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This is our most popular and classic Tibet tour route, showcasing the very best of Tibet’s nature, culture, and history. For 10 consecutive years, we have been recognized as the “Best Mt. Everest Tour Organizer” by the Tibet Tourism Bureau.

For 2026 & 2027, we offer the most departure dates, so you can join us on the day you prefer, whether you're traveling solo, with family, or with friends.

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Yamdrok Lake in Shannan, Tibet

Yamdrok Lake in Shannan, Tibet

Lying on the southern edge of the Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains, Lake Yamdrok (Yamdrok Tso or Yamdrok Yumtso) in Nagarze, Shannan, is the largest inland lake at the northern foothills of the Himalayas as well as one of the Great Three Holy Lakes in Tibet, along with Namtso and Manasarovar Lake.

Located around 114km to the southwest of Lhasa, this stunning lake with an altitude of 4,441 meters has been one of the most attractive sights on the Land of Snows. Traveling along G318 Friendship Highway and S307 National Road, you can take a break at the crest of the Kamba La Pass, the ideal place to get the best vista shots of Yamdroktso with the imposing Mt.Nojin Kangsang standing tall in the far distance. Strolling along the lake-shore, you may encounter the devout Tibetan pilgrims prostrating in full length, observe the beautiful turquoise-blue water changing the color with the sunlight, get a closer look at the fish living freely in the holy lake, take fabulous pictures with Tibetan Mastiffs dressed in their colorful ruffs, etc. By the way, do not forget to bring your camera and wide-angle lenses to capture the starry night sky and migratory birds on the islands.

What’s more, Lake Yamdrok Yumtso is a major hub for trips to Potala Palace in Lhasa, Mount Everest Base Camp in Shigatse, and Mount Kailash and Manasarovar Lake in Ngari. Please follow our in-depth guide below and make the most of Yamdrok Lake tour.

Basic Facts:

Chinese name: 羊卓雍错Yángzhuō Yōngcuò

Location: Nagarze County, Shannan, Tibet, China; or southern edge of the Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains, around 114 kilometers to the southwest of Lhasa City

Altitude: 4,441 m (14,570 ft)

Type: one of the Great Three Holy Lakes in Tibet; the largest inland lake at the northern foothills of the Himalayas

Opening Hours & Ticket: all day long; 40CNY/Person (all year round)

How to Get There: No direct bus to Yamdroktso Lake; you may either hire a private car or choose our clean and safe tour vehicle with seasoned local tour guide and driver. It often takes 2 hours 30 minutes to drive 114km from Lhasa to Yamdrok Lake.

Yamdrok Lake Photo Gallery

All Articles about Yamdroktso Lake

To make sure you can enjoy the best Yamdrok Yumtso Lake travel experience available, we kindly prepare the latest and most easy-to-use Yamdrok Lake tour and travel guides below for you. From Lhasa to Yamdrok Lake distance and Yamdrok Lake tour planning to Yamdrok Lake photography and bird watching guide, etc., you can follow the insider’s tip and won’t miss the single moment when visiting the turquoise blue Yamdrok Tso in Tibet.

Yamdrok Lake Weather: Best Time to Visit, Temperature & Seasonal Tips

Yamdrok Lake Weather: Best Time to Visit and Seasonal Travel Guide

Where Is Yamdrok Lake and What Is the Weather Like Here Located about a 2-hour drive southwest of Lhasa (around 107 km), Yamdrok Lake (4,441m) is not only one of the top three holy lakes in Tibet but also the closest to Lhasa city (3,650m). Its stunning turquoise-blue waters and easy access make it a popular day trip destination, offering a ......

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Top 10 Local Tips to Visit Yamdrok Lake Like a Local in 2026

Tibet Yamdrok Lake Tour 2026: 10 Local Tips to Remember

Yamdrok Lake Is 2hrs Drive from Lhasa, But You Need 3-4 Days to Acclimate First Situated to the southeast of Lhasa City, the holy Yamdrok Lake is around 108km or 2 hrs drive from downtown Lhasa via the G4218 Expressway and winding G349 National Highway. Straddling a vast area of 678 km² between Nagarze and Gonggar County, the turquoise Yamdrok Lake sits at an altitude of 4,441m ......

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Yamdrok Lake Photography: photographic guide to Yamdrok Lake in Tibet

Yamdrok Lake Photography: photographic guide to Yamdrok Lake in Tibet

Gears for Yamdrok Lake Photography If photography of the lakes is what inspires you, then you can find no better place in Tibet to photograph than Lake Yamdrok. For most photographers in Tibet that are planning a trip to photograph Lake Yamdrok, a certain amount of equipment is needed, and while you may like to bring all of your gear, since you are never sure on what the conditions ......

