Other Things Around Mount Kailash: What You Must Not Miss

Manasarovar feels calm, sacred, whereas Rakshas Tal feels sharp and dark. Mount Kailash is called the world’s crown jewel. When you plan to visit Kailash, you just think of it as a postcard view because you have seen that picture. But when you reach Kailash, you will find there are many more things around Mount Kailash that you should not miss.

There are places that are more beautiful, more shocking, and more realistic, and you would not like to miss them, so click some photos. Mount Kailash, the most mysterious mountain itself, is once again surrounded by surprising things. Mount Kailash lies in the Gangdise Shan in the Trans-Himalayan range. There are other mountains such as Gurla Mandhata, Om Parvat, and the associated peaks of the Panch Kailash.

The Pancha Kailash is a group of five mountains, including Adi Kailash, Kinnaur Kailash, Manimahesh Kailash, Shrikhand Mahadev, and Mount Kailash. All five Kailash are considered sacred and are associated with Lord Shiva. These peaks are also important to pilgrims of other religions, such as Buddhism, Jainism, and Bon traditions.

In this blog, we will explore the surrounding area of Mount Kailash and learn about various hidden places that are often overlooked. Let’s find out what the places actually feel like in the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Tour in 2026. And find out the most misunderstood truth about Mount Kailash and the Ngari region.

Other Things Around Mount Kailash

You may not always have the perfect view of Mount Kailash. The weather is the most unpredictable thing in the mountains. The perfect view of the peak might be hidden under the fog for days sometimes. If you are here just to see the perfect view of Mount Kailash, then you might get disappointed sometimes. That is why you need to know what other things around Mount Kailash to visit and enjoy the views.

Imagine Tibet as a theater with multiple plays on show. Lakes, passes, monasteries, teahouses, rivers, and many more to witness. The Kailash is a frame for analyzing the matching of your expectations and realities.

Pilgrims and trekkers with mixed fitness levels can participate in the Kailash Kora. The journey will be fruitful and spiritual, permitted by health and weather. Walking at high altitude require a mix of physical stamina and acclimatization to stay healthy during the journey.

Where to Start From?

Is the first thing to watch, except the mountain, it is the lake. I mean the lakes. Lake Mansarovar and Rakshas Tal are the most prominent lakes to watch in the Kailash yatra. Apart from these two, there are Parvati Kunda and Bhairav Kunda.

Lake Mansarovar

Lake Mansarovar is considered the most sacred lake in Tibet. The wide, almost circular lake is the most visited and most talked about lake. Pilgrims often stop by the lake to take a bath and cleanse themselves before heading to Mount Kailash.  Hindus and Jains generally perform simple rituals and puja around the shore of Mansarovar. Pilgrims often stroll around the lake to enjoy its beauty.

Rakshas Tal

Another lake near Lake Mansarovar is the Rakshas Tal. This dark lake, often called the twin lake of Mansarovar, feels like a different world. Though the two lakes are sitting side by side, the energy and reflection from them feel different.  Both lakes are connected through some legends and myths. One is in its purest form, and the other is tied to darker mythology. One supports life, and the other has no signs of life-supporting elements.

Chiu Gompa: The Monastery above Mansarovar

Right above Lake Mansarovar, on the top of a small hill, there lies the Chiu Monastery. This monastery, linked with the great Rinpoche Padmasambhava, is called the bird monastery of Tibet. This monastery is popular for the astonishing view of Lake Mansarovar, especially at night. Permitted by the weather, the clear view of the mountain is also seen from here.

The Kailash Circuit Kora

The 52 km kora circuit is the most awaited journey in Kailash. The Mount Kailash parikrama is not a particular spot but the overall experience of walking the mountain for three days.  Accommodation in the Diraphuk and Zutulpuk areas makes the journey more adventurous.

Yama Dwar

The real Kailash Kora starts from Yamadwar, near Darchen. It is about 15 km away from Darchen at a height of around 4,724 m. Yama is the god of death. The beautiful red dome-shaped structure is considered the gateway of the God of Death. The prayer flags around make the place special to visit and take snaps.

Ashtapad

Ashtapad is the most spiritual place for followers of Jainism. It is linked with the first Jain Tirthankara, Rishabhdev. Legends say he attained nirvana in this place. This place is also a part of Inner Kora, which is forbidden for now.

Charan Sparsh (Touching Feet of Mount Kailash)

Charan Sparsh basically means touching the feet of Mount Kailash.  People are fascinated with touching the rocks and snow from Kailash, which is actually an approach to get as close to Mount Kailash as possible. This is possible during the inner kora.

Most importantly, it is not open to everyone. The inner kora is open only for highly experienced trekkers who have attempted the outer kora several times. 

Dolma La Pass

Dolma La Pass is the hardest point during the Kailash Kora trek. On the second day of the kora, this highest point is crossed. At a height of 5650m above sea level, the weather is very stable. Sudden wind, snowfall, and thin air are the challenges in the Dolma La Pass. 

Gauri Kund

The small, beautiful, green-shaded lake is the Gauri Kund, seen from the Dolma La pass. This pond is often associated with Mata Parvati and Lord Ganesh, legends from the Shiva Purana. Hence, it is also called Parvati Sarovar.

Shivasthal

On the second day, Dolma La Pass, Shivasthal, is passed. This place is filled with a huge number of prayer flags tied with beliefs associated with good karma and the afterlife.

Tarboche

Tarboche is known for the famous flagpole with colorful prayer flags. The area is highly crowded during Saga Dawa.

Nandi Parvat

Opposite to Mount Kailash, Nandi is among other things around Mount Kailash, not to be missed. Nandi Parvat is a shorter hill often compared to Nandi, the bull of lord Shiva. It is circumambulated during the inner kora.

Saptarishi Caves

As a part of the inner kora, reaching the Saptarishi caves is one of the most difficult tasks. Lying on the high elevation, on a near-vertical climb. Extremely challenging, on a very high elevation, over a nearly vertical climb, this is another spiritual spot to be visited by Bons and Buddhists.  But the Chinese government has officially banned inner parikrama since 2013.

Spiritual Excursion

There are other things around Mount Kailash; some are popular, and some remain hidden. These places give a direct touch of spirituality.

These places feel distant now, but when you reach these places, you feel that Kailash is not only standing there alone in a different world. These places, lying on the opposite side of the border from Nepal, need special permits and a visa. These papers could be an administrative blockade, but they cannot block the feeling you have towards these places.

What you actually see around Mount Kailash is never a single moment. 

The twin lakes of Tibet, Mansarovar and Rakshas Tal, quite opposite forces and nature lie like the yin-yang, balancing the forces in nature.  Religious and culturally rich places like monasteries and Astapad, as well as Mount Kailash itself is important for believers of Buddhists, Bons, and Hindus. 

Chiu monastery has witnessed millions of visitors passing through the Mansarovar; Yam Dwar stands there as the gateway to the kingdom of Death.  Tarboche, Shivasthal, and Dolma La Pass, filled with the praying flags, make you take some snaps. Just below, waiting, is the Gauri Kund, make you forget the pain of climbing the Dolma La Pass.

Your Kailash Mansarovar Yatra 2026 is going to be a journey to spirituality. Awesome Holidays Nepal can help structure the Kailash Mansarovar journey so the sacred feels safer, and the scenery sinks in slowly, the way it should.