Darchen
The small town at the foot of Mount Kailash where every kora begins and ends.
Darchen lies on the plain south of Mount Kailash at about 4,600 metres, and is the starting and finishing point of the kora, the pilgrim circuit around the mountain. Guesthouses, small restaurants and the office where kora permits are checked line its main street.
For almost 300 years Darchen was held as an exclave of Bhutan, until 1959. Today pilgrims from India, Nepal and across Tibet gather here before setting out, and travellers who do not walk the kora can wait here while others complete it.
Highlights
Start and finish of the Kailash kora
Views north to Mount Kailash
Porters and horses are hired here
Trips that visit Darchen
Practical Info
Address
Darchen, Burang County, Ngari, Tibet Autonomous Region
In This Destination
Ngari
Far-western high desert, home to Mount Kailash
On the itinerary