Ngari

If an abstract belief should have a piece of real land as its hometown, Ngari would be the most appropriate place. The quiet and open country, the blue sky, the snow-clad high mountains make up an ideal spot for the distillation of sovereign sentiments of the mankind. In fact, since the ancient times, Ngari has been reputed as the "center of the world" where Buddha lives by millions of believers of Hinduism, Jainism, Tibetan Bongboism and Buddhism.

Ngari is situated in the west of the Tibet Autonomous Region, bordering India, Nepal, and Kashmir. Averaging 4500 meters above sea level, it totals some 300000 square kilometers with 60,000 people scattered in seven countries, an area with the least density of population in the world. It is at Ngari that the Himalayas, Gangdise Range and Kunlun Mountain of the Karakorum Mountains meet and some well-known rivers in the world originate. So, Ngari is also known as the origin of mountains and source of rivers. Ice and snow, rocks and lakes are the geological features of Ngari.

The land is as mysterious as beliefs. Following the pilgrims' steps to pay homage to the "mountain of belief" Mt Kangrinboqe and "mother of world's rivers" Lake Mapam Yumco, you will get inspirations by gods of mountains and waters from the sutra chanting in the temples even if you are an atheist. In front of the ruins of Guge Kingdom, you will mediate on the past marveling at the accomplishments and art creation by the predecessors, even if you are not a historian. Seeing thousands of birds fly freely at Banggong Co Lake and the Island of Birds, you will feel the beauty of nature even if you are not a naturalist. Listening to the songs and legends of the herdsmen over a cup of butter tea in the tent or dancing untrammeled in the unconstrained melody, you can't help admiring the primitive simplicity of the folk customs even if you are not a folklorist. Behind the mysteries of history, culture and religion, there hides an even more profound mystery of nature. Behind all gods, there is the even greater god of nature. Here people will get to have a better understanding why nature and environment have become a modern belief in the world today.

Ngari is the destination of brave people for the hardship on the journey, a dreamland of tourists for the beautiful landscape of mountains and lakes, pursuit of scholars for the abundant culture relics and the extreme of pilgrims for the existence of gods here