Rutok is located in the northwestern region of Ali prefecture, some 120 kilometers from Shiquanhe – the capital of Ali. It has an area of 75,400 square kilometers with a population of 6,300. It forms the northern part of Changtang plateau that its river internally into lakes, such as Lake Ban-gong Tso, which lies half in Tibet, and half in India. None of its waterways drain into the Indus Basin.
It is also the last big twon before entering Xinjiang prefecture, it is about 12240km from Kashigar, en route there are several passes over 5000 meters, one of it called Jie Shan Da Ban, which is 5,370 meters above sea level. The Mt. Kunlun and the Mt. Kailash ranges cross the country. It is cold and dry, the sunshine is abundant, but the rain is little. This is last county in Tibet before the road leads into Xinjiang prefecture.
The monastery that is built on the top of the hill is called Lhundrub Chode Monastery. It was founded by the Drukpa Kunlek and one Gelug pa master Yonten Gyatso. A road leads west for about 60 km to Retso town where to access the traditional trade route via Lake Mendong-tso and across the Chugu la and Kamar La pass into Ladakh. This route is also thought to be the extreme west part of the Tea-Horse Trading Route.
Recommended Hotels in Rutok county
Add: Ying Bin Road
Contact: +86 897 2664777
Add: No. 37, Heibei Street
Contact: +86 0 15728972666
Add: No. C6-C7, Business Street
Contact: +86 897 2735588
Distance from Rutok County to
- To Ali (Shiquanhe) : 126 kilometers, about 3 hours drive
- To Darchen : 380 kilometers, about 7.5 hours drive
- To KunSha (Gunsa) Airport : 180 kilometers, about 4 hours drive
- To Guge Kingdom: 315 kilometers, about 8 hours drive
- To Burang county : 470kilometers, about 9 hours drive
- To Kashigar : 1180 kilometers, about 24 hours drive
- To Lhasa : 1580 kilometers, about 27 hours drive
