Namtso is located approximately 260km northwest of Lhasa and 60km from Damxung County. Its touching beauty should not be missed by any traveler who visits Tibet. Its purity and solemnness are symbols of Qinghai-Tibet Platean. In Tibetan, Namtso means 'Heavenly Lake.' It is considered one of the three holy lakes in Tibet. Namtso is famous for its high altitude (4720 meters), vast area (1961 square kilometers) and beautiful scenery.

Being the second largest saltwater lake in China only after Qinghai Lake, Namtso Lake is the biggest lake throughout Tibet. Meanwhile, it is the highest altitude saltwater lake in the world. The water here is a storybook crystal-clear blue. Clear skies join the surface of the lake in the distance, creating an integrated, scenic vista. Soul of every visitor who has ever been here seems to be cleansed by the pure lake water.

Namtso Lake maintains its levels from rainfall and melted snow flowing from high mountains. Five islands stand in the waters of the lake, among which the largest one is Liangduo island. In addition another five bylands stretch into the lake from different directions. Tashi byland is the largest in area of these five. A great many bizarre stone peaks can be found on this byland. Some of them are like trunks; some look like human beings; some resemble trees. Various kinds of vivid shapes can easily arouse your imagination. At the same time there are many quiet grottos which are masterpieces of nature. Some grottos are narrow and long like subways; some are full of stalactites; still, others are like louvers. Queer rocks, steep peaks, natural stone ladders and other landform wonders on Tashi byland present visitors a picture filled with mystery and enchantment.

Summer is the best time for Namtso Lake. Wild yaks, hares and other wild animals leisurely look for food along the expansive lake shores; countless migratory birds fly here to lay eggs and feed their young; sometimes lovely fishes in the lake jump out of the lake water, enjoying the warmth of the sunshine; sheep and cows herds are like flowing white blanks on the green grassland which can stretch as far as your eyes can see; the dulcet songs of Gauchos resound through the valleys. This time of the year Namtso Lake is full of life and activity. Therefore it is no wonder Tibetans take Namtso the symbol of goodliness and happiness. Really Namtso is a blessing from nature.

Besides the beautiful scenery in Namtso, it is also a famous sacred Buddhist place. There is a Tashi Dor Monastery in Tashi byland. In every Tibetan sheep year, thousands of Buddhism pilgrims will come here to worship. As a rule, they will walk clockwise along the Namtso Lake in order to receive the blessing of the gods.

The entrance ticket costs 80RMB per person, you need to buy it before cross the Largen-La pass. There is no any public bus to Namtso, you only can take a bus to Dumxung County, then rent a another minivan to Namtso. Or you can rent a Landcruiser or Minivan to Namtso via Yangbachen hot-spring from Lhasa. At Namtso, the accommodation only offered is tent guesthouse, or you can bring your own tent and sleeping bag.

Namtso Lake can be visited from early April to late Oct.

Price for the Ticket: 80RMB per person