Mt Kailash, located in Burang County, is the highest peak of Gangdise Mountain, with an altitude of 6,638 meters (2,177 feet). Mt. Kailash has been considered the 'sacred mountain' in Tibetan and 'Heaven of Siva' in Sanskrit (Siva is the god of Hinduism) since thousands years ago. It is the place where the religion of Bon is originated. According to the Indian epics Lomoyana and the Tibetan historic epics History of Gangdise, people began to worship Mt Kailash as early as in 1000 B.C.
It is said that Mt. Kailash is the Sumeru Hill in Buddhism. Sumeru means the center of the world. Indians also think it is the center of the world. They believe that Siva, the god with highest supernatural power and the highest rank among the three gods of Hinduism, lives in the mountain. Mt. Kailash has been a lodestone to pilgrims and adventurous travelers for centuries but until recently very few had set their eyes on the Sacred Mountains. Fortunately, the improved roads, new bridges and telephone lines in recent years make it more accessible.