How Many Days Do you Need for a Visit to Namtso Lake?

The area of Namtso Lake is so vast that it can span across Damxung County of Lhasa and Bange County of Nagqu. The vastness of this lake also makes the northern and southern shores of the same lake look different.

1-Day Namtso Lake Tour from Lhasa

The southern shore of Namtso Lake belongs to Damxung County, Lhasa. Tourists departing from Lhasa usually head to the southern shore of Lake Namtso rather than the northern shore, as the former is at least one or two hours' drive shorter than the latter. In addition, the driving distance from Namtso Lake back to Lhasa also needs to be taken into account. If you want to depart from Lhasa to Lake Namtso and then return to Lhasa within one day, the southern shore is the best choice. Otherwise, the visiting time will be significantly shortened and you will be more tired.

Overall, this classic 250-kilometer route, which takes about 3 hours, starts from Lhasa, passes through the Damxung Grassland, crosses the Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains, stops at the Nagenla Pass at an altitude of 5,190 meters to enjoy the distant view of Namtso Lake, and then reaches the Tashi Peninsula on the southernern shore of Namtso Lake. Tashi Peninsula, covering an area of approximately 10 square kilometers, is the largest peninsula in Namtso Lake.

When you set foot in this place, you will find yourself surrounded by strangely shaped karst landform. Then, you can look for the most iconic landmark here called the Welcoming Stones, which are often hung with hadas and colorful prayer flags. More than that, the Welcoming Stones is located on the route for circumambulating Namtso Lake, being seen as a symbol of good fortune and auspiciousness. Take a few more steps to reach Tashi Dor Monastery, full of religious atmosphere. The cherished Buddha statues including Guru Padmasambhava enshrined in it all tell of the long and rich history of this Nyingma Sect monastery. This peninsula is beautiful enough for you to enjoy the interplay of snow-capped mountains, glaciers and lakes, large enough for you to find a secluded place to meditate quietly, or mysterious enough for you to start exploring the meditation caves once used by practitioners.

2-Day Namtso Tour from Shigatse

After witnessing the magnificence of Mount Everest in Shigatse, you might as well head north to Nagqu to see the boundless and ultimate vastness of northern Tibet. The high sky and wide earth here seem to be able to broaden one's mind as well. It takes two days to travel from Shigatse to the northern shore of Namtso Lake for a visit. The first day is a speeding journey across the northern Tibet grassland, namely the Qiangtang Grassland, to arrive in Bange County. This 9-hour road trip covering 550 kilometers will be relieved of fatigue by two restful stops. One stop will take you to rest and soak your feet in a natural hot spring, while another stop will show you the largest lake in Tibet, Seling Tso. All of these are a wonderful prelude for the visit to Namtso Lake tomorrow.

Staying at an oxygen-supplied hotel in Bange County makes an altitude of 4,700 meters a piece of cake. After a full night's rest, you only need to take a car for about 60 kilometers to reach the northern shore of Namtso Lake. The development level of the northern shore is not as high as that of the southern shore, but precisely because of this, you can feel that primitive beauty even more. The iconic attraction, the Holy Elephant Gate, is formed by weathered huge rocks in the shape of an elephant drawing water. The Sansheng Stones composed of three towering huge rocks nearby, symbolizes the eternity and loyalty of love. One of the most significant differences between the northern shore and the southern shore of Namtso Lake is that the northern shore is embraced by a gently extending grassland wetland, making it suitable for shooting sunrise, sunset, starry skies and panoramic views of the lake shore. After this day's itinerary is over, it is recommended to head to Damxung County, which is about 200 kilometers away, to enjoy higher-quality accommodation and prepare for the return journey to Lhasa.

Conclusion

The shoreline of Namtso Lake is approximately 300 kilometers long, which is also a direct manifestation of its vastness. Facing this second largest lake in Tibet, it's really necessary to carefully plan whether to go to the southern or the northern shores, or perhaps both. Come and listen to the advice of a professional consultant to help you make your final choice.