Gyatso La Pass
རྒྱ་མཚོ་ལ།
A pass at 5,248 m on the Lazi to Tingri stretch of National Highway 318, covered in prayer flags. It is the northern gateway to the Everest nature reserve and a must-stop for self-drivers.
Gyatso La Pass sits at about 5,248 m and is one of the highest points on the Shigatse section of National Highway 318. A sign marks the “Qomolangma National Nature Reserve,” and layers of prayer flags flutter over the barren, expansive plateau ridges. Vehicles heading from Lazi toward Tingri often stop here for photos, and on clear days you can see the Himalayas in the distance. No ticket is required, and a 10 to 20 minute stop is enough. The altitude is high and the wind is strong, so move slowly after getting out of the car and avoid running. It is about 60 km from Shegar (New Tingri), roughly a 1-hour drive.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Shegar Chode Monastery
- Gawu La (Pang La) Viewpoint & 108 Bends
- Kama Valley (Everest East Face)
- Old Tingri (Gangga) & Cho Oyu Viewpoint
- Rongbuk Monastery
- Everest Base Camp (North)