Tibet has the largest number of glaciers outside the polar regions. These glaciers are not only crucial water sources for South and East Asia, but also breathtaking landscapes you could not find anywhere on the planet.

And the good news is that you can easily access some of the most famous Tibetan glaciers through regular travel itinerary, such as Karola Glacier, which lies along the popular Lhasa to Everest Base Camp tour route.

So, what are the top glaciers to visit in Tibet? When and how to visit them? Read on this guide to prepare for your next journey to these extraordinary natural wonders.

Why Tibetan Glaciers Matter: A Key Part of Nature and Daily Life in Tibet

Known as the “Third Pole”, Tibet is home to tens of thousands of glaciers. These glaciers feed many major rivers in Asia, such as Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra), Mekong River, Yangtze River and Indus River. They serve as an important freshwater source for billions of people living downstream across the continent.

For local Tibetans, glaciers have a more direct and powerful impact on their daily lives. In addition to drinking and cooking, glacier melt supports Tibetan farming, livestock, and nomadic herding, etc. Besides, glaciers are also connected to mountain deities, and harming a glacier is believed to bring misfortune.

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#1 Karola Glacier - The Most Accessible Glacier Near Yamdrok Lake

Located just off the highway between Lhasa and Gyantse, the Karola Glacier could be the easiest glacier you can reach in Tibet. With a history of about 8,000 years, the glacier is also one of the oldest in Tibet.

Lying only 86 km from Yamdrok Lake, Karola Clacier is 5,560 meters above sea level and covers an area of 9.4 square kilometers. It is one of the eastern sources of the Nianchu River, and is backed up by the southern slope of Naiqin Kangsang Peak (7,191 meters), one of the four highest peaks in Tibet.

The glacier extends only 300 meters to the road. You don’t need to hike - just step out of your vehicle and you will see the glaciers towering above. You can walk up close on the viewing platform to take photos, or simply watch its magnificent black and white layered appearance from a distance.

To visit Karola Glacier, you don’t need to make a special route for it. Generally, you can make a convenient stop at Karola Glacier when traveling overland from Lhasa to Everest Base Camp or from Lhasa to Shigatse, after visiting Yamdrok Lake and before heading to Gyantse.

It only takes half an hour to an hour to visit Karola Glacier, which allows you to fully enjoy the magnificent scenery of the glacier without causing discomfort due to a long stay at the high altitude. And the best time to see the Karola Glacier is from May to October, when the weather is stable and mild, and the road is smooth.

#2 Midui Glacier - The Lowest Glacier Next to the G318 Highway

Midui Glacier is located in Midui Village of Nyingchi Prefecture and is the lowest glacier in Tibet, with its lowest part reaching only 2400 meters. Lying amid lush forests, snow-capped peaks and alpine lakes, Midui Glacier presents a breathtaking landscape unique to the region, and is rated as one of the six most beautiful glaciers in China.

Midui Glacier is only 8 kilometers away from G318 National Highway. When you travel overland from Chengdu to Lhasa or take a Nyingchi tour, you can stop at Midui Village and then take a short walk of 2 km or ride a horse to the viewing point of the glacier.

Usually, the best time to visit Midui Glacier is from May to October. During these months, you can enjoy warmer weather and better landscape. Especially in late autumn, the vibrant forest colors make the views of Midui Glaciers and its surrounding more enchanting.

#3 Laigu Glacier - The Largest and Widest Glacier in Tibet

Also located in Nyingchi Prefecture in eastern Tibet, Laigu Glacier is actually a collection of six magnificent glaciers, making it the largest and widest glacier in Tibet, covering a total area of over 300 square kilometers. What’s unique about Laigu Glacier is its incredible blue ice caves, featuring crystal-clear blue ice and towering ice walls.

To explore the blue ice caves of Laigu Glacier, you’d better come during the winter months from December to March. On sunny days, you will see sunlight reflecting various shades of blue, and the crystal blue ice and frozen lakes create a breathtaking icy paradise.

The Laigu Glacier can be visited after you explore the nearby Ranwu Lake, if you take a tour from Lhasa to Nyingchi. On the way to the glacier, you will also pass by scenic meadows, alpine lakes and snow-capped mountains.

#4 Rongbuk Glacier - The Closest Glacier to Mount Everest

Rongbuk Glacier is located on the north slope of Mount Everest, only about 300 meters away from the Everest Base Camp in Tibetan side. It is one of the highest glaciers in the world, with an altitude ranging from 7800 meters to 5200 meters, and also the largest in the Everest region, covering an area of 85 square kilometers.

One of the most stunning view of the Rongbuk Glacier is its serac ice forest, which is described as the most magnificent in the world, along with those in the Gasherbrum area. Here, you can admire layers of glacier rocks, massive stone columns, towers, and sword-shaped rocks, which stretch for thousands of meters.

To visit Rongbuk Glacier, you can trek from Everest Base Camp to the Advanced Base Camp in Tibet. This can take about 3 to 4 hours. In addition to Tibet Travel Permit and Alien’s Travel Permit for visiting Everest Base Camp, you will also need mountaineering permit for the trek.

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#5 Qudengnima Glacier - A Sacred Glacier in Western Tibet

Located in Gamba County of Shigatse Prefecture, Qudengnima Glacier is one of the most spiritual glaciers in Tibet. At an altitude over 5200 meters, the glacier is surrounded by mountains and accompanied by icy lakes. With spectacular and unique scenery, Qudengnima Glacier is little known to tourists and is praised as the “End of the World” by China National Geography.

Near the glacier is the Qudeng Nyima Temple, a Nyingma sect temple of Tibetan Buddhism, which was first built during the Tubo period and preserves murals of Guru Padmasambhava’s practice. At the foot of the glaciers, there are there plateau lakes that present amazing colors of blue and green under the sunlight.

You can visit the Qudengnima Glacier all year round. And the best time to go is on sunny days, when the pure white glaciers and colorful lakes look even more breathtaking under the bright sunshine.

Insider Tips for Visiting Glaciers in Tibet

1. Before you visit Tibet for these stunning glaciers, remember to obtain the Tibet Travel Permit and other necessary travel documents in advance. Tell us your travel plan and itinerary, and we will handle all the required travel documents on your behalf.

2. It is recommended to dress in layers, even when you visit the glacier in the summer season. There is a big temperature difference between day and night. In higher-altitude regions, such as Rongbuk Glacier, the temperature can be much colder than in urban areas.

3. Pay attention to altitude sickness. Take time to acclimatize yourself in lower altitude areas such as Lhasa or Nyingchi before heading to the higher glacier regions. Choose a suitable itinerary that allows for a gradual ascent.

4. Respect the local environment of Tibetan glaciers. When visiting these glaciers and other natural sites, avoid littering everywhere. Don’t disturb wildlife you may encounter in the region.

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Conclusion

Among the various Tibetan landscape, glaciers are not only beautiful sights but also vital lifelines of local region and many places of Asia. Among them, the most popular glaciers to visit include Karola Glacier, Rongbuk Glacier, Midui Glacier, Laigu Glacier and Qudengnima Glacier. You can visit these glaciers along some famous travel routes like the Lhasa to EBC tour.

If you still have any question about Tibetan glaciers, or have a travel idea of visiting one of them during your Tibet trip, feel free to contact us for inquiries. We are here to make your journey in Tibet smooth, safe and worry-free!