Nagqu Travel Guide

Nagqu is located in Northern Tibet with Chamdo in the east, Lhasa in the south, Ngari in the west and Xinjiang, Qinghai provinces on the north. Occupying an area of 420,000 km², its 362,000 population is mainly composed of Tibetans. Its capital Nagqu Town has an altitude of 4500 meters, is one of Tibet's highest towns.
 

History

Nagqu, means “black river” in Tibetan, was where ancient Subi Tribe inhabited. It was the military supply and horses base of Tubo Kingdom during seventh century to ninth century. Since Tang and Song dynasties, the area became main transport hub to Tibet. In the 17th century, the Horse Racing Festival was established as a kind of nomad Expo. The northern route of ancient Tea Horse Road passes through Nagqu area.
 

Attractions

Mt. Nyainqentanglha considered as the sacred mountain in northern Tibet is snow-capped and venerated as the ashram of divinities. Lake Namtso, means “heavenly lake” in Tibetan, is one of the five most beautiful lakes in China and the highest salt lake in the world.

Damxung Caves with ancient murals give a window into the ancient culture of the region. Yangpachen has the best hot springs in the world and should be a must-see on every Nagqu traveler's list. Changtang Grassland dotted by mountains, crags and lakes is one of the most beautiful plateau pastures in the world. Every year in August, the Nagqu Horse Racing Festival held in the grassland attracts many visitors to enjoy the unique folk customs.
 

Transportation

Nagqu is the transport hub in north Tibet and a main stop on the Qinghai-Tibet Highway. The public buses and taxis in Nagqu have reasonable price.

Nagqu Railway Station is two kilometers from Nagqu County at Emadige Village. There are trains from Lhasa to Lanzhou, Xining, Chongqing, Chengdu and Beijing.

The bus station is at 25, Zhejiang Dong Lu in Nagqu Town. There are buses from Lhasa to Nagqu daily which take about four hours. Buses from Lhasa Beijiao Bus Station leave at 8am, 9:00am, 10am, 12:00am and 6:00pm and from Xijiao Bus Station leave every hour from 8:30 am to 2:30pm. Nagqu has many regular buses to Lhasa and Qinghai Province.
 

Weather and Climate

Located in the second frigid climatic zone, Nagqu has a cold, dry and windy weather. It is one of the coldest destinations in China with an annual average temperature of 1°C (34°F). Its windy season is from November to March characterized by coldness, lack of oxygen, dry and violent sandstorm. May to September is the golden season on the grassland with warm weather and rainfall in this season is over eighty percent of the whole year.
 

Food and Restaurants

Food and drink in Nagqu has strong Tibetan flavor which may not cater to Western tastes. Yak butter tea, tsamba, beef and mutton are typical local food. There are a couple of Chinese restaurants in Nagqu Town. For example, Chuan Wei Tsi Fu serves Sichuan food.

Amdo Tea House: sweet tea, yak butter tea and steamed buns.
Address: Zhejiang Lu, Nagqu Town

Xiaquka Tea House: serves mainly local food.
Address: Liaoning Lu, Nagqu Town
 

Shopping

Local products: dried beef and mutton, cashmere goods and rare medicinal herb. Shopping area gathers at Zhejiang Zhong Lu in Nagqu Town such as Qiangtang Market, Nagqu Market and People’s Mall.

Store of Nagqu Ethnic Products Exploration and Development Head Company
Address: No. 92 Gaoyuan Road, Nagqu Town
 

Nightlife and Entertainment

Nagqu has no bars or clubs. For the entertainment, visitors can enjoy performances during the Horse Racing Festival held in the first week of August each year. At nights, travelers see bonfires on the plateau with singing and dancing.
 

Accommodation

Nagqu has several clean and comfortable places to stay just off its main road Zhejiang Middle Road.

Recommended hotels in Nagqu
Nagqu Hotel
Address: No.23 Zhejiang Middle Road, Nagqu Town
Zhongqingtangla Hotel
Address: Middle section of Chaodan Road, Nagqu County
 

Travel Tips

1. Be careful about the High Altitude Sickness.
2. May to September is the best time to travel to Nagqu.
3. Make sure you have a Tibet Travel Permit or apply from a travel agency.
4. The post office is at No.149, Seni Xi Lu, Nagqu Town.
5. Respect the Tibet Taboos.
6. There is an Agricultural Bank of China in Nagqu with ATM.