The Na Qu railway station in the middle of the vast Tibet plateau, at an elevation of 4500 m.

Nagqu falls within the sub-frigid zone and experiences extreme cold, a scarcity of oxygen, dry air and storms. There are no absolutely frost-free periods. Nagqu has an annual average temperature of -0.9ºC to -3.3ºC and a precipitation of 380 mm. From November to March the air is dry, the temperature low and the area is exposed to violent sandstorm. From May to September, Nagqu is warm and enjoys good weather. The annual growing season lasts for 100 days, and during this period the area receives 80 percent of its annual precipitation. At this time the grasslands are emerald and grazed by flocks of sheep.