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Pailong Township, also known as Pailong Menba Township, is located on the border of eastern Nyingchi County and Bomi County. Located in the eastern extension of the Himalayas, Pailong Township is where the Yarlung Zangbo River's tributaries, the Parlung Zangbo and Layuequ, converge. The area boasts the Yarlung Zangbo River Great Bend Scenic Area, a key wildlife protection area in the Tibet Autonomous Region.
The Sichuan-Tibet Highway reaches an altitude of 1,930 meters here, its lowest point on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Its geography resembles the base of a V. Pailong Township and Tongmai Town are located at the starting point where Indian Ocean moisture spreads northward along the Yarlung Zangbo River Grand Canyon. This area is prone to heavy rain and mudslides, creating a natural barrier, similar to the Medog Highway. Pailong is one of the main gathering places of the Monba people in Tibet. Men and women wear long red felt robes with brown caps and orange trims, and small hats with a notch in the front, or coarse black felt hats. Most Monba people believe in Buddhism, though in some areas they also practice primitive shamanism. They enjoy singing and dancing.
Plateau temperate humid semi-humid monsoon climate;
Luzangbo River Big Bend Scenic Area
In 1994, Chinese scientists announced a major geographical discovery to the world: the Great Bend Canyon in the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River in Tibet, China is the world's largest canyon. Its depth far exceeds the Colca Canyon in Peru (3,200 meters deep), which was originally thought to be the deepest, and its length also exceeds the Colorado Canyon in the United States (440 kilometers long), which was originally thought to be the world's longest.
Pailong natural barrier
From Bomi County, heading towards Pailong Township and Lulang Town, the Pailong Pass, just after the Tongmai Pass, is renowned for its sheer precipitousness and uniqueness, earning it the nickname "the death section" along with the Tongmai Pass. In April 2016, the Tongmai-Pailong section of the Sichuan-Tibet Highway renovation project, featuring five tunnels and two bridges and a total investment of nearly 1.5 billion yuan, officially opened to traffic. The world-famous Tongmai-Pailong bottleneck on the Sichuan-Tibet Highway in Tibet is now a thing of the past.
Pailong Hot Spring
Pailong Hot Spring: It is a natural hot spring located in the north of Pailong Menba National Township, Nyingchi City, Tibet. It has 10 springs of various sizes and is the lowest point in Tibet on National Highway 318.
Pailong Township is part of Nyingchi in Tibet, known for its rich Tibetan culture and striking natural beauty. It has been a part of Tibet's religious and cultural heritage, with monasteries and historical sites that highlight the region’s spiritual practices and way of life.
Pailong Township is located in Nyingchi, Tibet, which is in the southeastern part of the Tibet Autonomous Region. The best way to get there is by taking a flight to Nyingchi Mainling Airport, followed by a taxi or private car to the township. There are no metro services in this remote area.
Pailong Township does not have specific opening hours as it is a rural area. The best time to visit is between May and October when the weather is warmer and the landscape is lush and green. Avoid winter months when snow may make travel difficult.
There is no general entrance fee to visit Pailong Township itself. However, certain attractions such as monasteries or nature reserves may charge an entrance fee. Tickets can usually be bought on-site, and in some cases, online bookings may be available for specific tours or activities.
Booking tickets in advance is not typically required unless you plan to visit specific events or guided tours, especially during peak travel seasons. It is recommended to book at least a few days in advance if you wish to visit popular monasteries or cultural events.
To fully explore Pailong Township and its surrounding areas, a 2–3 day visit is recommended. This allows time to hike, explore cultural sites, and interact with local communities.
Guided tours are available in Pailong Township, and most are conducted in Mandarin. Some tours may offer English-speaking guides upon request, especially in more tourist-focused areas.
A recommended itinerary would be to start with a visit to the local monasteries, followed by a hike through the surrounding valleys. Finish with a tour of nearby Tibetan villages to experience the local culture.
Night visits and light shows are not typical in Pailong Township, but special tours or ceremonies might be available depending on the time of year, especially during Tibetan festivals.
Pailong Township is not typically crowded due to its remote location. The least crowded times to visit are during the shoulder seasons (spring and autumn) when the weather is pleasant but not peak tourist season.
The terrain around Pailong Township can be rugged, making it less accessible for elderly or disabled visitors. However, many cultural sites and village areas are walkable for families with children.
Cash is still commonly used in Pailong Township, especially in rural areas. However, mobile payment systems like WeChat Pay and Alipay are increasingly accepted in more tourist-oriented locations.
Local Tibetan restaurants are available in and around Pailong Township, offering traditional dishes such as yak meat, tsampa (barley flour), and butter tea.
Vegetarian options are available in most Tibetan restaurants, though vegan options may be limited. Halal food is not widely available, but larger towns in Tibet may offer more diverse options.
Souvenir shops in Pailong Township offer traditional Tibetan handicrafts, jewelry, and textiles such as prayer flags and thangkas (Tibetan paintings). Local snacks and teas are also popular souvenirs.
After visiting Pailong Township, the best transportation options are private taxis or buses to other parts of Tibet. For longer trips, Nyingchi offers connections to larger cities like Lhasa via bus or flights.
