Lake Namtso means holy lake in the Tibetan language. With over 30 kilometers from north to south and over 70 kilometers from east to west, Lake Namtso covers a total area of more than 1,900 square kilometers, being the second largest salt lake in China. At an elevation of 4,718 meters, it is also the highest-altitude salt lake in the world, the furthest depth being more than 33 meters. The water in the lake for the most part arises from rains, melted ice and snow of Nyenchen Tonglha Mountains and the inflow of crooks and streams, hence the lake is very clear and limpid. With the lake surface assuming sky blue, the lake and the sky seem to be one and undivided, which may make visitors feel themselves in a fairy land if they have a stroll by the lake. History and legend In the late third century and the early fourth century, Lake Namtso dented to be a huge basin as a result of the Himalayas movement. Later, as the climate of Tibetan Plateau became drier and drier, the size of Namtso decreased drastically to be what it is now. Now the beaches of the lake are a beautiful natural pasture, offering ideal condition for animal husbandry.
In Nov. 14, 2005, Namtso Lake in the Tibet Autonomous Region was selected as one of the five most beautiful lakes in China by Chinese National Geography magazine. Namtso Lake's touching beauty should not be missed by any traveler who visits Tibet. Its purity and solemnness are symbols of Qinghai-Tibet Platean. In Tibetan, Namtso means 'Heavenly Lake.' It is considered one of the three holy lakes in Tibet.
Namtso Lake maintains its levels from rainfall and melted snow flowing from high mountains. Five islands stand in the waters of the lake, among which the largest one is Liangduo island. In addition another five bylands stretch into the lake from different directions. Zhaxi byland is the largest in area of these five. A great many bizarre stone peaks can be found on this byland. Some of them are like trunks; some look like human beings; some resemble trees. Various kinds of vivid shapes can easily arouse your imagination. At the same time there are many quiet grottos which are masterpieces of nature. Some grottos are narrow and long like subways; some are full of stalactites; still, others are like louvers. Queer rocks, steep peaks, natural stone ladders and other landform wonders on Zhaxi byland present visitors a picture filled with mystery and enchantment.
Summer is the best time for Namtso Lake. Wild yaks, hares and other wild animals leisurely look for food along the expansive lake shores; countless migratory birds fly here to lay eggs and feed their young; sometimes lovely fishes in the lake jump out of the lake water, enjoying the warmth of the sunshine; sheep and cows herds are like flowing white blanks on the green grassland which can stretch as far as your eyes can see; the dulcet songs of Gauchos resound through the valleys. This time of the year Namtso Lake is full of life and activity. Therefore it is no wonder Tibetans take Namtso Lake the symbol of goodliness and happiness. Really Namtso Lake is a blessing from nature.
According to the Buddhist followers, when the Tibetan Year of the Sheep comes, Buddha and Bodhisattva will hold Buddhist rites on Lake Namtso. If a follower of Buddhism comes to walk and patter around the lake only once in this year, he will be much more blessed than he does so for ten thousand times in other years.
So in the Tibetan Year of the Sheep, numerous Buddhist monks and believers trudge all the way from other places to Lake Namtso, feeling satisfied, comfortable and happy after taking ritual walks around the lake only once. This activity, lasting for as long as several months, usually reaches its climax on April 15 in the Tibetan Year of the Sheep, when the Buddhist followers come and go in large numbers.
Getting there: There are no direct buses to Namtso Lake. The best way is to hire a taxi or a mini bus from Lhasa.
Note: The sea level is 1100 meters (about 1203 yards) higher than that of Lhasa, therefore please bring lots of water and don't over-exert yourself.
Admission Fee: CNY 80
Tips:
Besides Lake Namtso, you can also visit Namtso Grassland, which is enchanting with its vastness, herders camps and countless flocks and herds. In the caves at the foot of the hill on Zatsi Island in Lake Namtso, there live many lamas who are practicing Buddhism with the support of local Tibetans.
It should be interesting to visit those lamas if you take a trip to Lake Namtso. There are no hotels by Lake Namtso. But in the tourist season, the local villagers will set up a lot of distinctly Tibetan camp hostels for tourists, charging prices ranging from 25 yuan to 100 yuan for a bed per day. But if you suffer from Altitude Sickness and don t recover completely, you d better not lodge by Lake Namtso, which is situated at a high altitude and may worsen your sickness.