Nagchu lies in the northern part of the Tibet Autonomous Region, it neighbors Chamdo in the east, Ngari in the west, Lhasa, Nyingchi and Xigaze in the south, and the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Qinghai Province in the north.

Covering an area of some 400,000 square kilometers, Nagchu is generally referred to as Changtang; the area is high in the west and lies at an elevation of over 4,500 meters and low in the east. The vast region of the central west is basically flat but dotted with hills and numerous lakes, and is crisscrossed by rivers. This area lies at an elevation of from 3,500 to 4,500 meters and also has forest resources and bush pasture, and a climate that is more equitable than that in the central west.

Nagchu falls within the sub-frigid zone and experiences extreme cold, a scarcity of oxygen, dry air and storms. There are no absolutely frost-free periods. From November to March the air is dry, the temperature low and the area is exposed to violent sandstorm. From May to September, Nagqu is warm and enjoys good weather. The annual growing season lasts for 100 days, and during this period the area receives 80 percent of its annual precipitation. At this time the grasslands are emerald and grazed by flocks of sheep.

The Qingzang highway winds through the region providing easy passage amidst its picturesque landscape. The ancient Zhang Zhung culture ruins, Bonnist monastery, the holy Namtso Lake and folklores of highland herders are all unique attractions to visitors from outside.


Nyainqentanglha Mountains
The 7,117-meter Nyainqentanglha, located on the south of Lake Namtso and 100 kilometers to the north of Lhasa, is the highest peak in Nagqu Prefecture. Wreathed by cloud and mist all the year round and frequented by wrathful lighting and peals of thunder, the snow-capped Nyainqentanglha stands mysteriously tall and upright over plains, gorges and other snow mountains.

Southern slopes of the range are extremely rugged; many sections are above 6,100 meters, with some individual peaks well above 7,000 meters in the area northwest of Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. The southern slopes also are comparatively well watered, and the natural environment is clearly divided into vertical zones, rich in grasses and shrubs affording good mountain pastures. The slopes drain into the Yarlung Zangbo River, the name in China for the Brahmaputra. In the west, the northern slopes of the range form part of the interior drainage of the southeastern area of the Qiangtang basin and are generally dry and covered with hardy grasses; at the eastern end of the range, the northern slopes drain into the upper headwaters of the Salween River and have a much richer cover of alpine grasses. The main route across the range traverses the Sanxiong Pass between Yangbajain and Nagqu. This carries the main road from Lhasa north to Golmud at the southern end of the Qaidam Basin in Qinghai province; a new rail line (opened 2006) connecting Lhasa and Golmud also links Lhasa to the rest of China.

In the ancient legends, the Bon religion and Buddhism, folksongs and folklores of the local shepherds and hunters, the Nyainaentanglha Mountains and the Namtso Lake are described not only as the most attractive holy mountains and lake, but also lovers and a couple for life and death.

Nyainaentanglha is believed by many religious followers to be a Buddhist guardian. It is also the major deity in the grasslands to the north. Followers of the Bon religion and Buddhism hold it to be the place where various Buddhist masters practiced Buddhism.