Lake Namtso

Introducing Lake Namtso
Lake Namtso is the most romantic lake in Tibet and the scenery there is very beautiful. Lhamo Nhatso means auspicious heavenly mother lake or numinous mother lake in Tibetan and another name for it is Qiongguoje Lake. Standing on the mountain top as high as 5,100 meters and looking down, the holy lake is surrounded by mountains. Lake Namtso takes a head bones skeleton shape like a mirror at the foot of the mountains and the scenery is elegant.

Lake Namtso Fast Facts
• Chinese Name: Na Mu Cuo 纳木错
• Best Time to Visit: May to September
• Recommended Visiting Hours: About half day to 1 day
• Things to Do: Photography, Nature, Buddhist Culture
• Opening Hours: All day
• Entrance Fee: CNY 120 from May to Oct; CNY 60 from Nov to Feb
• Address: Damxung County, Lhasa, Tibet

What to expect at Lake Namtso

Lake Namtso is a high mountain freshwater lake with an area of about 1 square kilometers. Lake Namtso surface keeps on freezing up about 7 months. When in summer, after Lake Namtso is thawing, the lake sometimes is as still and clear as a mirror; sometimes red clouds are gathering in the sky and there are waves without wind. Strange sounds are heard now and then and various fantastic scenes are appearing.

Though Lake Namtso is not large, it stands in a special position in reincarnation system of Tibetan Buddhism and Lake Namtso is revered by Buddhists. Every year those who are looking for the successors of Dalai Lama and Panchen Lamas after they pass away must go there, because their reincarnation could be found after seen in Lake Namtso. Every April to June of Tibetan calendar, numerous Buddhist devotees make a pilgrimage here and observe the wonderful sights. It is said different people see the same sight may get different views. It is also said that people can see their future life from the reflections of the lake. The 4th year of ZhengDe, Ming Dynasty (1509AD), Qukejiesi was built nearby by Gedun Gyatso, the Second Dalai Lama, which added more views to the unique views of the plateau.

How to get to Lake Namtso
• Lake Namtso is approximately 240km away from Lhasa. There are no direct buses to the lake.
• Rent a car/bus from GGC to enjoy a hassle free private transfer from hotels in Lhasa to Lake Namtso.

Additional travel advice on Lake Namtso
• The weather is changeable, and it often rains, hail or snow in this area. Please prepare warm clothes and rain coat along with you.
• Sunglasses and sun cream are always needed to protect from the sunburn and strong ultraviolet radiation in the daytime.
• There are dressed yaks and sheep led by local Tibetan. It charges to take photos with yaks or sheep.