Nyingchi has snowy mountains, blue lakes, villages, ancient monasteries, and so on.

The Namjagbarwa Scenic Zone - A World Wonder

In Tibetan, Namjagbarwa means a "long lance piercing into the sky." The sky-scraping Namjagbarwa Peak, with its majestic appearance, precipitous shape and unpredictable climate, has been an ambitious aim of mountain-climbing organizations from various countries, and was only conquered recently by a Sino-Japanese climbing team in 1992. The Yarlung Zangbo Great Canyon, located in Medog County, is the greatest canyon ever found on earth. The mountain and canyon form the Namjagbarwa Scenic Zone, which has high tourist value, and which is an ideal place for tourism, mountain-climbing, exploring, drifting on the rivers, and making geoscientific and biological investigations.

The Basum Lake Scenic Zone

Located about 90 kilometers west of Gongbo'gyamda County, the Basum Lake is an alpine lake at the middle and upper reaches of the Ba River, which is the largest tributary of the Nyang River. The lake surface is on average about 3,538 meters above sea level. The lake covers an area of 25.9 square kilometers. The deepest part is about 60 meters from the surface. The blue, limpid lake water and the verdant mountain around the lake combine into a charming scene that can be compared with those in Switzerland. In summer and autumn, when flowers bloom and the air is filled with their fragrance, bees and butterflies are seen shuttling and fluttering among them. Bears, leopards, goats, musk deer, Tibetan snow roosters and other wild animals look for food and sport in the forest. An islet in the center of the lake is an enormous "sheep-back stone" left by glaciation eons ago. Following the direction of the glacier's movement, one can discern distinct traces. On the islet stands a monastery of the Yellow Sect, which was built in the 17th century. Going upstream from the Basum Lake to the source of the mainstream and the tributaries, one can see large mountain glaciers. With abundant snow, the long tongues of the lakes often stretch into the lush and green forest, the white snow shining through green trees. The bank of the lake is dotted with small villas of unique shapes, making a beautiful and comfortable holiday village. In 1997, the Basum Lake was listed by the World Tourist Organization as one of the world's best tourist spots.

The Nangpo Gully Scenic Zone

The Nangpo Gully, located about 50 kilometers northwest from Gongbo'gyamda County, is one of the northern tributaries of the Nyang River. Its upper stream is formed by the confluence of Yangwo, Gyixing and Boru gullies. At Boru Gully's source is the Karst Cave. At about 4,200 meters above sea level are three sites of hot springs, which are, from above to below, the Nun's Hot Springs, the Lama's Hot Springs and the Boru Hot Springs. They are natural baths with comfortable water temperatures. Near the hot springs are many old pine trees and cypresses, which combine with the cave and stream into a poetic and picturesque scene. The Yangwo Gully northwest of Nangpo Village is known for its jagged rocks. At the foot of the mountain is the Bagar Monastery, which was built during the period of the fifth Dalai Lama. It belongs to the Yellow Sect of the Tibetan Buddhism. In the natural cave above the monastery are murals of holy animals and Buddhist images. There are also caves within the cave and an overhead walkway. Below the monastery is the Karst Intermittent Spring, which spurts water 6 times a day all year. In autumn, when the leaves have fallen, the bushes by the gully below the monastery show jade-red bear branches, forming a "Red Cloud Gully" of 5 kilometers. The cobbles in the bed of the stream look like scattered pearls, so this place is also called "Pearl Shoal." The scenes here are unique and beautiful.

The Yarlung Zangbo Scenic Zone

The section of the Yarlung Zangbo River from the Pailung Village to the Pai Village of Mainling County is about 120 kilometers. Along the river, the vast, plain valley, skyscraping mountains and luxuriant primitive forest, the Dominating Namjagbarwa Mountain and the river islet covered with verdant trees form a lushly colored landscape painting. The orchards by the river emit an appealing fragrance of flowers and fruits. The wild landscapes flanking the river, the famous Great Turn of the Yarlung Zangbo River and the precipitant waterfall formed by thawed snow present charms of Nature.

The Bayi Town Scenic Spot

The Bayi Town, located 406 kilometers east of Lhasa, is the seat of the administrative office of Nyingchi. Around the town are many sites of interest. Among the most famous are the "Waterfall in Summer and Ice in Winter," "Rijimuco Lake," and "Bayi Forest of Great Cypresses." The most impressive is the forest of Tibetan cypresses of about 10 hectares at the Bagyai Village in Nyingchi County at 3,040 meters above sea level. The average height of these cypresses is 30 meters, about one meter wide, with a canopy density of 50 percent. The largest, called "the greatest cypress in China," is over 50 meters tall, 5.8 meters wide and about 2,500 years old. In the Bamna Village stands an old mulberry tree of over 1,600 years old. Being 7.04 meters high and over 13 meters wide, it is called the "King of Mulberries."

The Burqug Lamaling Scenic Spot

The Burqug Lamaling Monastery of the Red Sect, located on the third terrace on the left bank of the lower reaches of the Nyang River, is surrounded by mountains on three sides and faces the delta at the mouth of the Nyang River. The monastery was built with wood, with curving eaves and brilliantly painted beams, combining the different artistic styles of the Han and Tibetan peoples. The monastery has a quiet ambiance, with luxuriant green trees and a limpid stream. From here, one can admire the forest-covered mountains and glistening Nyang Delta.

The Seche La Mountain Scenic Spot

Located to the east of Nyingchi County, the Seche La Mountain is a part of the Nyainqentanglha Mountain Range, the watershed of the Nyang River and the Polung Zangbo River. The Sichuan-Tibetan Highway passes by. Standing at the mountain pass at 4,728 meters above sea level, one can admire the sunrise, sea of cloud, endless forest and the grand Namjagbarwa Peak. The Benri La Mountain near the Dagze Village on the western slope of the mountain is a sacred site of the Tibetan Bon Sect and one of the four great holy mountains in Tibet. All year, devotees make pilgrimages to this spot from all areas. Every tenth day of the eighth month of the Tibetan calendar, a grand mountain worshipping activity is held, which is called "Nangbolhasoi," meaning "seeking for treasures from immortals."
There are two routes of touring in Nyingchi. One is Lhasa the Basum Lake Bayi Town Lhasa, which passes four scenic spots of the Basum Lake, Bayi Town, the Seche La Mountain and the Burqug Lamaling. This route is good for both touring and conducting scientific investigations. The other route is Lhasa Nyingchi Mainling Shannan. Along this eastern circular route one can admire natural landscapes, visit cultural and historical sites, and enjoy the folklore.