Namtso Lake

Namtso Lake

Namtso Lake (Tibetan གནམ་མཚོ་) is one of Tibet’s most stunning and spiritually significant natural wonders. Namtso Lake is the second-largest saltwater lake in China and is located northwest of Lhasa and the distance between Lhasa and Lake Namtso is about 240Km. It is over 70Km long, reaches a width of 30Km and is 35m at its deepest point.

The lake resembles a miraculous shade of turquoise, with magnificent views of mighty peaks such as the snow-capped Nyenchen Tanglha and others that are over 7000 meters tall.

The lake is at 4730 meters above sea level so you will need to acclimatise in and around Lhasa for a few days before heading to this attraction. It is not unusual for visitors to get symptoms of altitude sickness on an overnight stay out at the Namtso lake. Around the main walk around route or kora path, there are a couple of hermitages which have for centuries been the destination of Tibetan pilgrims.