carrying millennia of faith and natural wonder, and serving as a pilgrimage site for countless believers and travelers.
Mount Kailash, at 6,656 meters, has a pyramidal shape, its snow-capped peak gleaming in the sunlight. This majestic "mountain of the gods," with its symmetrical slopes, resembles a natural stupa, and its unique topography makes it a sacred mountain revered by multiple religions. Legend has it that circumambulating the mountain once can cleanse one's sins, and circumambulating it in the Tibetan Horse Year brings twelve times the merit. Every summer and autumn, believers trek along the 54-kilometer circumambulation route, prostrating themselves, chanting prayers, and measuring their faith with their footsteps.
Lake Manasarovar, located on the south side of the mountain, sits at an altitude of 4,588 meters. With a surface area of 412 square kilometers, it boasts the highest transparency of any freshwater lake in China, with visibility reaching up to 14 meters. Its Tibetan name means "Eternal and Undefeated Turquoise Lake." Fed by glacial meltwater and springs, its clear, turquoise waters shimmer with an emerald hue under the light. Four bathing gates, including the Lotus Bathing Gate and the Sweet Bathing Gate, are situated along the lakeshore. Believers believe the holy water can cleanse the "five poisons" of the soul, and many make special trips to bathe and purify themselves here. Eight temples are scattered around the lake, among which Jiwu Temple is known as the "Little Potala Palace," while Chugu Temple offers a superb vantage point for viewing the sacred mountain and lake together.
The ecology of this hidden paradise is equally precious. The surrounding area is covered in needlegrass grasslands, home to rare animals such as wild yaks, Tibetan antelopes, and black-necked cranes. The lake itself is home to unique fish species, including the Tibetan naked-tailed fish, forming a complete highland ecosystem. In 2017, Lake Manasarovar was upgraded to a national wetland nature reserve, becoming an important biodiversity conservation area. Just across the road from Lake Manasarovar lies Lake Rakshastal (the "Ghost Lake"), its waters salty yet breathtakingly beautiful, creating a striking contrast with the sacred lake.
Today, the area is on the World Heritage Tentative List, and after the mountain opens in late April each year, it welcomes pilgrims and tourists. Whether hiking the 90-kilometer circumambulation route around the lake or gazing at the magnificent view of the sacred mountain and lake reflected in the water from the viewing platform, one can feel the grandeur of nature and the power of faith. Here, there is no hustle and bustle, only the sounds of the wind, chanting, and inner peace, allowing every visitor to understand the true meaning of harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature in the crystal-clear highland air.