Tibet: Nyingchi Prefecture - Cypress Park, Sejila Pass, Lulang Forest, Zhatanglucuo and Tashigang

By Cubie - May 24, 2025

Start: Long Du Hotel 龙都宾馆

1. Giant Cypress Nature Reserve 柏树王
2. Sejila Mountain Pass 色季拉山观景台
3. Lulang Forest 鲁朗林海
4. Zhatanglucuo Scenic Area 扎塘鲁措

End: Tashigang village 扎西岗村

The tour company couriered the original copy of our Tibet Travel Permit to the hotel in Chengdu as original copy is required if travel by flight to Tibet. We flew into Nyingchi Airport (LZY) from Chengdu Shuangliu Airport and were picked up by our driver and guide for the rest of the tour.

Nyingchi city

Nyingchi is one of the prefectures in Tibet and within Nyingchi, there are 7 counties. The airport is located in Mainling county and the stops are in Bayi District (formerly known as Nyingchi county). Checking in to hotels usually involved some long process of registration and as it was our first day in Tibet, the guide also organised other required permits at this day. We didn't had to but as we didn't plan any itinerary for day 1, we asked if we can followed them. It turned out to be a good decision because there was a change in the requirements and needed one of us to be present to have a photo taken.

We were told there's a river but we didn't expect to see such a high barrier

Giant Cypress Nature Reserve 柏树王

About 2 kilometres southest of Bayi is this cypress park with many ancient cypress trees. The most venerable cypress is reported to be 3200 years old, making it the oldest tree in China. This 57 metres tall and 14.8 metres diameter tree is also sacred to the Bon religion founder Tonpa Shenrab. This is a prime pilgrim spot and Buddhist visitors can be seen circumambulating this tree 3 times, clockwise. Bon believers (Bon po) circumambulate anti-clockwise.

Sejila Mountain Pass 色季拉山观景台

Mt Namjagbarwa or Mt Namcha Barwa is the highest mountain in Nyingchi Prefecture. A signboard at Sejila Pass viewing platform mentioned that "Namcha Barwa" means "spear firmly stood on the Earth" in Tibetan language and is composed of nine peaks. The main peak, "Namcha Barwa Peak" is at an elevation of about 7,782 metres.

One of the best known legends tells the story that Namcha Barwa and his younger brother, Gyala Peri were both guardians of Southeast Tibet sent by god. Out of jealousy, Namcha Barwa killed and beheaded his younger brother who was more talented. As punishment, Namcha Barwa was turned into a guarding mountain of his brother while the latter prolonged his existence as Mt Gyala Peri, a rounded-peaked mountain north of Mt Namcha Barwa.

Mt Namcha Barwa can be seen from Sejila Mountain Pass (elevation 4728 metres) with a lot of luck, as the peak of Mt Namcha Barwa is covered with snow and often covered with fog and clouds. Therefore it is also known as the "Fairy Mountain". The optimal time to see Namcha Barwa peak is from end of October to March the following year.

Lulang Forest 鲁朗林海

Lulang (or I've also seen it spelt as Lunang) is another spot to see Namche Barwa peak which we were not lucky enough to view it. Lulang means “Loong King Valley” in the Tibetan language, or “a place that will make you forget your homesickness”.

Stone pot chicken 石锅鸡

Lunch was a popular dish in Lulang area is the stone pot chicken. The ingredients of course include chicken (a lot of it) in soup. There are options to add different types of mushrooms. The selling point of this dish is the pot it is cooked in, where it is carved out from a single rock that said to contains elements which is good for health.

Zhatanglucuo Scenic Area 扎塘鲁措

Zhatanglucuo is a man made lake, built to improve surrounding environment. It is referred to as Lulang Lake by the locals. Access to the area is through a hanging bridge and there were some activities area for participation. One can enjoy the view of Gongbulazan Snow Mountain at the lake.

Tashigang village 扎西岗村

Tashigang is a small village, a couple of kilometres east of Lulang. Guesthouses in this village are run by Tibetan families, mostly with a buidling with rooms within the same compound. The village is comprised of walled stone Tibetan block homes, with landscape of forested mountains across the valley. I took a stroll in the evening when sis took a nap in the room. We brought some quick oats and had that for dinner after the big stone pot chicken lunch.