Namtso Lake is a vast expanse of salt water located 110 kilometers from Lhasa in Tibet. It sits on the border between Damxung District and Baingoin and reaches an elevation of 4,718 meters near the Tanggula Mountains.

Namtso Lake is one of Tibet's largest sacred lakes, which explains why pilgrims are frequently spotted here.

Visiting Namtso Lake

Namtso Lake translates literally as "Heavenly Lake" in Tibetan. It ranks among Tibet's most famous sacred lakes and is a sacred site within Tibetan Buddhism. Namtso is said to be the world's highest salt water lake and ranks second as China's largest lake after Qinghai Lake.

To this day, Namtso Lake has maintained its water level thanks to precipitation and snow melt from surrounding mountains.

Legend

Tibetans believe the lake embodies a goddess, and those who bathe in its waters are said to be cleansed of all sin. Legend tells of an enormous thousand-year-old fish dwelling in these waters, along with dragon-like creatures. According to local belief, anyone who glimpses these beings will have their wishes granted.

Climate

Namtso Lake features a desert climate with frequent snow storms during winter months.

What to See

• Small uninhabited islands dot the lake, once serving as pilgrimage destinations. These islands are said to contain caves that sheltered pilgrims who would visit in winter when the lake freezes and spend their summers there. The largest island is Liangduo, located at the lake's northwestern tip, 3.1 km from shore. It measures 2,100 meters long by 800 meters wide and rises 100 meters above water level. Several distinctive rock peaks are visible from certain shores, some with unusual formations that have long inspired Tibetan legends and folktales.
• A sacred Buddhist site exists near Namtso Lake at its southeastern edge: Zhaxi Monastery, where thousands of Buddhist monks make pilgrimages. The pilgrimage occurs every 12 years during the Year of the Sheep, when monks circumambulate the lake clockwise to receive blessings from their deities.
• The lake's surroundings host diverse wildlife including yaks, antelope, and more. The shorelines feature vast grasslands where animals graze. The lake's five islands shelter migratory birds, and you may observe schools of fish leaping toward sunlight.
• You can also spot two 30-meter-high pillars, one notably marked by a large fissure. Tibetans believe these pillars represent the gate of Namtso's lake deity.

Description

Namtso Lake measures 70 kilometers long by 30 kilometers wide, covering 1,920 square kilometers. Namtso is surrounded by numerous smaller high-altitude lakes above 5,500 meters that span the Andes and Himalayas. The highest freshwater lake is Sengli at 5,386 meters with an area of 78 square kilometers. Nevertheless, Namtso ranks among the world's highest lakes and is Tibet's third sacred lake after Yamdrok-Tso and Manasarovar.

To reach Namtso Lake, you must first reach Lhasa. Access Lhasa via the Qinghai-Tibet railway or by air. Upon arrival in Lhasa, allow at least two days for acclimatization. After that, you can rent a vehicle or take a tourist bus to the lake.

The distance between Lhasa and Namtso is approximately 250 kilometers. A rental car will cost around 1,700 yuan for a round trip from Lhasa to Namtso, calculated by the kilometer.

Hours and Rates

Best Time to Visit Namtso Lake

Summer is the ideal time to visit Namtso Lake. During this season, you'll have the chance to see yaks, hares, and other wild animals grazing along the lake's shores. You'll also observe numerous migratory birds during this period.

Admission Price: 120 yuan