Lake Namtso

Lake Namtso is Tibet's largest body of water spanning 70km in length, and is the highest salt lake in the world at an altitude of 4730m. With its striking turquoise blue waters, and the 7000m high Tangula mountains flanking the southern perimeter of the lake, Namtso is considered to be one of the most beautiful sights in Western Tibet. The lake is located 240km due north of Lhasa and can be visited on a very long day trip from the capital, or for the more adventurous and acclimatised there is some basic accommodation on the shores of the lake. Other than the sheer beauty of this remote natural wonder, the attractions of a visit to Namtso include a visit to the Tashi Dor Monastery, the chance of coming across the semi-nomadic Drokpa herders, and to do some high altitude trekking around the shores of the lake. There is also a bird sanctuary on the edge of the lake which attracts migrating birds between April and November including some rare species of geese and cranes.