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Guide to Bird Watching at Turquoise Blue Yamdrok Tso in Tibet

Guide to Bird Watching at Turquoise Blue Yamdrok Tso in Tibet

Why we choose Yamdrok Lake for birding? Yamdrok Lake is the largest habitat for migration birds in southern Tibet. The famous Bird Island is in Yamdrok Lake in Nagarze County of Shannan Prefecture, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. On this island live thousands of wild birds such as bar-headed geese and gulls. It is only about 15 meters’ high, with rocks and stones ......

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Lhasa to Yamdrok Lake Distance: distance from Lhasa to Yamdrok Lake by overland and biking

Lhasa to Yamdrok Lake Distance: distance from Lhasa to Yamdrok Lake by overland and biking

Lhasa to Yamdrok Lake by Road Distance: 114 km and How to Travel An overland trip to Lake Yamdrok is usually part of a longer tour, though you can actually include Lake Yamdrok as a day trip from the capital on one of our 5-Day Lhasa and Yamdrok Lake tours. By road, Lake Yamdrok is around 114 kilometers from the center of Lhasa, and takes around ......

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Yamdrok Lake Tour Facts: What to Know Before Visiting Yamdrok Lake

Yamdrok Lake Tour Facts: What to Know Before Visiting Yamdrok Lake

Basic Facts About Yamdrok Lake in Tibet Yamdrok Lake sits at an altitude of around 4,441 meters above sea level, making it one of the highest Tibet lakes in the world. It covers an area of about 638 square kilometers and stretches over 72 kilometers in length. There are 21 islands scattered throughout the lake. The snow-capped mountain near Yamdrok Lake is Ningjin ......

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Yamdrok Lake Travel Routes: how to plan Yamdrok Lake tour from Lhasa in one or two days?

Yamdrok Lake Travel Routes: how to plan Yamdrok Lake tour from Lhasa in one or two days?

Best Time to Visit Yamdrok Tso Lake The best time to visit Yamdrok Lake is from late April to the end of June and September to mid-November, when it is less rainfall and the temperatures are relatively mild. Summer is the rainy season in Tibet. Though it always rains at night, in the daytime, the sky may be gray, so that you can hardly enjoy the amazing turquoise blue ......

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The Yamdrok Lake Tibet

Unveiling the Secrets of Yamdrok Lake: The Ultimate Guide for Travelers

With the altitude of 4441m, Yamdroktso Lake is located at the Nangartse County of Shannan Prefecture, about 110 km to the southwest of Lhasa. It is one of three Holy Lakes in Tibet, and the other two holy lakes are Namtso Lake and Lake Manasarovar. All year round is the best time to visit Yamdrok Lake due to climate and weather and beautiful picturesque scenery. A tour from Lhasa to ......

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Shigatse and Yamdrok Lake map

Shigatse and Yamdrok Lake Maps

Facts about Yamdrok Lake:
Travelling from Lhasa to Shigatse, tourists will pass one of the most famous alpine lakes in Tibet, i.e. turquoise Yamdrok Lake. Overlooking the Yamdrok Lake from Gangbala Pass, you may find that the lake looks like a sapphire embedded in surrounding mountains.

Facts about Shigatse:
The second largest city next to Lhasa in Tibet; Home to the world’s summit— Mt. Everest(8844.43m); also the Seat of successive Panchen Lama; best place to enjoy panorama of Himalayan Range

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Yamdrok Lake

Yamdrok Lake or Namtso Lake: which one is better for different travelers?

Yamdrok Lake and Namtso Lake, together with Lake Manasarovar are believed by most of the locals as the three most sacred lakes in Tibet. Regardless of their religious and spiritual aspects, merely a glimpse at any view of them is enough to trigger the recognizable tremble in your heart. So, which one is better to choose for different travelers is seemingly become a tough question that baffles most of the visitors in Tibet. Before you make the decision, just follow us to get acquainted with the top things you need to know about Namtso Lake and Yamdrok Lake and make the optimal and well-suited plan for your trip.

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Recommended Tibet Tour Itineraries Including Yamdrok Tso

After visiting Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple and acclimatizing well in Lhasa, you can travel to the holy Lake Yamdrok to appreciate the alpine Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains and shoot the crystal blue water and lovely fish, even travel further to Mount Everest, Mount Kailash, and Kathmandu, Nepal, etc. Check the top 4 highly recommended Tibet tours with a short visit to Yamdrok Lake.

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