Lake Namtso
Lake Namtso
4.5
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
About
Namtso was born in the Paleogene age, as a result of Himalayan tectonic plate movements. The lake lies at an elevation of 4,718 m (15,479 ft), and has a surface area of 1,920 km2 (740 sq mi). 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 (620 mi) to the north-east in Qinghai.
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4.5
310 reviews
Excellent
236
Very good
52
Average
13
Poor
5
Terrible
4
KodoDrummer
Buenos Aires, Argentina70,624 contributions
Oct 2020
On our visit, many were at this Tibetan mountain lake to pray at this sacred lake. They feel it is a place of rebirth and to be re-energized by the breath-taking heavenly views and tranquil peace. I enjoyed seeing the yaks, and once again rode one. A couple were having their wedding photos taken.
Written 12 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Weak Knee Traveler
Singapore, Singapore12,833 contributions
Jun 2019 • Couples
We were lucky to have good weather upon reaching this largest salt lake in Tibet. This place is stunning with the mountains as the backdrop. Nice to stroll along the lake for at least an hour. A must visit when in Tibet.
Written 30 May 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tibet Mountain Focus outdoors
Lhasa, China147 contributions
Apr 2019
One of the most beautiful lake in Tibet, its good idea to drive around and it takes about 2 days with some trekking and some driving.
Written 14 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Indumati M
Vladivostok, Russia4 contributions
Oct 2013 • Friends
Amazing Namtso Lake! This jewel is hidden behind a high mountain pass. You will see a divine combination of white and blue colors. Soft snow-covered hills, natural caves in which built a small monostyr. In the water of the lake you can see the reflection of your soul. It is a sacred lake for Tibetan people.
Written 2 February 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jlg84
Beijing21 contributions
We stayed overnight at the tent compound on the lake in late July and were FREEZING most of the time. It was rainy season, and we arrived and departed in steady rainstorms, though there was a couple of hours in the middle of the day with nice, sunny weather that prompted us to shed layers of clothes. If you are not up for a bit of roughing-it, definitely consider only coming for the day and staying in town at Damxung, since the conditions are pretty basic, especially the toilets. There is no heat in the tents, very limited electricity, and no running water anywhere. But the scenery is beautiful.
Written 31 July 2007
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
noelleung
Hong Kong, China18 contributions
Aug 2012 • Friends
It's a beautiful lake more than looking like a mirror. Lake itself and the surrounding such as snow mountain range, blue sky and sandy beach etc are so attractive and wonderful to take photos.
Hate the crowds and the rude maner of the horse riding business group who spoit the quiet and beautity of nature. Avoid the horse riding
Beware of the charges although they are standard now. They charged RMB20 from the starting of path down to the beach edge with a small sign and total distance is less than 100m distance. My walking time about 10 min. Then other RMB10 from the beach edge onto the beach. So they charged RMB30 from my friend and she didnot know that it was an other charge to be on the beach just 5 m from the sign for photos.
Prepare long travel hours to there from Lhasa city, about 9 hours for to and return, but worth to spend a day.
Not recommend to stay there because the condition of accomodation and restaurant was not so satifactory and over-charged.
Hate the crowds and the rude maner of the horse riding business group who spoit the quiet and beautity of nature. Avoid the horse riding
Beware of the charges although they are standard now. They charged RMB20 from the starting of path down to the beach edge with a small sign and total distance is less than 100m distance. My walking time about 10 min. Then other RMB10 from the beach edge onto the beach. So they charged RMB30 from my friend and she didnot know that it was an other charge to be on the beach just 5 m from the sign for photos.
Prepare long travel hours to there from Lhasa city, about 9 hours for to and return, but worth to spend a day.
Not recommend to stay there because the condition of accomodation and restaurant was not so satifactory and over-charged.
Written 24 September 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Learmonth09
Edinburgh30 contributions
Aug 2011 • Couples
Beautiful scenery if you get good weather. Journey from Lhasa (4-5 hours each way) is also very interesting. Popular with Chinese tourists and quite crowded in August. Some problem with nomads begging. Make sure you are properly acclimatised to the altitude in Lhasa before you go - Namtso is much higher. Take warm clothes. The hutted accommodation provided is very basic and the toilet facilities pretty disgusting and shared with the nomads. For this reason and because of the difficulty of sleeping at this altitude, we would recommend NOT staying overnight.
