GawuLa Pass - Tibet travel best scenic spot to Mount Everest

GawuLa Pass - Tibet travel best scenic spot to Mount Everest

Gawula Pass can be found nestled between the villages of Che and Tashizom. It is renowned for its stunning beauty and is commonly referred to as Pang La in travel guides. Considered one of the most breathtaking mountain passes in Tibet, Gawula Pass is a must-see for any visitor to the region.

Article Photo: Two travelers on a trip to Tibet with a view of Mount Everest from Gawula Pass in May.

The official designation of the Gawula Pass is Kyu Wu Kha Pass, situated at an elevation of 5198 meters.

Photo: Our youngest traveler from Malaysia, just 5 years old, traveling to the Mount Everest North Face Base Camp with their family. 

1. Five snow mountains above 8000 meters.

The top five tallest mountains on Earth are located in Tingri County, Shigatse City, Tibet Autonomous Region, China. The breathtaking scenery of these snow-covered peaks, all towering over 8000 meters, can be admired from the Gawula Pass.

1. Mount Everest (8848.86 meters, 29031ft)
2. Mount Makalu (8463 meters, 27825ft)
3. Mount Lhotse (8516meters, 27940ft)
4. Mount Cho Oyu (8188 meters, 26906 ft) and finally
5. Mount Shishapangma (8027 meters, 26289ft)

From the summit of Gawu La Pass, it is approximately 90km to the Rongbuk monastery and Mount Everest base camp—nearly 500km from Gawula Pass to Lhasa City and around 220km to Shigatse City. 

Alternatively, we offer six Tibet tour options to Mount Everest Base Camp: a 7-day Tibet tour to Everest Base Camp, an 8-day Tibet tour to Everest, a 9-day Tibet tour to Everest Base Camp, and a 10-day tour to Everest Base Camp. Furthermore, if you intend to travel to Nepal following your Tibet journey, we provide an 8-day Tibet travel package to Everest Base Camp and the Nepal border, as well as a 10-day Tibet travel package to the Nepal border.

2. What makes Gawula so popular?

Gawula is highly favored due to its proximity to the north face base camp of Mount Everest, making it a top destination for travelers in Tibet. This picturesque high pass is a key highlight for those journeying to the base camp of Mount Everest. We offer seven Tibet travel packages to Mount Everest's base camp, all of which include a pass through the breathtaking Gawula Pass at an altitude of 5200 meters.

Photo: Four travelers travel to Tibet from Singapore at Gawula Pass.

1. 7-Day Mount Everest Base Camp Tibet Tour
2. 8-Day Mount Everest Base Camp Tibet Tour
3. 8-Day Mount Everest Base Camp to Nepal Tour
4. 9-Day Mount Everest Base Camp Tibet Tour
5. 10-Day Mount Everest Base Camp and Namtso Lake Tibet Tour
6. 10-Day Mount Everest Base Camp and Ganden monastery Tibet Tour
7. 15-Day Mount Kailash and Mount Everest Tibet Tour
8. 17-Day Mount Kailash and Mount Everest Tibet Tour

Gawula Pass is a must-see destination for travelers in Tibet. Five of the world's tallest mountains' most stunning snow-capped peaks are truly invaluable.

3. What are the closest towns?

Shigatse, the second-largest city after Lhasa, is the nearest urban center to Gawula Pass, which is situated in Tingri County, approximately 280 km from Shigatse. The towns closest to Gawu La pass are Old Tingri, 40 km away, and New Tingri, 35 km away, also known as Gangkar and Shegar, respectively. Travelers typically spend a night in Pelber town, which is 20 km before reaching the base camp. Shegar town is located 14 km away from Pelber town.

Lhatse is another larger town located around 120 km away, while the border towns of Zhangmu, 210 km away, and Kyirong, 240 km away, are located at the border with Nepal. To learn more about Old Tingri, refer to our Mount Everest article located after the piece.

4. What hospitals are closest?

1. Tashizom village clinic 
2. New Tingri Shegar Town Hospital 
3. Lhatse Town Hospital 
4. Shigatse City Hospital 

5. What are the closest famous villages?

1. My villages, Tashizom and Pasum, are around 15–25 km from Gawula Pass.
2. The Mount Everest Non-Pollution Eco Bus Park is located in Tashizom village.
3. Chey Village (Near the checkpoint of Mount Everest National Park)

Photo: Two Singapore travelers' Tibet trip to Mount Everest's north face on a full moon day.

6. Which monasteries are closest?

1. Shegar Chode monastery. 
2. Rongbuk monastery.
3. Dra Tho monastery near Tashizom village.
4. Langkor Pa Dhampa Sangay monastery near Old Tingri. 
5. Sakya Monastery.
6. Lhatse Chode monastery.

There are numerous small monasteries, and some of the notable ones are listed above.

7. Which borders are closest?

1. Zhangmu border between Nepal.
2. Kyirong is a border town in Nepal.
3. Nyalam town is near Zhangmu town.

8. What are the trekking options near Gawula?

If you're looking for some excellent trekking routes, you've got to check out the ones near Gawula and Mount Everest base camp. These two routes are super popular and worth exploring! Kangshung Valley is one of the longest-duration hidden beauty treks in Tibet.

1. Kharta Gama Kangshung Valley trek to the east face of Mount Everest.
2. Old Tingri to Mount Everest viewpoint area trek.

Photo: Four travelers from Singapore at Gawula, Tibet travel article.

Conclusion

To witness the breathtaking view of Mount Everest from Gawu la Pass, it is recommended to visit during sunrise or sunset. Scheduling a visit early in the morning, around 7-8 am, or in the late afternoon, around 6-7 pm, would be ideal for experiencing the stunning scenery.

Staying a night in Pelber is suggested for travelers to witness the sunrise on the Himalayas from Gawula Pass. The distance from Pelber to the top of Gawu la Pass is approximately 40–50 km, requiring nearly two hours of driving. Spending a night in Pelber town also aids in adjusting to the altitude.

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