Lhasa to see during winter
The local government and tourism organizations have launched a 'tourism loop' that provides the best the region has to offer in the cold season, report Yang Feiyue in Beijing and Palden Nyima in Lhasa.
Jomo Gangkar-Yangbajan
Lhasa's second-highest snowcapped peak, Jomo Gangkar, is visible from the Jomo Gangri scenic spot, 60 km from Nyemo county. The peak is more than 7,000 meters above sea level, and only a dozen meters lower than the city's highest mountain, Nyenchen Tanglha. An hour further on awaits the rich hot springs in Yangbajan county town, which are famous for their abundant geothermic heat. The place is best seen in the morning when palls of mist rise from the lake. Various springs offer views of the Nyenchen Tanglha Mountain, and all of them are believed to have medicinal benefits.
Ngare Wetland
The vast Ngare Wetland is around 80 km away from Yangbajan. It turns green every year in late April. Black-necked cranes make it their home and hatch their babies there.
Namtso Lake
Namtso Lake is one of the region's three biggest sacred lakes. It's 60 km from the county town, and most travelers in the region visit.
Many prefer to observe the lake during summer, where yak rides along the shores are popular.
As the region seeks to promote winter tourism by offering various discounts, visitors during the colder months will enjoy a frozen winter wonderland.
Lhundrub Radreng Forest Park
The Radreng Forest Park is in the northern part of Lhundrub county, and about 100 km from Damshung county town.
With an elevation of 4,200 meters, the park is famous for ancient juniper bushes. It is listed a cultural-relics preservation area by the regional government.
The most charming part of the site is the Redreng Monastery. Originally built in 1057 and hidden among the junipers, the monastery was founded by Dromtonba, the main Tibetan disciple and lineage holder of Atisha. It's now a monastery of Tibetan Buddhism's Geluk School.
Lhundrub Black-necked Crane Reserve
The distance between the Lhundrub Redreng Forest Park and the Lhundrub Black-necked Crane Reserve is about 130 km. The reserve is one of the region's best locations for observing migratory birds.
The best sites are located in the county's Changkar and Khatse townships.
With an elevation of 3,800 meters, the area is the center of the region's protection zone for black-necked cranes, an endangered species that is legally protected.