Written 12 September 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
olevia_explorer
Singapore, Singapore1,048 contributions
Oct 2016 • Friends
Last year, a group of five of us went to Tibet for 18 days, covering a great number of attractions in Tibet. We visited Xining, Qinghai Lake, Potala Palace, Ningtri (LinZhi), Lake Namtso, Lake Yamdruk as well as the Mt Everest Base Camp.
It was a wonderful trip with glittering alpine lakes, encroaching glacier, lush green meadows, ancient monasteries, and great Buddhist heritage.
We started our trip from Xining, as it has a much lower altitude at about 2,000m compared to the average altitude of Tibet at 3,500m. Our intention is to help break the journey and to better acclimatize for the trip. The other reason for starting there is to take the Qinghai-Tibet train into Lhasa.
I would highlight a few things about my trip. Ningtri (LinZhi) is beautiful and worth the trip. Take note that if you travel there in February, you could see cherry blossom.
Was very glad we decided to stay overnight in Lake Namtso, as we had seen one of the most glorious sunsets in our lives. However, I must tell you that the conditions of the guest houses there are very basic, as there is no attached bathroom in the rooms. The toilet is built outside of the big house, with the old bucket system.
The other main experience on our trip is the camping tents we stayed overnight nearby Lake Yamdrok. That night, there was a huge thunderstorm, and when I came out of the tent to go to the toilet, there was snow everywhere. The altitude of Lake Yamdrok is 4,400 m.
Do not miss the overnight train on the Qinghai- Tibet Service. You will see different types of landscape, including permafrost, before arriving in Lhasa. This is considered one of the major engineering feats in the whole world.
Mt Everest Base Camp has an altitude of 5,200 m above sea level. The roads in Tibet are now very nicely paved tarmac road. We travel in our jeep all the way the last check point, before changing into the tourists' bus for the final leg of the journey, right to the Base Camp. So, it is not difficult at all.
Last of all, I like to remind those who intend to travel there, to pay particular attention to the altitude and understand about this acute mountain sickness (AMS). The air is thin, and it is important to drink lots of water and go slow when arriving in Lhasa (3,600m). Do read up more and start to get involved in some exercises, brisk walking to prepare for the trip.
It was a wonderful trip with glittering alpine lakes, encroaching glacier, lush green meadows, ancient monasteries, and great Buddhist heritage.
We started our trip from Xining, as it has a much lower altitude at about 2,000m compared to the average altitude of Tibet at 3,500m. Our intention is to help break the journey and to better acclimatize for the trip. The other reason for starting there is to take the Qinghai-Tibet train into Lhasa.
I would highlight a few things about my trip. Ningtri (LinZhi) is beautiful and worth the trip. Take note that if you travel there in February, you could see cherry blossom.
Was very glad we decided to stay overnight in Lake Namtso, as we had seen one of the most glorious sunsets in our lives. However, I must tell you that the conditions of the guest houses there are very basic, as there is no attached bathroom in the rooms. The toilet is built outside of the big house, with the old bucket system.
The other main experience on our trip is the camping tents we stayed overnight nearby Lake Yamdrok. That night, there was a huge thunderstorm, and when I came out of the tent to go to the toilet, there was snow everywhere. The altitude of Lake Yamdrok is 4,400 m.
Do not miss the overnight train on the Qinghai- Tibet Service. You will see different types of landscape, including permafrost, before arriving in Lhasa. This is considered one of the major engineering feats in the whole world.
Mt Everest Base Camp has an altitude of 5,200 m above sea level. The roads in Tibet are now very nicely paved tarmac road. We travel in our jeep all the way the last check point, before changing into the tourists' bus for the final leg of the journey, right to the Base Camp. So, it is not difficult at all.
