Yamdrok Lake

ཡར་འབྲོག་གཡུ་མཚོ།

One of Tibet's three sacred lakes, and the easiest and most photogenic from Lhasa. From Kamba La Pass at 5,030 metres, you can look down on the turquoise lake, branched like coral.

Yamdrok Lake lies about 100 km southwest of Lhasa in Lhoka's Nagarze County, at an altitude of about 4,441 metres. It covers about 640 square kilometers. In Tibetan, Yamdrok means “jade lake.” Its shape resembles coral branches winding through the mountains. Together with Namtso and Manasarovar, it is one of Tibet's three sacred lakes. The classic view is from the observation point at Kamba La Pass (about 5,030 metres), where you can see the entire lake spread out among the mountains, its water a peacock blue. In the distance, the 7,206-metre Mount Nyenchen Tanglha stands watch. Down by the water, you can follow the lakeside road toward Nagarze County town. Herders offer photos with yaks and Tibetan mastiffs for a fee. You can also continue to the Karola Glacier (about 70 km away, the filming location of the movie “Red River Valley”). Admission: the Kamba La viewpoint is free, and some lakeside viewpoints charge about 30–60 CNY. Route: from Lhasa, take the airport expressway to S307, cross the Qushui Bridge, and climb over Kamba La Pass to the lake. The one-way trip takes about 2–2.5 hours. Day trips usually leave Lhasa at 8 a.m. and return around 4–5 p.m. You can combine the trip with the Karola Glacier and the Gyantse White Pagoda (Palcho Monastery and Gyantse Fort) into a “Yamdrok–Karola–Gyantse” route, or stop here on your way to Shigatse. Transport: shared-car day trips cost about 150–250 CNY per person, and a private car costs about 600–900 CNY per vehicle. There are also buses from Lhasa to Nagarze, but they are not convenient for sightseeing. Notes: Kamba La Pass is at 5,030 metres with strong winds, so don't stay too long. The mountain roads have many switchbacks, so bring motion-sickness medicine if needed. Animals for photos at the lake and pass are operated by herders, so agree on the price first. Do not leave litter at the lake. The water is sacred, so do not swim in it. It is recommended to acclimatize in Lhasa for at least 1–2 days before going.

Yamdrok Lake

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