Tibetan Diary | Travel Guide to Namtso

| Travel guide to Namtso. [One] Namtso [Rainbow] Namtso, which means "Heavenly Lake" in Tibetan, is one of the three sacred lakes in Tibet and the highest large saltwater lake in the world (4,718 meters above sea level). The beautiful scenery of lakes and mountains blends with Tibetan culture here, making it a pilgrimage site longed for by countless travelers. [Rainbow] Ticket price: Off-season (March 16-April 30) 145 yuan (ticket 60 + sightseeing bus 85), higher price in peak season, online reservation is required in advance. [Two] Best time to travel [Rainbow] May to October (especially June to September): The climate is mild, the lake is blue, and the snow-capped mountains are clearly visible. It is the best season for photography and hiking. In winter (November to April of the following year), the mountain may be closed due to heavy snow, and some areas of the scenic area may be closed. [Three] Transportation Guide [Rainbow]Depart from Lhasa* [○] Self-driving/chartered car: Drive north along the Qinghai-Tibet Highway (G109) for about 240 kilometers, passing through Damxiong County and turning into the scenic road. The whole journey takes about 5-6 hours. On the way, you can enjoy the scenery of Nyainqentanglha Mountain and northern Tibetan grasslands. [○] Group tour: A hassle-free option. A one-day tour from Lhasa costs about RMB 300-600, including tickets, transportation and tour guide services. [○] Public transportation: There are buses from Lhasa East Suburb Bus Station to Dangxiong County, and then shared buses to Namtso (about 60 kilometers), but it takes a long time and has low flexibility. [○] Transportation within the scenic area: You must take the sightseeing bus (included in the ticket price) to go directly to the core attractions such as Zhaxi Peninsula. [!] If you don't enter the scenic area and don't buy tickets, you can drive straight ahead if you want to go to the lake. There are many forks in the road that you can enter, but you have to walk and you can't damage the grass at will. [Four] Recommended core attractions [Rainbow] Namtso Lake The lake water is as clear as a mirror and presents a deep sapphire blue on sunny days. The lakeshore is 70 kilometers long, making it a great place for strolling around the lake or sitting quietly and enjoying the view. [Rainbow] Zaxi Peninsula The largest peninsula in Namtso Lake has iconic landscapes such as the Tashi Temple, the Welcoming Stone, and the Gasshou Stone. It is a popular spot for photographing sunrises, sunsets, and the starry sky. It is recommended to stay here for one night (the conditions are simple and you need to bring your own warm clothing). [Rainbow] Shengxiang Tianmen (need to confirm opening status in advance) The natural stone elephant landscape on the north bank is a popular check-in spot for internet celebrities, from which you can overlook the lake and the Nyainqentanglha Mountains. [Rainbow] Nyainqentanglha Mountain Observation Deck It is a must-pass place along the way. It is 4,640 meters above sea level. You can overlook the main peak which is covered with snow all year round. The prayer flags and snow-capped mountains form a wonderful picture. [Rainbow]Naganla Pass At an altitude of 5,190 meters, it is the highest point leading to Namtso. With prayer flags fluttering at the pass, you can overlook the panoramic view of Namtso. [Five] Accommodation [Rainbow] Zaxi Peninsula: Most of them are simple rooms or tent camps, the price is about 100-300 yuan/night, the conditions are harsh but convenient for viewing. [Rainbow] Dangxiong County: The accommodation conditions are good, suitable for tourists who have high requirements for comfort, but you need to get up early the next day to enter the scenic area. [Rainbow] Food and Beverage: There are few food and beverage options in the scenic area and the prices are high. It is recommended to bring your own dry food and water. You can try Tibetan butter tea, tsampa and other special foods.