# Nagqu travel guide (那曲) Tibet Autonomous Region · Southwest, China · 6 places Canonical: https://cnatrip.com/en/destinations/tibet/nagqu ## The feel of the place - **Cordyceps:** The annual Cordyceps trading festival features a “Cordyceps King” competition. Nagqu Cordyceps, prized for its medicinal value and large size, has won the championship for several consecutive years. - **Flavours of Nature:** Nagqu's vast, rolling grasslands are a paradise for wild animals and plants. Take a deep breath and the air is filled with natural, pure scents: the freshness of green grass, mixed with the wild scent of animals. ## The feel of the place ### Travel Tips 1. Do not speak loudly in Tibetan homes or inside temples. 2. Before taking photos, check whether photography is allowed at the location. Some local elders do not like being photographed. 3. Water is inconvenient in Nagqu and supplies are rationed, so use water sparingly. ### Cultural Highlights 1. Ethnic groups: Seni District is mainly Tibetan, but Han, Hui, Mongolian, Monpa, Lhoba and other ethnic groups also live here. 2. Festivals: The Nagqu Horse Racing Festival is held every year on August 1 (Gregorian calendar) and lasts 5 to 10 days. ### Preparation and Information ### Language Most people here do not speak Chinese, except those who work in business. ### Climate and Best Time to Visit May to September is relatively warm and is the golden season for the grasslands. The weather is mild, with gentle winds and sunshine, and rainfall accounts for 80% of the annual total. The grasslands turn green and everything flourishes, making this the best time to visit. ## Getting there & around ### Getting In and Out ### Rail Nagqu Railway Station (那曲火车站) is about 2 km west of downtown Nagqu, in Emadige Village, Mendi Township, right beside the Qinghai-Tibet Highway. Trains currently serving Nagqu include the Z21 to Beijing, Z322 to Chengdu, Z223 to Chongqing, and Z323, Z917 and Z165 to Lanzhou. All of these trains stop at Nagqu. ### Highway Various shuttles run between Nagqu and Lhasa, including Santana cars, Jinbei vans and minibuses. Fares range from ¥60 to ¥100, and vehicles depart at any time from morning until afternoon every day. ### Getting Around Town Town has taxis and buses, as well as minibuses that shuttle between districts (¥2). Just flag one down. Vehicles to Lhasa and Golmud leave at any time. There are also services to the nearby county towns of Bangor, Suo County and Qamdo, but these do not run daily. Some depart only after several days, or even a week. ## Eat & drink Shaped by the high-altitude environment, Nagqu's cuisine is typically Tibetan. Meat dishes are mainly beef, mutton and pork, while vegetables, butter and cheese make up the non-meat staples. Common drinks include yogurt, fresh milk, milk tea and butter tea. - **Jinhada Tibetan Restaurant** — A restaurant with distinctive Tibetan character. (West side of Kangyuan Hotel, Gaoyuan West Road, 15501017442) ## Shopping Shopping in Nagqu is concentrated on Zhejiang Middle Road and Gaoyuan Road. Key places include Nagqu Market, Qiangtang Market, People's Department Store on Zhejiang Middle Road, and the Nagqu Agricultural and Livestock Products Market on Gaoyuan Road. Shops on these two streets are fairly concentrated, and the goods have plenty of local character. Caterpillar fungus, musk, snow lotus and fritillary bulb are all local specialties of Nagqu. ### Local Specialties Most of these specialties are quite expensive, and unless you are an expert, it is hard to tell good quality from poor. Be very careful when buying. ## Where to stay Accommodation falls into three types: hotels, guesthouses and Tibetan tents. The first two are relatively comfortable. Tibetan tents are simple but offer the advantage of low prices. - **Nagqu Scala Hotel** — (No. 1, Tongzhan Road, Seni District, 0896-3333331) ## Things to see - **Nyainqentanglha Mountains** (★★★★★): Admission Free; Opening hours Open all day (all year 2026); Time needed 0.5–1 day — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/nyainqentanglha-mountains - **Changtang Grassland** (★★★★): Admission Free; Opening hours Open all day (all year 2026); Time needed 4 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/changtang-grassland - **Zhuoma Canyon** (★★★): Opening hours All year 2026, 08:00-20:00; Time needed 1 hour — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/zhuoma-canyon - **Mount Sapu** (★★★★): Admission ¥150; Opening hours All year 2026, 07:00-21:00; Time needed 1–2 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/mount-sapu - **Cona Lake** (★★★): Admission Free; Opening hours Open all day (all year 2026); Time needed 1 hour — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/cona-lake - **Siling Co** (★★★): Admission Free; Opening hours Open all day (all year 2026); Time needed 1 hour — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/siling-co --- Source: China Self-Guided Travel 2025 (《中国自助游》, Tianjin Science & Technology Press, Aug 2024), pp. 621–627. Prices, hours and transport details are as printed in the August 2024 edition and may have changed. Always confirm with the venue before you travel.