China plans to upgrade the domestic airport in Tibet for Kailash-Mansarovar yatra

The Chinese government has planned to improve the domestic airport in the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) to an international one. This is being done in order to accommodate foreign tourists and Indian pilgrims entering the Chinese territory for paying obeisance to Mount Kailash and Mansarovar lake.
According to the news reports, Deputy Commissioner of TAR, Ge Qingmin, announced that the initiative to enhance the Gunsa airport in Ali prefecture will be a big leap in providing more convenience to the pilgrims. He further added that joint efforts on part of both China and India will be needed to bring these changes to life.

Reportedly, Baimanyangzong, the Director General of the Foreign Affairs Office of TAR, has stated that the government has put efforts to improve the infrastructure for the convenience of the pilgrims. Li Bijian, Deputy Chief of mission at the Chinese embassy, said that although the pilgrims visiting Mansarovar Lake are not allowed to take a holy dip in its waters due to environmental concerns, they are permitted to take back some water from the lake.

News has it that Tarun Vijay, an erstwhile MP, was also in attendance at the event, and he puts forth ideas to the suggestion of the pilgrims on improving amenities near the pilgrimage site.

Each year, thousands of pilgrims eagerly apply for grants and take part in this pilgrimage, which is considered to be one of holiest in the Hindu religion.

The Kailash Yatra starts from June and ends in September every year. It happens via two routes - the Nathu La Pass in Sikkim and the Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand. The Nathu La pass was opened for pilgrims from India in the year 2015. Once the Indian pilgrims pass the Nathu La route, they are ushered by the Chinese transport facilities for the great Kailash Mountain.