Reported By Palden
Translated By TenGyal
The Chinese government has issued a directive restricting religious activities in Tibet’s sacred Nyenpo Yurtse mountain region, warning that any individuals or groups who stay without authorisation or undertake circumambulations on foot around the lake will face legal penalties.
On July 28th, under the pretext of implementing the so-called Sanjiangyuan (lit. Three-River-Headwater, referring to the three rivers; Drichu, Machu and Zachu) National Park Regulations, enforcing area controls around the sacred Nyenpo Yurtse mountain, and constructing a sightseeing boardwalk at Samar Nyaga, the Chinese government banned pilgrims from visiting the area. Authorities announced that individuals or groups camping without authorisation or making circumambulations of the lake on foot will face legal penalties. Recently, residents have only been allowed to pay their respects from Samar Nyaga and are barred from making the traditional circuit around the lakes.
In connection with this matter, an announcement issued by the Culture and Tourism Bureau of Chigdril (Juizhu) County in Golog stated that the area is generally divided into two zones: the core protection zone and the general control zone. Among these, strict prohibition and control are enforced in the core protection zone. According to the provisions of the National Park Management Regulations, no organisation or individual is permitted to enter the mountain area at will, circumambulate the lakes on foot, camp, or go mountaineering. Furthermore, all foot circumambulations and trekking routes promoted online are classified as illegal. Unauthorised entry into the protection zone risks damaging headwater vegetation and disturbing endangered wildlife; violators will be penalised by relevant authorities according to the law. The notice added that anyone who gets lost in the mountains or encounters unexpected disasters, such as flash floods or landslides, must bear full responsibility for the consequences.
The announcement further noted that Samar Nyaga is a key viewing platform for the scenery of Nyenpo Yurtse. As the sightseeing boardwalk is still under construction and has not yet passed safety inspections, visitor safety cannot be guaranteed at this time. Access is currently restricted to construction personnel and essential media crews, and tourists are strictly prohibited from venturing beyond the designated boardwalk and viewing platform areas. An opening date will be announced separately once the project is fully completed and clears safety checks.
A relevant source stated, “Under the pretext that heavy tourist traffic damages the natural environment, the Chinese government has been carrying out construction projects over the past few years to establish a national park at the foot of Nyenpo Yurtse, repeatedly telling local nomadic communities that they must relocate. Furthermore, local Tibetans in the area face comprehensive restrictions on religious activities, including incense-burning rituals (sang-sol), and residents are barred from accessing the lakeshores.”
Yet another source described, “Generally, in many areas where the Chinese government restricts access to tourists and locals, they carry out excavations and mining operations. However, that does not appear to be happening in the Nyenpo Yurtse area right now. Nevertheless, disregarding Tibetan religious beliefs, they plan to claim the land and establish a national park under the guise of so-called National Park Regulations.” Furthermore, in May of this year, after authorities issued an order banning religious activities by individuals and groups in Nyenpo Yurtse—warning that strict legal penalties would be imposed on anyone who failed to comply—six local tribes submitted petition letters three separate times to appeal the decision, but received no response.
For Tibetans, Nyenpo Yurtse is a deeply sacred mountain. Most notably, on July 17, 1992, under the auspices of the 6th Gungthang Rinpoche, Tenpe Wangchuk, the region’s two largest tribes—Akyong Khanggen and Akyong Khangsar—signed a peace agreement to end their hostility and conflict, erecting a ‘Unity Labtse ( Stone Mound).’ Since then, both groups have continuously observed annual religious traditions, such as raising prayer flags and offering incense (sang-sol) at Nyenpo Yurtse during the sixth Tibetan lunar month without interruption. The sacred Nyenpo Yurtse mountain is located in Chigdril (Juizhi) County, Golog Prefecture. Its guardian deity, Nyan-chen Thodpa Tsal, is venerated as immensely powerful, and the mountain earned its name—Nyenpo Yurtse—from the turquoise-hued rocky crags at its summit. The broader sacred region spans 2,338 square kilometres, with the sacred mountain core covering 880 square kilometres, making it the highest peak in the Zalmo Gang mountain range.
