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China Tibet travel and tour destination Namtso lake

China & Tibet Destination Guide - Namsto Lake 纳木错

Namtso Lake Namtso is a mountain lake on the border between Damxung County of Lhasa Prefecture and Baingoin County of Nagqu Prefecture. The lake lies at an elevation of 4,718 m, and has a surface area of 1,920 square kilometres. This salt lake is the largest lake in the Tibet Autonomous Region. However, it is not the largest lake on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. That title belongs to Qinghai Lake (more than twice the size of Namtso) which lies more than 1,000 km [650 miles] to the north-east, in China's Qinghai province.

➤ TCTC Tip: Namtso lake is a worthwhile overnight trip from either Lhasa or Shigatse.

What there is to see at Namtso Lake:

The lake is considered the most beautiful of Tibet's mountain lakes with the mountain backdrop being particularly attractive. Namtso is over 1,000 meters higher than Lhasa so you need to acclimatize a few days in Lhasa before continuing on to the lake as you need to stay overnight here - it is too far to be visited as a day trip from Lhasa.

Best time to visit Namtso

May through to early October is the best time to visit asit gets very cold in the winter months with the road sometimes blocked by snow.

Best reason to visit Namtso

The mountain and lake scenery here is some of Tibet's finest making the long journey well worth it.

Our last word on Namsto

Popular both as a side trip from Lhasa as well as part of a more extensive Tibet itinerary a trip to this often overlooked destination is well worth the time and expense.