Yamdrok Lake

Overview

About

Yamdrok Lake, one of the three sacred lakes of Tibet, lies in Nagarze County, Shannan, over 70 km south-west of Lhasa: 678 km² at 4,441 m. From Lhasa the road crosses the 5,030 m Gampa La pass.

Nearby Noijin Kangsang rises to 7,206 m; the Karola glacier below it is one of the glaciers closest to any road. The old southern road from Lhasa to Shigatse passes the lake and the glacier.

Yamdrok Lake has a winding shore with many inlets, branching like coral, and five islands.

Travel tips

Location: Yamdrok Lake is in Nagarze County, Shannan, Tibet, roughly 100 km south-west of Lhasa.

Getting there: From Lhasa, follow the road towards Lhasa Gonggar Airport, pass through Qushui and climb over the Gampa La (5,030 m); the lake appears on the way down. Most visitors hire a car or join a day tour, since public transport is poor.

Gampa La: The pass has a viewing platform with a long view of the lake and the snow peaks. The lake is irregular in shape, and a road runs along its shore towards Nagarze.

Onward: Further west the road reaches the Karo La, with the Karola Glacier below Mount Nojin Kangtsang close to the road, then Gyantse and Shigatse. The southern route between Lhasa and Shigatse passes the lake.

Time: A day trip from Lhasa is feasible. Allow two to three days if combined with Gyantse and Shigatse.

Season: May to October is best; the meadows green in June to September and October skies are clearest. Winters are very cold, some sections ice up and the pass may be snowed in.

Altitude: The pass is 5,030 m and the lake 4,441 m. Spend two to three days acclimatising in Lhasa and avoid hard exertion.

Where to stay: There is little lodging at the lake, so most return to Lhasa or stay in Nagarze or Gyantse.

Note: Herders graze yaks at the shore, so be respectful when taking photographs. The lake is sacred to Tibetans, so do not throw rubbish into it.

Nearby

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