[Sapu Sacred Mountain Comprehensive Travel Guide] Explore the Family Legend of the Pyramid-Shaped Snow Mountain!

📍Location: Inside Puzong Valley, Yangxiu Township, Biru County, Nagqu City, Tibet Autonomous Region

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✨ Scenic Highlights

🏔️ Unique Snow Mountain Family: Sapu Sacred Mountain is not a single peak but a "snow mountain family" composed of multiple snow-capped peaks. The main peak, Sapugangri, reaches an altitude of 6,956 meters (other sources say 6,995 meters or 6,556 meters) and is known as "Sapugunlagabu." It is one of the important sacred mountains in Tibetan Buddhism and Bon religion. Most strikingly, local residents have given these peaks a vivid family story: Sapu himself, his wife, son, daughter, and even a legendary "illegitimate son" born from the wife’s affair. Among them, the shapes of the second son’s and the illegitimate son’s mountains are extremely rare, forming a perfect equilateral triangular pyramid, a natural wonder.

💦 Sacred Lake and Glacier Wonders: At the foot of Sapu lies the sacred lake formed by glacier meltwater—"Samucuo" (also called Samu Lake), meaning "Wish-Fulfilling Lake." The water is crystal clear, showing a unique blue-green hue under sunlight. The lake is divided into two parts: near the mountain foot is a glacier lake that never melts year-round, and the other part is the main lake. In winter, when the lake surface freezes, a magical blue ice scene forms, with bubbles trapped inside the ice, creating a spectacular view.

🦊 Rich Wildlife and Plants: The Sapu area boasts a beautiful ecological environment, with cypress trees, small-leaf rhododendrons, fritillaria, snow lotus, cordyceps, and other precious medicinal plants along the lake shores. It is also home to wild animals such as white-lipped deer, Tibetan foxes, and yaks. If lucky, you may spot them by the lake.

🙏 Deep Cultural Heritage: Every year on the 15th day of the 5th month of the Tibetan calendar, local temples and residents hold grand religious ceremonies at the foot of the snow mountain, praying for the sacred mountain and lake to bless the country with peace and prosperity. Legend has it that the main lake completely thaws overnight on this day and freezes again overnight on the 15th day of the 9th month, a truly miraculous phenomenon.

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🗺️ Practical Information

🕒 Best Travel Seasons:

· May to October: Warmer weather, roads accessible, lake thawed, lush scenery, ideal for hiking and photography
· Winter: Frozen lake surface allows viewing of the blue ice wonder, but some roads may be closed due to snow; check road conditions in advance

🎫 Ticket Information:

· Ticket prices may vary; it is recommended to check before traveling. Reference price: about 100-150 RMB per person
· Sightseeing shuttle: round trip about 45 RMB per person (from the visitor center to the outer lake)

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🚗 Transportation Guide

· Self-driving/Charter (Recommended):
· Depart from Lhasa, drive via G317/G318, about 700-900 km total
· Must use an SUV or off-road vehicle; sedans cannot pass. A Land Cruiser is best due to very poor road conditions and water crossings
· Navigate to "Sapu Visitor Service Center" to transfer to the park shuttle
· Public Transport:
· Take train or bus from Lhasa to Nagqu, then transfer to a shuttle bus to Biru County, and finally charter a vehicle to Sapu

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📸 Recommended Touring Routes

Classic One-Day Tour:

· Morning: Arrive at the outer lake, photograph the full view of the sacred mountain, wooden bridge by the lake, and prayer flag clusters are excellent photo spots
· Noon: Rest by the lake, enjoy the lake and mountain scenery
· Afternoon: Hike to the inner lake (about 2 hours), get close to the glacier, return by evening

In-Depth Two-Day Tour:

· Day 1: Depart from Biru County early morning → Arrive at Sapu outer lake by noon → Photograph by the lake → Overnight at base camp (shoot starry sky)
· Day 2: Capture sunrise on the golden mountain → After breakfast, hike to the inner lake → Return to Biru County in the afternoon

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🏨 Accommodation Recommendations

· Sapu Base Camp: Near the outer lake, beds about 100 RMB per person, basic conditions, no private bathroom, but convenient for shooting sunrise, sunset, and starry sky
· Baiga Township/Yangxiu Township: Better conditions, about 2 hours’ drive from the scenic area, suitable for travelers with higher accommodation requirements
· Biru County Town: More accommodation options with better conditions but farther from the scenic area

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🍜 Food Recommendations

· Local Tibetan Cuisine: Try yak meat, butter tea, and other traditional Tibetan dishes
· Bring Your Own Food: Limited dining options inside the scenic area, it is recommended to bring some snacks and water

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💫 Travel Tips

1. 🌡️ Altitude Sickness Prevention: Sapu area altitude ranges from 4,400 to 5,000 meters. It is recommended to take Rhodiola for 7 days in advance, carry an oxygen bottle, avoid washing hair or bathing within 24 hours of arrival, and avoid strenuous exercise
2. 👕 Clothing Preparation: The plateau climate is changeable; even in summer, bring windproof jackets, down jackets, and warm clothing. Prepare non-slip shoes, especially for winter visits to see the blue ice
3. 🐻 Safety Precautions:
· Brown bears appear in the area; do not go out alone at night, do not approach or provoke wild animals
· Hiking to the inner lake should be done in groups; some areas are off-limits
4. 📷 Photography Tips:
· Golden photo spots: outer lake wooden bridge, large rocks, prayer flag clusters, hillside grasslands
· Best shooting times: sunrise on the golden mountain and sunset
· Nighttime offers stunning starry sky and Milky Way photography
5. 🛣️ Road Condition Reminder: Sapu scenic area roads are poor, mostly unpaved with potholes, requiring high driving skills and vehicle performance; not recommended for novice drivers

Sapu Sacred Mountain, known as the "Secret of Secrets in Tibet," awaits you to experience its grandeur and magic! 🌟 Save this guide and start your Sapu journey now! ✨