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Nam Co Lake纳木措
Namtso straddles Damxung County outside Lhasa and Bango County in Nagqu, and is Tibet's second-largest lake as well as the highest large lake in the world. Its Tibetan name means 'Heavenly Lake', and devout Buddhists revere its waters as nectar that washes away sin. To the southeast rises the perpetually snow-capped main peak of the Nyenchen Tanglha range, and the pairing of snow mountain and lake makes for an utterly magnificent scene.
Lhasa · Visitor Guide2026-10-19
Quick Answer
Is Nam Co Lake worth visiting?
Tibet's second-largest lake, at 4,718 m one of the highest in the world — a sacred lake of Tibetan Buddhism set against the Nyenchen Tanglha mountains.
Quick facts
| Ticket | CNY 120 in peak season; CNY 60 in low season |
|---|---|
| Hours | Daily 0:00-24:00 |
| Recommended duration | 1-2 days recommended |
| Best time to visit | May-Oct; the lakeside wildflowers are at their best in July-August |
| How to get there | Buses to Namtso leave from Lhasa's East Suburb Bus Station; drive the G109 Qinghai-Tibet highway to Damxung, then take the Namtso branch road |
| English signage | Partial |
| Wheelchair accessible | Partial |
| Lake surface elevation | 4,718 m |
| Surface area | 1,920 sq km |
| Maximum depth | 33 m |
| Status | Second-largest lake in Tibet |
| Type | Saltwater lake |
| Adjacent range | Nyenchen Tanglha mountains |
What to expect
Namtso is one of Tibet's most celebrated lakes. The water is a deep, limpid blue with the sky mirrored on its surface, and the Nyenchen Tanglha range in the distance completes the picture. Broad meadows run along the shore — in summer the grass is lush and wildflowers everywhere, with yaks and Tibetan sheep grazing at their leisure. Pilgrims hold Namtso to be holy ground, and each year great numbers come to circle the lake in prayer.
The main peak of Nyenchen Tanglha stands 7,111 m, snowbound year-round and often wreathed in cloud. Legend has it that the mountain and Namtso are lovers bound for life — the mountain shields the lake from wind, the lake adorns the mountain. At dawn the lake lies mirror-calm, and when sunrise spills gold across the snow peaks the sight is breathtaking.
The well-known Tashi Peninsula juts into the lake, dotted with natural caves and strangely shaped rocks. Its Praying Hands Rock — two boulders joined like pressed palms — is one of Namtso's signature sights. After dark the lake becomes a superb place for stargazing: the Milky Way is clearly visible and the sky doubles itself in the water, as if you were floating in space.
How to get there
Scheduled buses leave from Lhasa's East Suburb Bus Station (about 5 hours). Driving, take the G109 Qinghai-Tibet highway to Damxung, then the Namtso branch road (about 1.5 hours).
Best photo spots
- Lakeshore panoramas of Namtso
- Nyenchen Tanglha peaks framed against the lake
- The Praying Hands Rock on Tashi Peninsula
- Lakeside sunsets and starry skies
Tips
- The altitude is extreme (4,718 m) — acclimatize on arrival and avoid strenuous activity
- Weather shifts fast and mornings and evenings are cold; pack windproof, warm layers
- Lakeside lodging is basic; return to Lhasa the same day or stay in Damxung county town
- UV is ferocious — sun protection is essential
Scams to avoid
- No notable scams to worry about
Frequently asked questions
Will I get altitude sickness at Namtso?
At 4,718 m the lake sits a full 1,000 m higher than Lhasa, so altitude sickness is common. Spend 2-3 days acclimatizing in Lhasa first.
Can I drive to Namtso myself?
Yes, but you will want a four-wheel-drive — parts of the road are in poor condition.
Is one day enough?
It's tight. Two days is better: arrive on the afternoon of day one and return the next morning.
Read next
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Xizang (Tibet) Museum
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