It is one of the three sacred lakes in Tibet along with Lake Manasarovar and Lake Namtso. In the hearts of Tibetans, it is regarded as "the scattered turquoise earrings of the goddess".
You can overlook Yamdrok Lake from Gangbala Pass. When illuminated at different times, the lake will show different levels of extremely rich blue.
The water source comes from the snow of the surrounding Nyainqentanglha Mountains. The lake water changes with the light, evolving into ever-changing blue.
There is a road along the lake not far from Xiagang Bala Snow Mountain. Walking or camping by the lake is the best way to experience Yamdrok Lake.
Attractions Location: Provincial Highway 307, Langkazi County, Shannan City, Tibet Autonomous Region
Tickets: free
Opening hours:
08:00-18:00 (Monday to Sunday, January 1st to December 31st)
Transportation:
It is about 100km south from Lhasa, about 2 hours, and you need to cross the Gangbala Pass at about 4990m. You can charter a car or take a shuttle bus to get there. There is a shuttle bus to Langgarzi every day from the Lhasa Langgarzi Office, about 50 yuan per person. The shuttle bus from Lhasa to Shigatse now takes a new route and no longer passes through Yanghu Lake. Therefore, if you want to visit Yanghu Lake, you have to charter a car or hitchhike. Generally, the cost of chartering a 6-person jeep is about 1500-2000 yuan per day. In addition, there are many travel agencies in Lhasa that organize one-day tours to Yanghu Lake.
Time reference: 1-3 hours
Experience the stunning beauty of Yamdrok Lake, one of Tibet’s sacred lakes, with a day trip from Lhasa.
Accommodation/Food: Stay in Lhasa; try local Tibetan cuisine including yak butter tea and momos.
Souvenirs: Handmade prayer flags, traditional Tibetan jewelry, yak wool products, and local handicrafts sold near the lake.
Combine the natural splendor of Yamdrok Lake with a visit to the nearby Yamdrok Monastery for a cultural experience.
Accommodation/Food: Guesthouses near Yamdrok Lake or hotels in Lhasa; enjoy Tibetan stews and barley wine.
Souvenirs: Thangka paintings, prayer beads, yak wool scarves, and Tibetan incense.
A balanced itinerary combining the natural beauty of Yamdrok Lake with cultural highlights in Lhasa.
Accommodation/Food: Stay in Lhasa; sample Tibetan butter tea, tsampa, and yak meat dishes.
Souvenirs: Local crafts such as carved woodwork, prayer wheels, traditional Tibetan hats.
Explore Yamdrok Lake alongside Lhasa’s top historical and religious sites over four days.
Accommodation/Food: Comfortable hotels in Lhasa and guesthouses near Yamdrok; enjoy Tibetan hotpot and local tea houses.
Souvenirs: Tibetan jewelry, embroidered textiles, prayer flags, and religious statues.
A comprehensive tour mixing Yamdrok Lake with Lhasa’s major cultural landmarks and nearby natural sites.
Accommodation/Food: Stay in central Lhasa and countryside; enjoy traditional Tibetan dishes and local snacks.
Souvenirs: Yak wool products, Thangka art, carved wood crafts, and traditional Tibetan beverages.
Spend six days blending scenic lakes, historic palaces, monasteries, and natural beauty around Lhasa and Yamdrok Lake.
Accommodation/Food: Guesthouses and hotels in Lhasa and near Yamdrok Lake; sample yak jerky, Tibetan noodles, and butter tea.
Souvenirs: Tibetan prayer wheels, handmade carpets, local herbal medicines, and traditional musical instruments.
A week-long itinerary for travelers wanting to experience Yamdrok Lake, Lhasa’s iconic sites, and the Tibetan cultural landscape fully.
Accommodation/Food: Comfortable hotels and countryside guesthouses; enjoy Tibetan hotpot, yak butter tea, and tsampa.
Souvenirs: Traditional Tibetan clothing, jewelry, prayer flags, handwoven carpets, and local handicrafts.
Just like four years ago, clouds and mist covered Yanghu Lake. At this moment, my heart kept telling me to wait, it will definitely disperse. Sure enough, after more than 20 minutes, the sun's rays slowly penetrated the clouds, and the clouds and mist also slowly dispersed. I saw a blue ribbon floating in the mountains, like a dream.
The color of the lake water is emerald green when viewed from a high place, like jade, and turns dark blue when you get to the lakeside. Most tourists arrive at the lake from the viewing point, stay for a short time and then return, so there are not many vehicles driving along Yanghu Lake. Due to the different angles of the sun, the color of the lake surface also changes with the direction of our driving. The fun of driving is also reflected at this time. Driving under such a world, you don’t feel tired, you don’t feel that you can’t run at the speed limit, and you don’t feel that the road is long. Choose an open ground, park the car and walk close to the lake, as if this field belongs to me and Mrs. Liu.
