Mount Saipu

The Saipu Glacier, Mount Saipu is located in Yangxiu Township, Biru County, Nagqu, with its main peak standing at an elevation of 6,956 meters. Also known as Sepu Gangri, Mount Saipu is the highest peak of the eastern section of the Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains, with an altitude of approximately 6,956 meters. It is situated in Puzonggou, Yangxiu Township, Biru County, Nagqu, encircled by surrounding peaks and honored as the sacred king of local mountains. As the highest peak of the eastern section of the Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains, it is also known as “Saipu Gurlagab” and is one of the Bon religion sacred mountains in Tibetan Buddhism. Mount Saipu consists of a cluster of peaks, arranged from left to right as follows: Saipu’s wife, the illegitimate child born to Saipu’s wife after her affair, Saipu’s second son, Saipu’s eldest son, and Saipu’s daughter. The illegitimate child of Saipu’s wife and the mountain shape of Saipu’s younger son feature a rare, nearly perfect triangular pyramid formation—uncommon not just in China but worldwide. Every summer, the summit of Mount Saipu is covered in snow and misty rain, while the foothills are lush with blooming flowers, green grass, and abundant water and vegetation. Due to its deep valleys and rugged terrain, coupled with poor transportation, this breathtaking glacier has remained hidden away and relatively unknown, making it an untouched and pristine tourism destination.

At the foot of the mountain lies the Sacred Lake of Saipu, formed by the melting of millennia-old glacial ice from the sacred mountain. It is divided into two parts: the glacier lake near the base of the mountain, known as “Sam Co,” remains frozen year-round.

Mount Saipu and its sacred lake are located within Puzonggou, Yangxiu Township. For thousands of years, Mount Saipu has stood tall here, surrounded by other peaks, with its main peak revered as the sacred king of the region. The Sacred Lake of Saipu was formed by the melting of millennia-old glacial ice from the mountain and extends from its base. The part close to the mountain is a glacier lake that remains frozen all year.

The other part is the main lake, whose waters are clear and pristine. Therefore, every year on May 15th, a grand religious circumambulation and prayer ceremony is held near the Sacred Lake of Saipu. Legend has it that the surface of the main lake thaws completely overnight on May 15th each year and then freezes again overnight on September 15th—an extraordinary phenomenon that makes it a fantastic destination for tourists.