Rongpo Glacier [Rikaze]

"One of Top Six Most Beautiful Show Caves in China"
Ranked by China National Geoegraphy Magazin

Rongpo Glacier in Tingri County, Shigatse Area of Tibet Autonomous Region: Bidding farewell to the highest peak

Rongpo Glacier is located in a wide, open area at the foot of Qomolangma (Mount Everest), extending between 5,300 and 6,300 meters above sea level. Consisting of two big glaciers, the Western Rongpo and Central Rongpo, it has a total length of 22.4 kilometers and covers a total area of 85.4 square kilometers. The largest glacier in the Qomolangma Nature Reserve, it is also the most completely developed and best preserved form of valley glacier in world. The Rongpo Glacier is one of the most magnificent sights in Tibet. Its ice lobe has an average width of 1.4 kilometers and an average depth of 120 meters, reaching over 300 meters deep at certain points. Looking southward from the glacier, Qomolangma appears as a gigantic pyramid standing above all the other mountains, while the two branches of the Rongpo Glacier look like a huge tree, holding the peak on its top. The Rongpo Glacier has many bowl-shaped cirques and hanging glaciers. It boasts a great number of glacial lakes, ice cliffs ice caves and crevasses, presenting marvelous and unique sights. Mountaineers have called it the world’s largest 'alpine park.' The action of three natural elements on the northern side of the Qomolangma, namely low latitude, arid climate and high elevation, have helped cteate the world wonder of the high altitude continertal Rongpo Glacier and its serac ice forest. According to glaciologists, the serac ice forests of the Qomolangma and Gasherbrum areas are the most magnificent in the world.

The Himalayas act as a natural screen, blocking the northward movement of southwesterly monsoon air currents and making the north side of the range and the Tibetan Plateau dry, with little precipitation. The Rongpo Glacier has the physical properties of a sub-continental type glacier. It neither grows much nor retreats much, being more stable than the marine glaciers on Himalayas’ southern slopes, and is ideal for mountaineering tourism.

Starting 30 kilometers (20 miles) south from New Tinggri, one will reach a checkpoint. 11 kilometers (7 miles) west of the checkpoint, a new road and an old one turn off south to Everest Base Camp. A 78-kilometer (48-mile) trek leads to Rongbuk Monastery, which is the highest monastery on the earth. Its altitude is 5,100 meters (16728 feet). The monastery was founded in 1899, as a Nyingmapa monastery, it was said that once Padmasambhava, founder of Nyingmapa, preceded his religious cultivation here. The monastery, having 8 sub-monasteries including a nunnery, was destroyed in the Cultural Revolution, is gradually being restored. It houses Lamas and nuns in the same monastery. Sakyamuni and Padmasambhava are enshrined in the small temple. Pilgrims trek a long way to pay votive offerings or see lamas playing operas during big Buddhist days.

Best time to go
From the last ten day of April to the first ten day of June
The middle day of September to the first ten day of October
The rainy is centered from the first ten day of June to The middle day of September.
The yearly temperature is about from -40F to 122F, the coldest even get to -76F.

Ticket
Rongbuk Monastery: RMB 10/person

Around Landscape
Tashilhungpo Monastery, Sera Monastery, Sakya Monastery, Shalu Monastery, Rongpu Monastery,Palha Manor, Dzong fortress, Palkhor Monastery, Tashilhunpo Monastery, The Kelsang Temple, Xalhu Monastery.

Local Snacks and Specialties
Songba Shoes, Jiangzi Zhongsi, Tibetan Knife, Jade article, Wood-bowl, Bamboo-vessel, etc.

Travel Tips
Much more cost! Much more danger and difficulty! Much more challenge!
No accommodation on your way so please takes the tent or sleeping bag.
Be sure to respect local ethical customs and traditions.
People who get hypertension, heart disease and tracheitis must stop to go.
From July to October, booking hotel in advance is necessary.
Please take sunbonnet, sunglass, and suntan oil in summer.

Distance
Beijing (4064 km) Lhasa (273 km 6 hours by jeep) Shigatse Region (145 km) Lhatse County (102 km)Tingri County (108 km) Rongbuk Monastery