Ngari

Ngari, also known as Ali, is a prefecture-level region in the westernmost part of the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. It sits on a high-altitude plateau and is one of the largest and most sparsely populated areas on the Tibetan Plateau.

Geographically, Ngari encompasses vast arid plains and deep valleys at elevations commonly exceeding 3,000 meters. The region includes sacred and culturally significant landmarks such as Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar, which attract pilgrims and visitors from multiple traditions. Ngari also features ancient Buddhist sites, including the ruins of the Guge Kingdom at Tsaparang, which testify to the area’s historical role in Tibetan culture.

The population of Ngari is small relative to its land area, with communities primarily engaged in pastoralism and animal husbandry, including yak and sheep herding. The economy is complemented by nomadic and semi-nomadic livelihoods, limited agriculture in river valleys, and growing cultural and religious tourism. Infrastructure is sparse compared with more accessible parts of the region, though air links and limited highway routes connect Ngari to Lhasa and other Tibetan areas. Ngari Kunlun Airport serves as an important regional transport hub, improving accessibility to this remote region.

Administratively, the capital and administrative center is Shiquanhe, also known as Ali. The area is governed as part of the Tibet Autonomous Region and retains strong Tibetan cultural and linguistic traditions, with Tibetan and Chinese as the dominant languages. The landscape, climate, and sacred sites make Ngari a distinctive region within Tibet.