One of the three holy lakes in Tibet, it is also very crowded in winter. The altitude is about 4,500 meters. I personally think this height is OK. Except that you can't walk too fast, there are no other discomforts. When crossing the 5,030-meter Gangbala Pass, I was shocked by the scenery in front of me!
At the end of April, there was still thick snow on the mountain, blue sky, white clouds, snow-capped mountains, and blue lakes... Although it is highly commercialized, it is really worth the trip! There are three signboards in total. One of them seems to be unguarded, but there are a lot of people. Some people are of very poor quality and will occupy it for a long time. One person can't finish taking pictures, so two people, three people, and finally a group photo. I heard that there was a fight because of taking pictures when we arrived yesterday! The other two signs are guarded by people. The worst thing is that you can't see anyone guarding them. They stay in an inconspicuous place on the side and rush out to ask you for money after you finish taking pictures!
Every traveler who comes to Yanghu Lake will take a photo of it from this angle. I went there in mid-November when it was still warm. I heard that Yanghu Lake was frozen in December. I saw the photo and it was really beautiful, like sapphires broken all over the ground.
Climb down and walk in to see what it looks like. Yanghu Lake is the first time in my life that I have seen such a blue lake. Facing such a lake, you really have to be pious. There must be gods in the beautiful scenery.
The color of Yanghu Lake is really ever-changing. It seems that there is a different kind of blue at different angles, temperatures and positions of sunlight.
Yanghu Lake is a place that is particularly suitable for self-driving. There is no need to rush and there are no fixed attractions. When you are tired and sleepy, you can park the car by the lake, sleep for a while facing the sun and eat a self-heating lunch. I am afraid that you will be so satisfied that it is priceless.
Our location is 4490 meters above sea level, which is higher than that of Lhasa. However, since we have adapted to the high altitude climate, as long as we don't jump around, our bodies can basically bear the load. When I saw the photos of Yanghu Lake on the Internet before, I wondered how the lake surface could be so calm and have such a beautiful blue color, just like silk. I was amazed when I saw it really appear in front of me after getting off the car. When spring comes, green grass will grow again on the barren and yellow mountains. We stopped a total of 5 times on the way to Yanghu Lake. When we got off the car for the last time, the altitude sickness was very strong again. We just wanted to stay in the car, so only me, Adong's cousin, who was our driver, and his brother got off the car. At the last point, I heard that there would be yaks taking pictures there, but I didn't see any this time, only people.
Yamdrok Lake is the most impressive lake in Tibet. You must go there. I went there twice. During this trip,
As long as there is sunshine, when you climb over the last slope, look straight ahead after the dazzling sun, and then slowly look down. The blue sky, white clouds, green mountains, and green water are all nakedly presented in front of you without any decoration. Let the adrenaline flow through your body, and the unbearable excitement and screams burst out instantly~
This is probably my direct feeling after passing by twice. It seems that a huge high-porcelain turquoise stone fell into the mountains, along the winding lake county to the place beyond the sight. The sunlight penetrated the density of white clouds and created some changes in light and shadow on the stone as much as possible, trying to hide some of this incomparable beauty. For me, this is tantamount to icing on the cake, making this beauty more real and unforgettable.
It is the pearl on the plateau. Its vast expanse of blue water is as crystal clear as an emerald, like a necklace that has fallen into the mortal world, hanging among the mountains, decorating this paradise on earth. The holy lake stretches as far as the eye can see, and its holiness makes people feel solemn.
Standing on the pass, the view is extremely broad, far-reaching and long, the grand and spectacular scene is the indescribable beauty of nature. That kind of beauty penetrates the eyes and cleanses the soul.
Every year during the Year of the Goat, Tibetans will come here to circumambulate the lake. In the minds of the local Tibetan people, mountains, lakes, etc. are all sacred and have gods. It takes a month to circumambulate the lake. Without the blessing of faith, it is really difficult for ordinary people to do it.
Yanghu Lake is best viewed from a distance from the observation deck, but when we approached the lake, it lost its grandeur.
Yanghu Lake in autumn is pure and blue, and the surrounding mountains are yellow ochre, which makes the sky even bluer. You can come here again in spring and summer, and it will definitely be a different kind of scenery.
The beauty of Yanghu Lake is a kind of vast grandeur, which is completely different from the beautiful style of the previous three-color lake.
