Namtso Lake Maps

Believed to be one of the three foremost sacred lakes in Tibet, Namtso Lake, to the majority of global tourists, undoubtedly remains a highlight for Tibet tour. The surrealistic lake view against the backdrop of miles of lofty mountain ranges, notably known as Nyenchen Tanglha Range, simply defies human description. Only when you stroll along the lakeside while enjoying the lake so up-close can you fully
understand the holiness and beauty of Namtso Lake. (Tips: the other two equally important lakes are Yamdrok Lake and Manasarovar Lake.)

Namtso Lake Location Map

(Simple click to enlarge the map)
Namtso Lake Location Map

As the second-largest saline lake in Tibet( the biggest saline one is Qinghai Lake) , some of Namtso Lake Facts are worth knowing:
Lhasa to Namtso Lake Distance: around 240km northwest of Lhasa, on the border between Damxung County and Baingoin County
Namtso Altitude: 4718m
Namtso Size: with a surface area of 1,920 square kilometers
Namtso Temperature: changeable with strong, freezing wind and sporadic snow (Please check Namtso climate in different seasons)
Namtso Accommodation: mostly guesthouse and makeshift tents
Namtso Salinity: moderate
Namtso Fish: many transparent fish without scale ( not afraid of people in part because Tibetans never eat fish)
Religion: one of the major pilgrimage destinations for Tibetan Pilgrims, esp. the kora around Namtso Lake in the year of goat considered to be the best time

Lhasa to Namtso Lake Map

(Simple click to enlarge the map)
Lhasa to Namtso Lake Map

Due to the high altitude, Namtso Lake Day Tour is often arranged after tourists finish the Lhasa city tour and have proper acclimatization to the altitude in Lhasa. On the way from Lhasa to holy Namtso Lake tour, tourists can see the Tibetan nomads and their farming scene in Damxung County of Lhasa and enjoy the great vista of Nyenchen Tangula Mountains.
Namtso Lake Distance from Lhasa: It takes around 5-7 hours’ drive, covering around 240-250km.
Namtso Lake Hotel: No grand hotels can be found around Namtso Lake. Yet, tourists can stay in local guest houses or shacks at Tahi Dor and spend a night there. And local Tibetan dishes and Chinese food are available to tourists.
Namtso Lake vs Yamdrok Lake: Generally speaking both two lakes are highly recommended. The only difference is that the altitude of Yamdrok Lake is 300m lower than that of Namtso. And it only takes around 2-3 hours’ drive from Lhasa down to Yamdrok. Both are equally important and perfect for landscape photography.
Best Time to Visit Namtso Lake: May to early Oct.
Best Place for Photography:
The sunrise and sunset are the best time to photograph incredible Namtso Lake. And some of the best places to shoot Namtso Lake are centered on Tashi Island as follows:
a.Yingbin stone
b.Gassho stone
c.Good and evil hole
d.Hilltop on Tashi peninsula