Ask a QuestionWhile planning to travel to Tibet, you should not miss the holy mountains and sacred lakes in Tibet. Here, TopChinaTravel would like to introduce the recommended lakes to visit in Tibet for you, each of them is the sacred lake that played an important role in local religious and legends. Come and travel with us, you will have chance to explore and appreciate the incomparable beauty of them, the most famous lakes in Tibet.
Altitude: 4,441 meters
Opening Hours: All day
Highlights: One of the Three Sacred Lakes in Tibet
Location: Langkazi County, Shannan, Tibet, China(About 120 kilometers from Lhasa, about 2 hours’ drive)
Yamdrok Lake is one of the three Holy Lakes in Tibet, along with Namtso Lake in Nagqu and Lake Manasarovar in Ngari. In Tibetan language, Yamdrok Lake means “jade lake” or “swam pool”.
Surrounded by grand snow-capped mountains, this lake is fed by numerous small streams. With an area of 621 square kilometers, this fan-shaped lake with vast lakeside grassland, is also a fertilized highland pasture. According to local mythology, Yamdrok Lake is the transformation of a goddess.
There are shoals of fish living in Yamdrok Yumtso lake, which are commercially exploited by local population. From April to October, fish caught from this lake are sold at markets in Lhasa. Besides, the lake's islands serve as rich pasture land to local herdmen.
It is also the largest water-bird habitat in Tibet. Take a visit to the lake, in the right time, you may have chance to see the graceful black-necked crane, swam and sand gull, etc.
Altitude: 4,718 meters
Opening Hours: All day
Highlights: One of the Three Sacred Lakes in Tibet
Location: About 250 kilometers from Lhasa(about 5-6 hours’ drive)
Namtso Lake is one of the three Holy Lakes in Tibet, along with Yamdrok Lake in Shannan and Lake Manasarovar in Ngari.
It is the largest lake in Tibet and due to it lies at an elevation of 4,718 m, it is also the highest lake of this kind on earth. In local legend, Namtso is the daughter of Sakra-devanam-Lndra and wife of the god of Mt. Nyainqentanglha.
It renowned as one of the most beautiful places in the Nyainqêntanglha mountain range with pure clean water which reflected the color of the sky. Thus the local people named it Nam as in Tibetan language, Nam means “Sky”.
Lake Manasarovar or Mapam Yumco is one of the 3 Holy Lakes in Tibet.
It is a fresh-water lake in Ngari, 2,000 km from Lhasa. It lies at 4,556 m above mean sea level, making it the highest fresh-water lake in the world. Like Mount Kailash, Lake Manasasarovar is a place of pilgrimage. It is believed that, bathing in the Manasa Sarovar and drinking its water can cleanse all sins.
The lake, in Hindu religious belief, the lake was first created in the mind of the Lord Brahma. It is also supposed to be the summer abode of swans. Considered as sacred birds, the swans represent wisdom and beauty. It attracts religious people from Tibet, India, Nepal, and the other neighboring countries.
Altitude: over 4,600 meters
Opening Hours: All day
Highlights: One of the largest lakes in Tibet and one of the sacred lakes in Tibet
Location: Nima County, Naqu, Tibet
Tangra Yumco Lake(当惹雍措) is one of the largest and deepest lakes in Tibet, which is also a sacred lake to local pilgrims in Tibet. Tangra Yumco Lake is a big lake shaped like a shoe sole and surrounded by mountains on three sides. There are seven snow-capped peaks of the Dargo Mountain, which look like seven neatly arranged pyramids. Some people think the sevens peaks of the snow-capped mountains look like seven giants with white hats standing side by side silently guarding Tangra Yumco Lake.
Regarded as holy mountain and sacred lake, many believers come here every year to make kora around the mountain and the Tangra Yumco Lake. There is a temple called Yuben Temple near the Tangra Yumco Lake, which is said to be one of the oldest temples in Tibet. There are four spring pools around Tangra Yumco Lake. It is said that if you bathe here, you can wash away sins and diseases.
Altitude: over 4,500 meters
Opening Hours: All day
Highlights: Mysterious lake in Tibet with deep spiritual and geographical significance
Location: Ngari Prefecture, Tibet(located near the Lake Manasarovar)
Lhanag-tso Lake(拉昂措), also known as Ghost Lake, is one of Tibet’s most mysterious lakes, which holds deep spiritual and geographical significance—especially for pilgrims visiting Mount Kailash. Lhanag-tso Lake is adjacent to the holy lake Manasarovar, and the zone between the two lakes is the only way which must be passed to enter and leave Pulan County. Lhanag-tso Lake is called Ghost Lake because it is not drinkable and there are few plants around the shore. According to textual research, Lhanag-tso Lake and Manasarovar were once connected, but they were divided into two lakes because of the decline of the lake surface. So far, there is still a river between the two lakes, and the water from the holy lake can flow into the Ghost Lake.
In Tibetan Buddhism, Lhanag-tso is associated with darkness, death, and wrathful deities, in contrast to the nearby Lake Manasarovar, which represents purity and life. Pilgrims often consider it a lake of visions or omens. It’s believed that visions seen in its still waters could predict one's karma or rebirth. Hindu pilgrims traditionally avoid bathing or drinking from it due to its ominous reputation.
Altitude: 3,490 meters
Opening Hours: All day
Highlights: one of the most beautiful and accessible alpine lakes in eastern Tibet
Location: Nyingchi Prefecture, Tibet Autonomous Region
Basom Lake, also spelled Basom Tso, Basum Lake, Basong Lake, is one of the most beautiful and accessible alpine lakes in eastern Tibet. It offers a unique combination of stunning natural scenery, rich Tibetan culture, and relatively easier travel compared to western Tibet's more remote regions. Basom Lake is about 120 kilometers from Nyingchi and 350 kilometers from Lhasa.
Basom Tso means turquoise lake in Tibetan. Covering an area about 27 square kilometers, it is one of the largest glacier freshwater barrier lakes in eastern Tibet. Basom Lake is surrounded by snow-capped mountains all the year round, with dense forests and a wide variety of animals and plants. Because of the relatively low altitude, mild climate and the continuous flow of rivers into the lake, the Basom Lake is not frozen all year round.
With an elevation of 3,490 meters, Basom Lake is more friendly for travelers. The breathtaking scenery of Basom Lake offers photography opportunities. With silent atmosphere, you can relax yourselves and immerse yourselves into the wonderful views here. And you may meet pilgrims blessing or meditate here.
Altitude: 3,850 meters
Opening Hours: All day
Highlights: one of the most famous fresh water lakes in eastern Tibet
Location: Basu County, Changdu, Tibet(西藏昌都市八宿县境内)
Ranwu Lake(然乌湖) is called Ranwu Tso in Tibetan, which means sheep milk lake. It is named because its lake is milky white and looks like goat milk. Ranwu Lake is one of the most famous fresh water lakes in eastern Tibet. Ranwu Lake consists of three connected lakes, namely Yangcuo Lake(Upper Ranwu Lake), Bangcuo Lake(Middle Ranwu Lake) and Leng 'an Jiabu Lake.
Ranwu Lake is one of the most stunning and underrated gems in eastern Tibet, located along the scenic Sichuan-Tibet Highway (G318). It's known for its pristine natural beauty, glacier-fed waters and vibrant seasonal colors.
Since there are three lakes of Ranwu Lake, you can choose which lake to visit. There is viewing platform at Ranwu Lake, where you can have a panoramic view of the lake, surrounding snow mountains, lush pine forests and alpine meadows. Ranwu Lake is always beautiful in different seasons: green in summer, golden in autumn and white in winter.
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