Last of all, I like to remind those who intend to travel there, to pay particular attention to the altitude and understand about this acute mountain sickness (AMS). The air is thin, and it is important to drink lots of water and go slow when arriving in Lhasa (3,600m). Do read up more and start to get involved in some exercises, brisk walking to prepare for the trip.
Written 26 September 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Scott5297
UK139 contributions
Apr 2011 • Couples
We visited Namtso in April 2011.
It was about 4.5 hours drive. It is a perplexing experience trying to get near Namtso. When you get near to it it seems so close, yet still so far away. The road that gets you there is not particularly direct and you drive for much longer than expected to finally arrive.
Anyway, when you get there you can really enjoy it. It is very beautiful. The lake was frozen into a white sea of crystallised water framed by beautiful snow-capped mountains in one direction and blue sky in another.
Take the time to absorb the atmosphere when you are there. Namtso is revered by Tibetan Buddhists; some of which will WALK there from neighbouring Sichuan province (that is a long way by car, not to mention by foot).
It is a sight to behold and an achievement to savour. When will you go back? Maybe never??
Wrap up warm, especially if you go in April like we did. The air was bitingly cold but the sun was of laser-like intensity. Wear some good winter clothing and you will not want to leave the place... Where else on Planet Earth can you see such an eye-pleasingly stupendous place?
Tibet grows on visitors. It is a bit tough while you are there - the thin air, the dry air, the brutal sun, the bone-numbing cold, the breathtaking effort needed to do anything.
When you have seen sights like Namtso you will not forget. Don't miss it!
It was about 4.5 hours drive. It is a perplexing experience trying to get near Namtso. When you get near to it it seems so close, yet still so far away. The road that gets you there is not particularly direct and you drive for much longer than expected to finally arrive.
Anyway, when you get there you can really enjoy it. It is very beautiful. The lake was frozen into a white sea of crystallised water framed by beautiful snow-capped mountains in one direction and blue sky in another.
Take the time to absorb the atmosphere when you are there. Namtso is revered by Tibetan Buddhists; some of which will WALK there from neighbouring Sichuan province (that is a long way by car, not to mention by foot).
It is a sight to behold and an achievement to savour. When will you go back? Maybe never??
Wrap up warm, especially if you go in April like we did. The air was bitingly cold but the sun was of laser-like intensity. Wear some good winter clothing and you will not want to leave the place... Where else on Planet Earth can you see such an eye-pleasingly stupendous place?
Tibet grows on visitors. It is a bit tough while you are there - the thin air, the dry air, the brutal sun, the bone-numbing cold, the breathtaking effort needed to do anything.
When you have seen sights like Namtso you will not forget. Don't miss it!
Written 13 June 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Patty6-13
Davis, CA521 contributions
Jun 2017 • Friends
This is a beautiful, mildly salty & sacred lake about a 5 hour drive from Lhasa depending on traffic. It is the largest lake in Tibet approximately 70km by 30 km at an altitude of 15,551 feet. The road there climbs thru a canyon to an elevation of 17,028 feet at LaGhen La Pass. You will see many nomad herds of yak and sheep as well as summer residences of the nomads themselves. We stayed at the lake over night at a hotel it is hard to recommend, the God Sheep Hotel which is little more than camping out in a tin shed. The one good thing they had was electric bed warmers since there was no heat and it was freezing cold. There is no bathroom, just an open to the sky outhouse on a platform about 6 steps up. Many Chinese guests were brushing teeth & washing up at a water tank outside. Right behind our room was a pen for 2 mastiff dogs who barked all night long. The walls were so thin you could hear the people breathing in the next room. When it rained our roof leaked right over the table where our camera batteries were being charged, not a safe situation. Breakfast was Chinese but we managed to get 2 hard boiled eggs each, one of which we had to pay extra for!
It is very hard to breath here in the thin air & a short walk down to the lake was enough for me. However, none of us got altitude sickness & our driver commented that were are very strong for senior citizens!
It is very hard to breath here in the thin air & a short walk down to the lake was enough for me. However, none of us got altitude sickness & our driver commented that were are very strong for senior citizens!
Written 28 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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