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. Lake Namtso is located in Nagqu Prefecture, about 260 kilometers from Lhasa City and 60 kilometers from Damxung County. From Damxung to Lake Namtso, you have to drive on a gravel road and climb over a snow mountain. In the rainy season, the road, which may be destroyed the heavy rain, will make it difficult for the minibuses with low chassis to drive on.
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.
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