The Mysterious Land of Purang

‌Purang County, located in the southern part of the Ngari Prefecture in Tibet, sits at an altitude of 3,900 meters in a valley on the southern side of the Himalayas. Surrounded by snow-capped mountains, the county boasts a unique topography and is one of the lower-altitude counties in Ngari. Purang is strategically situated in the Peacock River Valley between Mount Naimona'nyi and Gurla Mandhata, bordering Nepal and India.‌ 🧳Preparation Before You Go:‌ *Documents and Cash‌:* ID card, border defense permit, cash (some places may require cash payment, generally accepting banknotes). *Medicine‌:* Rhodiola (for altitude sickness prevention), cold medicine, ibuprofen/acetaminophen (for headaches), glucose (for energy), motion sickness medicine/digestive medicine (for diarrhea and constipation), oxygen (available locally, but it is recommended to bring a small oxygen tank or sufficient oxygen cards). *Clothing‌:* Jacket, hoodie, warm clothes, sneakers, hiking boots, slippers, hat, scarf, sunglasses, and a change of underwear. *Daily Necessities‌:* Umbrella, thermos, skincare products, sunscreen. 🚉Transportation Guide:‌ There are several ways to get from Lhasa to Purang in Ngari: *Airplane‌:* Fly from Lhasa to Ngari Gunsa Airport. The flight takes about 2 hours, but tickets are expensive, usually over CNY 2,600. Due to the high altitude, altitude sickness may occur. *Bus‌:* Direct buses to Ngari depart from the Lhasa North Suburban Passenger Station every other day. The journey requires an overnight stay, with a one-way ticket costing CNY 602. The trip takes approximately 24 hours and covers a total distance of 1263.7 km to reach Purang. *Self-drive‌:* Self-drive routes are divided into south and north lines, and road conditions are poor. Self-driving requires adequate preparation and high-altitude driving experience. *Carpool or Chartered Car‌:* Carpooling takes about 24 hours, with an overnight stop, and costs between CNY 650-700. This method is relatively comfortable and flexible. *Specific Route Information‌:* *Airplane‌:* Fly directly from Lhasa to Ngari Gunsa Airport, then transfer to a bus or private car to Purang. *Bus‌:* Depart from Lhasa North Suburban Passenger Station, passing through Shigatse, Lhatse, Saga, Zhongba, Darchen, Zanda, and finally arriving in Purang. *Self-drive‌:* The south line starts from Lhasa, passing through Shigatse, Lhatse, Saga, Zhongba, Darchen, Zanda, and finally arriving in Purang. The north line passes through Baingoin, Nyima, Rutog, and Gerze. *Carpool or Chartered Car‌:* Depart from Lhasa, passing through Shigatse, Saga, Zhongba, and finally arriving in Purang.