More plains


More plains, originally called Kiang Chu Thang in the local language, is a plateau on the Leh–Manali Highway. Kiang Chu Thang means a plain where the kiang does not find water. It occupies 40 km of the highway between Leh and Pang. The plateau has an average elevation of 4,800 metres. The road is flanked by beautiful mountains on both sides. At some places, it runs along the Sumkhel Lungpa River, featuring stunning sand and rock natural formations.

Geography

More plains pool, a high-altitude wetland complex comprising two interconnected lakes, larger hypersaline Tso Kar and smaller freshwater Startsapuk Tso, is a Ramsar wetland site in India, found at more than 4,500 metres above sea level in the Changthang plateau of Ladakh. The primary source of lakes is glacial meltwater. It is one of the most important breeding areas in India for the black-necked crane. Some of the species found here are endangered saker falcon and Asiatic wild dog or dhole, and the vulnerable snow leopard.
The Tso Kar is connected by an inlet stream at its south-west end to a small lake, Startsapuk Tso, and together they form the 9 km2 More plains pool, which is dominated by the peaks of two mountains, Thugje and Gursan. From the geology of the More Plains, it can be concluded that the Tso Kar in historical times ranged up to this high valley. Until a few years ago the lake was an important source of salt, which the Changpa nomads used to export to Tibet. The nomadic settlement of Thugje is located 3 km in the north. There is a tented camp on the west bank of the lake which provides accommodation for tourists.
In relation to Tso Kar, other places in Changtang plateau are Miru on Leh–Manali Highway to the northwest, Pongunagu on northwest shore, Thukje on northeast shore, Giu on western shore and Chutak on southwest shore.

Transport

The plain area starts after covering around 4 km uphill road from Pang towards Tanglang La pass. The road to this area is mostly on the plain for approximately 35 km, before it again starts to rise to Tanglang La. This area is a major attraction to bikers heading towards Leh from Manali. The Border Roads Organisation of Indian Army has converted the road to two lanes, one in each direction.