Namtso
One of Tibet's three great sacred lakes, a 'heavenly lake' at 4,718 m that mirrors the Nyainqentanglha snow peaks; watch sunrise and stars from Tashi Peninsula.
Namtso lies on the border of Damxung County in Lhasa and Banggoi County in Nagqu, Tibet. Its surface is at about 4,718 m and it covers about 1,920 square km, making it the second-largest lake in Tibet and one of the highest large saltwater lakes in the world. Its Tibetan name means 'Heavenly Lake', and together with Yamdrok Tso and Lake Manasarovar it is counted among Tibet's three great sacred lakes. On its southern shore, the main peak of the Nyainqentanglha range rises to 7,162 m, and the mountain and lake are known together as the 'sacred mountain and holy lake'. The main sightseeing area centers on Tashi Peninsula on the lake's southeastern shore (the Prayer-hands Rock, Tashi Dor Monastery, the lake circuit path, sunrise, sunset and stargazing); the Sacred Elephant Gate on the northwestern shore is a newer viewing area. On the way you can stop at the Yangbajing geothermal hot springs, the Nyainqentanglha viewpoint and the Damxung grasslands, and cross the 5,190 m Nagenla Pass. Climate: cold and alpine; in summer daytime temperatures are about 10–15°C and nights approach 0°C. May–Oct is the main season, and Jun–Sep has the bluest water, but Jul–Aug is the rainy season with cloudy afternoons; in winter the lake freezes and the scenic area may close or restrict access, so check announcements from Damxung County and the scenic area before you go. Getting there: about 240 km from Lhasa, with no direct public transport; most people take a shared car or charter a day trip (about 4–5 hours one way), and you can also stay a night in Damxung town or on Tashi Peninsula to see the stars and sunrise; Damxung Station on the Qinghai–Tibet Railway is about 1.5 hours' drive from the lake. Suggested duration: 1–2 days, and be sure to acclimatize in Lhasa for 2–3 days first. Note: the whole route is at 4,300–5,190 m, so the risk of altitude sickness is high; walk slowly, carry oxygen, and descend immediately if symptoms are severe; UV is extremely strong and the lakeside is windy and cold, so even in summer you need a down jacket; respect religious customs by circling the lake clockwise and not climbing on mani stone piles; foreign visitors must obtain the required Tibet entry permit and travel with a tour group.
Top sights
- Namtso Lake – The 'Heavenly Lake' at 4,718 meters, one of Tibet's three sacred lakes. The Nyainqentanglha snow peaks are reflected in its impossibly blue…
- Tashi Dor Peninsula – A limestone peninsula stretching into Namtso from its southeastern shore, dotted with Praying Hands Stones, mani cairns, and meditation cav…
- Tashi Dor Monastery – A small monastery built into a cave at the foot of a hill on the Tashi Peninsula. It is an important stop for pilgrims circling Namtso, wit…
- Shengxiang Tianmen (Holy Elephant Gate) – A lakeside rock formation on Namtso's northwest shore. A boulder shaped like an elephant drinking from the lake stands against the deep blu…
- Largen La Pass – The mountain pass that every trip from Damxung to Namtso must cross, at 5,190 m. Prayer flags fill the air, and on clear days you can see N…
- Nyenchen Tanglha Viewpoint – A viewpoint beside the Qinghai-Tibet Highway for gazing at the main peak of Nyenchen Tanglha (7,162 m), with snow peaks, glaciers and the D…
- Damxung Grassland – A high-altitude pastureland at the foot of the Nyenchen Tanglha Range, dotted with yaks and black tents. Damxung County town is the supply…
- Yangbajain Geothermal Hot Springs – China's most famous geothermal field, with steam rising at the foot of snow mountains and open-air high-altitude hot springs to soak in. It…
Itineraries
- Lhasa, Shannan, Yamdrok Tso & Namtso – Travel outward from Lhasa to Shannan and two sacred lakes, covering the cradle of Tibetan civilization while skipping E…
- Qinghai-Tibet Highway: Xining to Lhasa – Follow the Qinghai-Tibet Highway across Hoh Xil and the Tanggula Pass, passing Namtso to enter Lhasa.
- Ngari Loop: Mount Kailash Kora, Guge Kingdom, and Northern Route – Depart from Lhasa to visit Mount Everest, complete the Mount Kailash Kora, explore the Guge Kingdom and Pangong Tso, an…