Namtso Lake 纳木错 Travel Guide

Namtso Lake is a mountain lake on the border between Damxung County of Lhasa Prefecture and Baingoin County of Nagqu Prefecture. The lake lies at an elevation of 4,718 m, and has a surface area of 1,920 square kilometres. This salt lake is the largest lake in the Tibet Autonomous Region. However, it is not the largest lake on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. That title belongs to Qinghai Lake (more than twice the size of Namtso) which lies more than 1,000 km [650 miles] to the north-east, in China’s Qinghai province. Namtso lake is a worthwhile overnight trip from either Lhasa or Shigatse.

The mountain and lake scenery here is some of Tibet’s finest making the long journey well worth it.

The lake is considered the most beautiful of Tibet’s mountain lakes with the mountain backdrop being particularly attractive. Namtso is over 1,000 meters higher than Lhasa so you need to acclimatise a few days in Lhasa before continuing on to the lake as you need to stay overnight here – it is too far to be visited as a day trip from Lhasa.

Popular both as a side trip from Lhasa as well as part of a more extensive Tibet itinerary a trip to this often overlooked destination is well worth the time and expense.

There is basic accommodation at the lake itself or slightly less basic options in a nearby town. You will need to spend at least one night at the lake as it is not possible to visit Namsto as a day trip from Lhasa.

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By Phil Stanley & Headseast – TCTC Destination Expert.