I heard that those who had a good time at Shengxiang Tianmen have read this guide.
🏔️Drive about 200km northwest of Lhasa, Namtso, known as the Holy Lake by Tibetans, embraces the world here. In Tibetan, "Namtso" means Heavenly Lake, Spiritual Lake or Divine Lake. There are five islands in the lake standing tall among the vast blue waves. Tibetan Buddhist believers say that the five islands are the incarnations of the Five Buddhas. Anyone who goes to the sacred lake to worship the Buddha and burn incense will worship them devoutly.
On the Chaduolangka Island in the north of the holy lake Namtso, there is a huge naturally formed stone elephant standing on the vast shore of Namtso Lake, with its trunk just reaching deep into the lake, as if it is absorbing the sacred water from the snowy land. The space between the stone elephant's body and trunk is like a huge door, the holy door leading to heaven. It is quietly hidden on the north bank of Namtso Lake, facing the sacred mountain Nyainqentanglha across the holy lake. This is a secret place in the sky hidden deep in the hearts of old Tibetans, and it is also the ultimate place for the beautiful scenery of Tibet.
Legend has it that in the 8th century AD, Guru Padmasambhava, who was invited by the Tibetan King Trisong Detsen to preach in Tibet, conquered Nyainqentanglha and betrothed Namtso to Nyainqentanglha. The two became a couple and held a grand wedding ceremony on Chatulanka Island. On the night before the wedding, 108 gods spent a whole night building a stone gate. The shape of the stone gate resembled a holy elephant walking from the northeast to the southwest. It was built specifically for the passage of the sacred mountain of Nyainqentanglha. People call this stone gate the Holy Elephant Heavenly Gate.
🧗Best time to travel
The average altitude of Namtso is over 4700m. The rainy season from June to September is a relatively comfortable time. The road to Namtso may be blocked by heavy snow from October. From November to May of the following year, the climate here is too dry and not suitable for plateau tourism.
Travel options
🚌Group tour:
Advantages: Cheap and convenient, you can travel for a few thousand yuan, and you can enjoy a private tour for about 10,000 yuan
Disadvantages: Not free to follow a fixed route;
🚐Customized Tour:
Advantages: More freedom and privacy than large groups, and some routes can be customized
Disadvantages: The price is more expensive than ordinary large groups. If you find a suitable travel agency and it can provide a professional travel butler, the journey will be much more comfortable.
🚗Carpooling, chartering, self-driving tour:
Advantages: Free routes, start and stop at will, almost no need to consider travel time
Disadvantages: high cost and high risk. You need high-altitude driving experience. In some areas, only diesel vehicles can run, and you have to add -10 or even -20 diesel to drive. Especially for self-driving, you also need to find a local guide.
🏨Accommodation:
Generally, you can stay near Namtso Lake. If you want to go to Shengxiang Tianmen Scenic Area, it is best to stay in Namtso Township. If you want to live comfortably, you can stay in Dangxiong County.
🏞️Attractions:
Yangbajing Hot Spring, Kuoqionggangri Glacier, Nyainqentanglha Mountain Observation Deck, Zhaxi Peninsula, Shengxiang Tianmen;
🥾Other notes:
Nam Co is at a high altitude with a large temperature difference, so the normal travel time should not exceed 3 days. Before leaving for Nam Co, you can store some clothes and suitcases in Lhasa. Clothes for Nam Co are usually light, windproof and appropriately warm.
Documents:
1. Confirm that all documents are complete before departure. ID card, driver's license, vehicle registration certificate, border pass, etc.
2. If you want to go to Medog, Mount Everest, Zhangmu, etc., you need a border pass.
3. It is best to apply for a border pass free of charge at the exit and entry office of your registered residence before departure. Although it can also be processed in Shigatse, Nyingchi and other places in Tibet, the procedures are relatively complicated. If you want to handle it locally in Lhasa, the best way is to find a travel agency.
What to bring
Clothing: Jackets, down jackets, waterproof shoes, perspiration-wicking thermal underwear, disposable underwear, spare shoes, slippers, etc.;
Protective equipment: sunscreen (50spf PA++ or above), hats, sunglasses, etc.;
Equipment: Lithium batteries of electronic products in plateau areas are more affected, so please keep sufficient backup batteries for mobile phones, power banks and cameras.