Nagqu

Vast northern grasslands and the sacred Namtso Lake

Nagqu is Tibet's highest and most sparsely populated prefecture, a vast stretch of grassland on the Changtang plateau given over to nomadic yak and sheep herding rather than farming. Its best-known site, Namtso Lake, is one of Tibet's three holiest lakes and the highest large saltwater lake in the world. The prefecture averages around 4,500m, higher than any other in Tibet, and its open grassland supports a nomadic way of life that has changed little for centuries. Each August, the Nagqu Horse Racing Festival draws herding communities from across the region for racing, archery and traditional sport, a rare look at nomadic culture that few travellers see elsewhere on the plateau.

Curated Experiences

Journeys designed to show Nagqu at its best.

Popular Attractions

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Culture

People & Culture

Nagqu holds one of Tibet's most distinctive nomadic cultures, still centred on yak and sheep herding across the grasslands. The prefecture is best known beyond this for the annual Nagqu Horse Racing Festival each August, a major gathering of nomadic communities for horse racing, archery and traditional sport that draws visitors from across the plateau.

Nature

Nature & Wildlife

Nagqu is Tibet's highest and most sparsely populated prefecture, a vast stretch of northern grassland on the Changtang plateau averaging around 4,500m. Where central Tibet's valleys support farming, Nagqu is pastoral country, open grassland that supports Tibet's nomadic herding communities rather than settled agriculture.

Activities

Things to Do

Namtso Lake, one of Tibet's three holiest lakes and the highest large saltwater lake in the world, is Nagqu's principal draw, reached from Lhasa via the 5,190m Lagen La pass. Outside of Namtso and the August horse festival, Nagqu sees far fewer travellers than central Tibet, and infrastructure for independent sightseeing is limited.