Scenic spot introduction:

Yamdrok Lake in Tibet, also known as Yanghu Lake for short, is the largest inland lake in the northern foothills of the Himalayas. The beauty of the lake and mountains is unmatched in southern Tibet. Yamdrok Lake (hereinafter referred to as "Yamdrok Lake") means "Jade Lake" and "Swan Pond" in Tibetan. It is known as one of the three sacred lakes in Tibet, along with Namtso Lake and Manasarovar Lake. The lake is 4,441 meters above sea level, 130 kilometers long from east to west, 70 kilometers wide from north to south, with a total shoreline of 250 kilometers and a total area of 638 square kilometers, which is about 70 times that of West Lake in Hangzhou. The lake is 20-40 meters deep, with the deepest being 60 meters. The water of Yanghu Lake is as clear as a mirror, and the lakeside is lush with water and grass. It is a fertile plateau pasture. The local Tibetan people praise Yanghu Lake with folk songs: "The fairyland in the sky, the Yanghu on earth. The stars in the sky, the cattle and sheep by the lake." In winter, Yanghu Lake is frozen, like a plain-clothed beauty lying in the arms of the Himalayan peaks. In late spring and early summer, herders transport cattle and sheep to dozens of small islands in the lake to let them enjoy the grass leisurely. In summer, when the lakeside is rich in water and grass, it is a good season for herders to graze cattle and sheep. Yamdrok Lake is located in Langkazi County, Shannan Prefecture, Tibet, more than 70 kilometers southwest of Lhasa.

Attractions distribution:

There are many mountains in the lake, and there are 21 small islands in the lake, each with its own water surface. The largest one can accommodate five or six households, while the smallest one is only a hundred square meters. The largest one covers an area of about 18 square kilometers. The islands have lush grass and flocks of wild birds. Ningjinkangshafeng The peak is 7,206 meters high and is the most important sacred mountain in the Ngari region. It is also one of the four traditional sacred mountains in Tibet. In addition, the world's highest altitude pumped storage power station - Yanghu Power Station It is located here.

Scenic spot features:

Photography, mountain climbing, lake tours, grassland tours, lakes, grasslands, snow-capped mountains
Attraction Address
Travel Guide

Travel Notes of Travellers:

  • Tiedan: Mission Operation 2010 (Part 2) ~ Travel Notes on the Sichuan-Tibet Line
  • Tiedan: Mission Operation 2010 (Part 1) ~ Travel Notes on the Qinghai-Tibet Line

travelling guideline:

Yamdrok Lake is much more beautiful when viewed from a distance than when approached closely. After crossing the 5,030-meter Gambala Pass, it takes about 30 minutes to go down the road to the shore of Yamdrok Lake. This route is the best angle to appreciate Yamdrok Lake. There are many viewing platforms along the way where you can stop and take pictures.

Best time to visit:

June to August. The climate is mild, with warm winters and cool summers, so most seasons of the year are suitable for travelers to travel in Shannan.

Tourist Transportation

Scenic spot location:

China > Tibet Autonomous Region > Shannan City > Langkazi County

How to get there:

It is 100 kilometers south of Lhasa, about a 2-hour journey. You can charter a car or take a shuttle bus.

Shuttle bus: If you take a shuttle bus, you can first go to the Yarlung Zangbo River Bridge (Qushui Bridge), and then take a taxi to visit Yamdrok Lake.

Charter: Generally, the cost of chartering a six-person jeep is about 1,500-2,000 yuan per day.

Scenic area map:

Click to expand the scenic area map

Attraction Tickets

Ticket price for Yamdrok Yumtso:

The ticket price is 40 yuan, collected at the top of Gambala Mountain.

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