It lies at Nangartse County, located about 100 kilometers to the southwest of Lhasa. Dzaaling Yamdrok tso is normally first seen from the summit of the Kamba-la (4794m high). The lake lies several hundred metres below the road, and in clear weather is a fabulous shade of deep turquoise.

Yamdrok tso is a coiling, many armed body of water shaped like a scorion. It doubles back on itself on the western side, effectively creating a large island within its reaches. For Tibetans, it is one of the three holy lakes of Tibet, home to wrathful deities, and devout Tibetan pilgrims circumambulate the lake, a walk of around seven days.

The views of Yamdrok tso from Samding monastery are another highlight.