evidence: Darchen (also Tarchan or Taqin) is a small town in Purang County of Tibet Autonomous Region. It is situated right in front of the sacred mountain, Mount Kailash, and 330km to the southeast of Shiquanhe. Darchen (also Tarchan or Taqin) is a small town in Purang County of Tibet Autonomous Region. It is situated right in front of the sacred mountain, Mount Kailash, and 330km to the southeast of Shiquanhe. Its altitude is 4,575 metres (15,010 ft) and it is the starting point of Kailash Kora. It is also the only town and base for visiting both Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar. Darchen was previously known as Lhara and still signposted as such. It was previously an important sheep station for nomads and their flocks and had only two permanent buildings; only one of which survived the Cultural Revolution and is now used to house Tibetan pilgrims. Darchen is a completely Tibetan town though there are now more and more Chinese settling down opening hotels and restaurants. It contains a couple of restaurants and hotels or guesthouses. Mountain Horse Kee Restaurant by the main road is favored by travelers for its bright the environment and its attention to health.