[2024 Nyima Attraction] Travel Guide for Qiangtang Prairie (Updated Nov)

Purog Kangri Glacier, the third largest glacier in the world

Purog Kangri Glacier is located in Shuanghu County, Nagqu City, Tibet Autonomous Region, within the core area of the Qiangtang National Nature Reserve. Its altitude ranges from 6000 meters to 6800 meters, covering an area of over 400 square kilometers, making it the largest glacier in the mid-low latitudes in the world. The Purog Kangri Icefield was first discovered by Chinese and American scientists in 1999 and was confirmed to be the largest glacier outside the Antarctic and Arctic. Due to global warming, the Purog Kangri Icefield is in a state of retreat. Research shows that the area of the Purog Kangri Icefield was over 420 square kilometers in 2000, but by 2021, it had shrunk to about 389 square kilometers.

Tibetan antelope mother and child on the Lhunzhub Tang grassland

Recently, newly born Tibetan antelope calves have been photographed multiple times on the Lhunzhub Tang grassland in Maiba Township, Shenzha County, Nagqu City, within the Qiangtang National Nature Reserve in Tibet. It is understood that the annual calving season for the Tibetan antelope has begun. The Tibetan antelope is a national first-class protected animal. Currently, there are more than 300,000 Tibetan antelopes living on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, with over 200,000 residing in the Qiangtang National Nature Reserve in northern Tibet.

How many wild animals are there in Qiangtang, Tibet?

Qiangtang National Nature Reserve is located in the northern part of the Tibet Autonomous Region, where snow-capped mountains and glaciers undulate, and wild animals roam freely, earning it the reputation of a 'paradise for wild animals.'

Come count sheep! Encountering the Tibetan antelope breeding migration in Qiangtang

In mid-May, in the Qiangtang National Nature Reserve located in the northern part of the Tibet Autonomous Region, large groups of pregnant female Tibetan antelopes begin to assemble and migrate to their customary birthing grounds. The Qiangtang grassland is located in the northern part of Tibet, with most areas still in their pristine state. It preserves a complete and unique alpine ecosystem, nurturing a treasure trove of biodiversity with a wide variety of wildlife. In addition to the Tibetan antelope, wild yaks, and kiangs, the area is also home to snow leopards, black-necked cranes, wolves, vultures, brown bears, and other wildlife, including 10 species under first-class national protection and 21 species under second-class national protection.

Excavation of Cordyceps is one of the most important sources of economic income for Tibetan friends. It is necessary to rely on the local acquisition certificate to enter the mountain to dig the Cordyceps, and those who do not have a certificate of collection cannot enter, and the government is particularly strict. Children have become the main force in the excavation of Cordyceps because of their good eyesight, fast legs and light body. When chatting with local Tibetan friends, they know that the school here will put "Chongcao fake" every year, and the last semester is generally only short. It is less than three months short, and the next semester will last from July to the end of the Cordyceps period until the end of the year.