Kyirong - The Valley of Happiness

Kyirong is the first big Tibetan town that the pilgrims find themselves in after they cross the Rasuwagadhi border. With its relatively warm climate, luxurious valley landscape, and variety of facilities like good accommodations, eating places, and hospitals, this town offers a soft and significant transition to the Tibetan plateau.

Pilgrims frequently stop for one or two days to adjust to the increasing altitude and enjoy the beauty of the first town in the Kailash Mansarovar area. For pilgrims heading for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra by Drive from Nepal, Kyirong is the place where the Tibetan part of the yatra really begins.

Thanks to its key position, Kyirong has become the primary access point for all road-touring and pilgrimage groups coming into Tibet for the Kailash Yatra.

Pilgrims and adventurers planning to visit Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar by drive through Nepal will first arrive at Kyirong, the first town after the Rasuwagadhi border checkpoint.

The whole journey usually starts from Kathmandu, following the Trishuli Highway via Dhunche, Syabrubesi, and Timure to the Nepal-Tibet border for immigration procedures to be carried out.

The immigration formalities may take anywhere from 2 to 3 hours depending upon the crowd. 

After completing the immigration on both the Nepal and Tibet sides, a beautiful drive of 40 KM on a comfortable coach bus through the valley takes you to the town of Kyirong.

Kyirong, as a border town at an altitude of 2850 m, is the peaceful entrance to the spiritual heartland of Tibet. Offering a combination of its mild altitude, green valley scenery, and friendly Tibetan vibe, it makes for an easy and uplifting beginning for the pilgrims who are ready to advance their holy journey to Mount Kailash.

Kyirong as a place of accommodation is ideal for those who are making their way to Mt. Kailash. The town has a number of basic to luxury hotels run by the locals, which offer clean rooms, warm bedding, private bathrooms, hot showers, and authentic Tibetan cuisine that will make your taste buds happy.

Although there are not many luxury hotels, the majority of the lodgings provide the required comfort for the overland groups and become the ideal place for rest and altitude acclimatization before the journey to Saga and beyond. Besides, the days spent in Kyirong help the travelers to calmly and comfortably get ready for the next sacred route.

Although Kyirong is mainly recognized as the gateway for Kailash yatris, it still lets you have an experience of calmness and nature before moving on with your yatra. Nicknamed ‘The valley of happiness’, this place provides visitors with beautiful riverside walks, forest trails, and mountain viewpoints. 

Kyirong is also a place for acclimatization, which is an important aspect of any high altitude journey. Pilgrims heading for the Kailash yatra normally stay here for at least 2 days to let their body register the altitude and not get sick when proceeding further.

In case you are wondering what you can do in 2 full days in Kyirong, then, exploring the town’s local markets, trying the local food, and learning about the Tibetan lifestyle would be fun activities for you to try. Along with that, there are small monasteries and temples you can try visiting; these places uncover the secrets of Tibetan Buddhism, creating a spiritual atmosphere that encourages you for the upcoming journey.