The beautiful scenery of Rawu Lake

July,28 2016 BY Master Catherine Jigme 0 COMMENTS

Rawu Lake is the largest lake in eastern Tibet with an area of 22 square kilometers. It is located between Baxoi County in Chamdo Prefecture and Pome County in Nyingchi Prefecture. At an elevation of 3,807 meters, the lake is 26 kilometers long. You will be shocked by the first glimpse of bluish water of the lake. In clear weather, the surface of the lake becomes a mirror of surrounding snow-capped mountains. You can get a visual feast of Rawu Lake just through the window.

The biggest advantage of Rawu is that it is next to the National Road 318. It is very convenient for travelers to get and becomes a must-see attraction during your Tibet tour.

Soft grass looks like a green carpet, rhododendron is blooming, and large tracts of highland barley are growing yellow in summer. Besides splendid natural scenery, the human landscape is also nice subject for you. For example, farmlands, flocks of sheep, white towers, Marnyi Stones, prayer flags, gentle girls and so on. Rawu Lake itself is a fascinating picture, and the only thing you need to do is to capture different shades of blue in different light conditions.

( In the morning, Rawu Lake is just like a still mirror with the reflection of white cloud and surrounding mountains.)

Admission Fee
CNY 50 for ticket of Midui Glacier

Best Time to Go
You can actually visit Rawu Lake all year round except rainy season. It is a great time to appreciate Rawu Lake in the early spring (March to April) and late autumn (September to October). In spring, blossoming peach, clear water and blue sky present a vibrant scene of Rawu Lake. Summer is the rainy season and the lake water becomes very turbid, while the lake begins to freeze in winter. So the best time is in late autumn.

The scenery is most spectacular before and after sunrise within an hour. If you only have time in the afternoon, it is advised to shoot before sunset, when the angle of sunlight is not too low. It’s extremely difficult for you to get ideal light shadow after sunset because of backlighting.

Restaurant and Accommodation
There are many eateries in Rawu town with rich flavor of traditional Sichuan. You can choose to put no pepper if it is too pungent. Most eateries and accommodations can offer integration service. You can eat and stay at the same eatery. The Youthotel of Rawu is a base camp of travel companions and shutterbug and costs CNY20 each.
A Rawu style garden recently opened, which is located in the westernmost lakeside of Rawu. The normal price of standard room is CNY80 per room.

Shooting Location

1. Rancha Highway

Drive or walk towards Zay, and you can get a full view of Rawu Lake on the bridge or the nearby hill. Some shelves to dry highland barley can be seen at one kilometer away from the town. It is suitable to appreciate the characteristic morning scenery of snow-capped mountain and reflection on a peninsula. A swamp is located in the end of Rawu, where you can see the Mount Demula. The Tibetan villages, shelves, Snow Mountains and the lake constitute a harmonious dreamland.

( Photo shows the scenery of Rawu Lake beside National highway 318 in Baxoi County.)

2. Around Rawu town

If you plan to shoot only around Rawu, you should make full use of the time in the morning because of backlighting in the evening. In addition, you need to prepare a pair of hiking shoes with better waterproof protection. The reason is that there are marshland and soft sand on the lakeside.

( Photo shows the beautiful scenery of Rawu Lake in the morning, shot by Nikkor 50mm header.)

Photography Plan
Generally speaking, Rawu is a shoot place along Sichuan-Tibet highway. It is advised to arrive in Rawu in the afternoon and spend a night in the town. Thus you can make full use of the time in the morning and evening to gain ideal light and shadow.
If time permits, you can also walk deep to Midui Glacier and Rancha highway to explore the charming scenery. It is up to you to select an ideal angle to finish your photography and keep moving to another place in accordance with your schedule.

(The Holy Mountain, lake, Tibetan cottage and green highland barley field are made up a harmonious fairyland.)

Special Attention
1. You should wear a pair of hiking shoes with better waterproof protection in wetland and don’t walk too deep. If the nilas begin to melt, you need to hasten to go ashore.
2. You’d better find local people to lead the way if you plan to climb the hillside. Just remember to keep safe during your shooting.

About the Author - Master Catherine Jigme

With exceptional passion and outstanding leadership, Mrs. Catherine has dedicated herself to Tibet inbound tourism and China tour for 15 years. As one of the handful females who see great potential of Chinese inbound tourism, Catherine has made great contribution to promoting Tibet tourism and enhancing the employment of Tibetans and prosperity of local Tibetan community.

Over the years, she travelled overseas with Tibet Tourism Bureau many times to promote Tibet tourism. Currently, Catherine works as the marketing director of Tibet Vista, an opinion leader behind the whole team of Tibet Vista.

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