Mount Kailash
Mount Kailash is a 6,638-meter mountain located in the Ngari Prefecture of China. As a virgin peak in the Gangdise Shan range, it is recognized as a sacred mountain by Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. It is one of the most looked-up sights in China.
Planning a visit
The climate at Mount Kailash is consistently cold throughout the year. Temperatures remain below freezing for most months, with the warmest daily highs reaching 9 °C in July and 8 °C in August. These summer months also bring the highest precipitation levels, with July recording 117 mm of rain and August recording 131 mm. During the winter months, from November to March, temperatures are severe, with daily lows dropping to between -21 °C and -30 °C.
The nearest airport is Simikot Airport in Nepal, located 131 km away. A more distant option is Pokhara International Airport in Nepal, which is 413 km away. The mountain is situated 3,302 km from the capital, Beijing. Travelers often combine a visit to this area with a trip to Lake Manasarovar, located 48 km away.
Weather by month
The warmest month is July, with an average high of 9 °C. The wettest is August, with about 131 mm of rain.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average high, °C | -18 | -17 | -13 | -9 | -2 | 6 | 9 | 8 | 4 | -4 | -9 | -13 |
| Average low, °C | -30 | -30 | -26 | -21 | -15 | -6 | -1 | -1 | -6 | -16 | -22 | -26 |
| Rainfall, mm | 12 | 16 | 20 | 16 | 24 | 35 | 117 | 131 | 57 | 19 | 7 | 10 |
| Rainy days | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 6 | 17 | 13 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for this spot (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.
