Atlas of China
Namtso Lake 纳木错Nàmù Cuò
A vast turquoise sky lake at 4,700 metres beneath the Nyenchen Tanglha range
- Best time
- May–Oct
- Time needed
- 1–2 days
- Days to budget
- 1½ days
- Stay in
- Lhasa
- Region
- Tibet
- Type
- Nature
- Listed as
- 4A scenic area
Why go to Namtso Lake
Namtso is one of Tibet's great sacred lakes, a huge sheet of salty turquoise water at about 4,700 metres beneath the snowy Nyenchen Tanglha range. Most visitors head for the Tashi Dor peninsula on the south-eastern shore, where prayer flags stream over rocky outcrops riddled with hermits' caves.
The story
Pilgrims walk the lake's full circuit, a journey of many days, and making it in the Tibetan Year of the Sheep is believed to bring special merit.
What to see at Namtso Lake
- Largen La pass 那根拉山口: The high pass on the road from Lhasa, above 5,100 m, hung with prayer flags and the first place you see the lake and the Nyenchen Tanglha range.
- Tashi Dor peninsula 扎西半岛: The main viewing area on the south-eastern shore, a limestone peninsula with rock formations, caves and sacred stones where prayer flags flutter.
- Tashi Dor Monastery 扎西寺: A small monastery on the peninsula whose rooftop gives views of the lake and the snow peaks, and the starting point of the Namtso circuit pilgrimage.
- Nyenchen Tanglha range 念青唐古拉山: The snowy range that backs the southern shore; the peaks are reflected in the lake in calm weather and are worshipped as a deity.
How to visit Namtso Lake
Most agencies run Namtso as a long day trip from Lhasa, driving over Largen La, spending a couple of hours on the Tashi Dor peninsula and returning the same day. An overnight stay lets you walk the peninsula and see the lake at sunrise and sunset, when crowds thin; the weather can turn very quickly, so keep layers handy.
How to get to Namtso Lake
Namtso is about four hours' drive north of Lhasa over the Largen La pass, at more than 5,000 m; agencies run it as a long day trip or with an overnight stay.
Where to stay
Stay in the simple guesthouses at Tashi Dor if you want sunrise at the lake, accepting basic rooms and cold nights; otherwise return to Lhasa, or use the town of Damxung on the way as a lower base.
What to eat
- Yak butter tea 酥油茶: Hot tea churned with yak butter and salt, served everywhere on the plateau and more of a warming broth than a tea.
- Thukpa 土巴: A hearty Tibetan noodle soup, often with yak meat, found on breakfast menus and in tea houses.
- Tibetan sweet tea 甜茶: Milky, sugared black tea served in the city's tea houses, the usual companion to a bowl of noodle soup.
Tips for visiting Namtso Lake
- Foreign visitors need a Tibet Travel Permit and must travel with a licensed agency and guide.
- Go only after a few days acclimatising in Lhasa; the lake sits about 1,000 m higher than the city.
- Bring warm layers, sunglasses and lip balm, as the weather turns quickly at this altitude.
Trips with Namtso Lake
- Tibet: Lhasa, Namtso and Everest Base Camp 7 days · Lhasa and Shigatse
On the map
Open Namtso Lake on the illustrated map to see the terrain around it, what else is close, and to add it to a trip and plan the days.
Open Namtso Lake on the map