Situated in between Damxung County and Baingoin County in the Tibet Autonomous Region, Nam-tso Lake is an impressive mountainous area of water that is a popular tourist attraction.
At an elevation of 15,479 feet, Nam-tso Lake is the highest salt-water lake in the world and the largest saltwater lake in the Tibet Autonomous Region. The body of water covers an area of 757 square miles and is considered one of the three holy lakes in Tibet.
The crystal clear water maintains its levels from rainfall and also melting snowfall from the surrounding mountains. There are five islands in the lake, which are used as a spiritual retreat during the winter months when pilgrims cross the frozen lake carrying only their food and shelter.
There are some Buddhist attractions including the Tashi Dor Monastery and Zhaxi Temple, which attract thousands of Buddhist pilgrims every Tibetan year of the sheep. The followers walk around the lake clockwise in order to receive blessings and good luck from the gods.
Getting There & Away
With no direct buses to Nam-tso Lake the only way to get there is by private car, taxi or mini bus from the Lhasa, which is 70 miles away. Lhasa is home to an airport with flights arriving from most major cities in the region. Daily flights from Beijing to Lhasa are available and typically take around 4 hours. Long distance buses and trains are also an option for traveling to Lhasa.