Located about 100 km (62 mi) north of Lhasa, with
Namtso Lake to the northwestern mountainside and
Yampachen to the southern mountainside, Mt. Nyainqentanglha is the last mountain to be crossed along the railway to Tibet.
Mt. Nyainqentanglha, the watershed of the
Yarlung Tsangpo and Nu Rivers divides North Tibet, South Tibet and Southeast Tibet. At an average altitude of over 6,000 m.(19,685 ft), the mountain is snow-capped all the year round. With clouds and fogs suspended above the peak, the mountain is both fascinating and mysterious. The main peak of the mountain Nyainqentanglha Peak stands on the Damxung Grassland to the west of Qinghai-Tibet Highway and the railway, at an altitude of 7,162 m (23,497 ft).
Mt. Nyainqentanglha literally means 'efficacious grassland deity' in Tibetan, which attests to the respect that Tibetans have adorn upon it. The mountain is believed by both followers of
Bon and Buddhism to be the lead deity among all of the north grassland, and a famous guardian of doctrines in the whole of Tibet. Of many ancient myths, legends and folk songs, Mt. Nyainqentanglha and Namtso Lake go beyond the most attractive sacred mountain and holy lake of Tibet, and become the lifelong lover and couple. These beliefs and the natural beauty of them lure numerable pilgrims and tourists every year.
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