2025 Sog County Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in July)

This time in Baqen County, Nagqu, I came to Yoxung Glacier, drawn by its reputation. It is one of the important glaciers on the southern slope of Mount Bugajia (6328 meters above sea level), the highest peak in eastern Tibet. Flowing down from the summit of Mount Bugajia, it forms a moraine lake that extends from an altitude of 6328 meters to around 4500 meters. In June, the ice on Yoxung Co has melted. The deep blue lake water looks incredibly surreal. On the small hillside in front of the lake, you can take beautiful aerial photos or "dry land onion pulling" videos. Here, we also met some local Tibetans, and they gave us some Lungta. You can scatter them into the sky and then film a video. We also shared our snacks with the Tibetan children, and they were very curious about the drone, so we took a photo together. ⚠️In front of Yoxung Glacier is a national wetland reserve, covering lakes, rivers, marsh meadows, and water source forests. You can find a green area along the river for camping and picnicking (there are no operating restaurants nearby), and taking photos there also feels particularly relaxing.

1. Zandan Monastery (Small Potala Palace) 1. Location and Introduction Zandan Monastery, also known as "Soxiu Ganden Peijinglin," is located in Yala Town, Suo County, Nagqu. The monastery is one of the earliest Gelug monasteries in northern Tibet, built in 1667. It is known as the "Small Potala Palace" because its architectural style is similar to that of the Potala Palace in Lhasa. 2. Visiting Information Zandan Monastery is built on a mountain and is divided into two parts: the Red Palace and the White Palace. The monastery houses a large number of Buddha statues, thangkas, murals, and other cultural relics, which have high artistic value. Visitors can experience the strong religious atmosphere and cultural heritage of northern Tibet here. 3. Surrounding Environment Due to the open terrain around Zandan Monastery, visitors can enjoy the magnificent natural scenery around. However, please note that due to the complex terrain around the monastery, you need to find a suitable viewing point if you want to take panoramic photos. 2. National Highway 317 National Highway 317 is an important highway in China, from Chengdu, Sichuan to Nagqu, Tibet. The scenery along the way is beautiful, with natural scenery and cultural landscapes complementing each other. On the way to Zandan Monastery in Suo County, you can enjoy the magnificent snow-capped mountains, grasslands, and the unique style of northern Tibet. 3. Precautions 1. Due to the high altitude, visitors need to pay attention to preventing altitude sickness and bring necessary medicines. 2. Respect local customs and religious beliefs, and do not touch cultural relics and Buddha statues in the monastery at will. 3. Pay attention to environmental protection and do not litter. I hope this travel guide can help you better plan your trip to Suo County. Have a nice trip!

Zandan Monastery is located in Yala Town, Suo County, Nagqu City, Tibet Autonomous Region. It was built in 1668 during the time of the Fifth Dalai Lama by Awang Losang Gyatso. It is a subordinate temple of Drepung Monastery in Lhasa and is the earliest Gelugpa monastery and the largest ancient Buddhist architectural complex in northern Tibet. The entire monastery is built along the mountain, with a magnificent and imposing structure. It is divided into two architectural groups, red and white, and from a distance, it resembles the Potala Palace, hence it is known as the 'Little Potala Palace.' The monastery is divided into two parts: the Red Palace and the White Palace. The Red Palace in the center is mainly used for worshiping Buddha and religious affairs, while the White Palace on both sides and at the back is the main living area for monks. The monastery houses a large number of Buddha statues, murals, Tibetan scriptures, and printed books, all of which have high cultural and artistic value. Among them is a Jampa Buddha statue about 6 meters high and numerous Thangkas. The history of Zandan Monastery can be traced back to the 17th century when the Fifth Dalai Lama, with the help of Mongolian Gushri Khan's forces, implemented a puritanical policy in eastern Tibet, destroying many Bon monasteries and forcing other sects' monasteries to convert to Gelugpa. Zandan Monastery was newly built on the confiscated properties of seven non-Gelugpa monasteries. Additionally, Yala Township on the west side of Yaladuo Mountain, where Zandan Monastery is located, is the hometown of King Gesar's consort. Legend has it that the monastery was originally intended to be built exactly like the Potala Palace, but some of the blueprints were lost on the way back, so it is not entirely the same as the Potala Palace. If you wish to visit Zandan Monastery, you can refer to the following information: - Address: Village 4, Yala Town, Suo County, Nagqu City, Tibet Autonomous Region - Transportation: From the county seat of Suo County, drive 1 kilometer along National Highway 317 towards Baqing to reach. - Ticket: Free - Opening hours: Open all year round - Suggested visiting time: 1-3 hours When visiting Zandan Monastery, please follow the monastery's rules and etiquette, and respect the local religious beliefs and cultural traditions. Also, since the monastery is located at a high altitude, it is recommended to take precautions against altitude sickness in advance.