Darchen Village

Darchen is a small village with an altitude of about 4,700 meters, in the south of Kailash monutain, is where the starting point of the Kailash Cora. It is only a one-day bus drive approxiamtely 340 kilometers from Ali (Shiquanhe) the capital town of Ngari prefecture.

Darchen is also called as “Tarchen” in Tibetan, Or “Taqin” in chinese Pingyin.

Brief

It was formerly an important Sheep and Yak station for the nomads and their herds. Until 1994, there were just 4 or 5 permanent buildings. In 1995, a medical center was founded and built sponsored by Swiss which has become a training center for doctors.

After nearly 20 yrs developing, it now contains about 12 small restaurants and several hotels, guesthouses; among of which Gang Dis Hotel is where Public Security Bureau officers are stationed from March till to November. In additon to that, there are a number of grocery stores, and camping sites.

There is not much to see in this small village, but you can leave yur extra luggage in the locked storerooms here. It is also a place where you can rent gear, hire yaks or horses …etc, for your trek of Mt Kailash