More plains, originally calledKiang Chu Thang in the local language, is a plateau on theLeh–Manali Highway. Kiang Chu Thang means a plain where thekiang (Tibetan wild ass) does not find water.[1] It occupies 40 km of the highway betweenLeh andPang. 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.[2]
More plains pool, a high-altitude wetland complex comprising two interconnected lakes, larger hypersalineTso Kar and smaller freshwater Startsapuk Tso, is aRamsar wetland site in India, found at more than 4,500 metres above sea level in theChangthang plateau of Ladakh. The primary source of lakes is glacial meltwater. It is one of the most important breeding areas in India for theblack-necked crane (Grus nigricollis). Some of the species found here are endangeredsaker falcon (Falco cherrug) andAsiatic wild dog or dhole (Cuon alpinus laniger), and the vulnerablesnow leopard (Panthera uncia).
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 plainspool, which is dominated by the peaks of two mountains, Thugje (6050 m) and Gursan (6370 m). 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 theChangpa nomads used to export toTibet. 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.[3][4]
In relation to Tso Kar, other places inChangtang plateau areMiru (Meroo) onLeh–Manali Highway to the northwest, Pongunagu on northwest shore, Thukje on northeast shore, Giu (not to be confused withGya which lies north of Miroo) on western shore and Chutak on southwest shore.
The plain area starts after covering around 4 km uphill road from Pang towardsTanglang La pass. Theroad 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. TheBorder Roads Organisation (BRO) ofIndian Army has converted the road to two lanes, one in each direction.
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33°12′00″N77°48′00″E / 33.2000°N 77.8000°E /33.2000; 77.8000
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