Yamdrok Lake, which we had to give up due to time constraints, was included in our plan again. Thanks to the closure of the Potala Palace for one day, we did not miss the Yamdrok Lake and the indescribable beautiful scenery. The road to Yamdrok Lake is very easy to walk. It takes more than an hour to drive there normally, but! The speed limit, the kind of speed measurement in the interval, one after another, 20, 30 miles, the cars are like snails. It is so beautiful in winter. There is a long section without ice, and you can take a photo with the white yaks for 10 yuan. I also encountered little mice on the grassland, which are round and plump. They go into the hole when people walk. There are Tibetan mastiffs that can also take photos, 10 yuan each time.
It took about four hours to drive from Ganden Monastery to Yanghu Lake. It was also a mountain road with endless mountains standing in a row. Yanghu Lake is 4998 meters above sea level, and there was no altitude sickness at all. It was very windy in this season. In addition to us, there were only two other cars. If you don't go out for a walk, you won't know that the water of the Yarlung Zangbo River is really clear, and you won't know that the scenery of Yanghu Lake is really magnificent.
It is really hard to describe this scenery that is so beautiful that it makes you want to cry. I can record it with photos, but the feeling with the naked eye is the most intuitive.
Looking at this quiet and deep lake, my heart seems to be both excited and calm. Occasionally, I choose to close my eyes, tilt my head back, let the cold air blow across my cheeks, and enjoy the moment I open my eyes, the surprise brought by the sparkling lake surface.
Going down the mountain, getting closer and closer to the lake, we arrived at the lakeside. Yaks were resting leisurely on the shore, and the breathtakingly beautiful lake was right in front of us. The water was much bluer than the sky. I could touch a corner of it, but I couldn't understand its mystery. "The fairyland in the sky, the Yamdrok on earth. The stars in the sky, the cattle and sheep by the lake."
Driving deep into the area surrounding Yanghu Lake, along the winding mountain road, Yanghu Lake constantly surprises us. At every corner, the color of the lake changes subtly, and the graceful lake surface floats gently like a gradient-colored ribbon.
Many people refer to it as "Yanghu Lake", but this is just a folk abbreviation, because there is an official version of "Yanghu Lake" in the Qiangtang area of Ali region near Xinjiang, but the authentic one is too far away and almost no tourists have ever arrived.
This is a completely different type of lake from Namtso, with completely different scenery, and even the scenery along the way is completely different. If time permits, both lakes are worth visiting.
Yamdrok Lake is more than 100 kilometers away from Lhasa city, much closer than Namtso Lake. However, due to the high mountains and long roads, and the strict speed limits on vehicles in Tibet, it takes two or three hours to drive there.
Tibetan compatriots lead their own Tibetan mastiffs to the lakeside for tourists to take photos with them, 10 yuan per photo.
Even with clouds all over the sky, Yamdrok Lake is still a pure dark blue lake. Rape flowers scattered around the lake are blooming sporadically, and the sunlight shining through the clouds makes it look particularly beautiful.
The best way to get to Yamdrok Lake is to drive/charter/carpool.
Yamdrok Lake is relatively close, so most tours are in one day (depart in the morning and return in the afternoon).
If you want to share a car, you can sign up at the front desk of the inn, usually 200-300 yuan per person (prices fluctuate in different seasons). You can also join some travel groups and invite others to share a car, which will be cheaper than signing up at the inn, usually 100-200 yuan.
Security checks in Tibet are quite strict, and vehicles will be checked on the way to and from the airport, so you must always carry your ID card with you.
After buying the ticket, we drove through a narrow one-way bridge and drove on the mountain road for another hour. We climbed up the hill and thought that the dry area behind us was Yanghu Lake. Everyone was disappointed and wondered if Yanghu Lake had dried up...
After crossing the river valley, you will reach the other side of the mountain. This is the feeling of Tao Yuanming's "After walking a few dozen steps, I suddenly felt enlightened." I read online that in 2012, Yanghu Lake had water sightseeing tours, where tourists could take sightseeing yachts, water buses, cowhide boats, etc. to visit the lake. Later, due to strong resistance from travellers and netizens, the activities were cancelled. Only then can we see such flawless green. Imagine such a delicate lake surface, how could a small boat scratch its skin.
Suddenly, dark clouds appeared in the sky, and a few beams of light leaked out. The vast ocean just now was completely absorbed in the wider darkness. The lake water was like a ball of hope for tomorrow in my heart, which had not yet fallen into the vagueness. In the dark place under the vast and surging mountains, it was shining like a firefly. The sun was unwilling to play a supporting role, and tried hard to penetrate the clouds. The bright spots, dark spots, sunny and rainy spots all hit the lake surface, and there was a noisy tranquility.
To go to Yanghu Lake, you can only choose to drive yourself or charter a car. If you just want to take a look at the intoxicating blue, a half-day tour will satisfy you. If you want to see the starry sky and the Milky Way, you have to stay by the lake for one night. Now there is a wasteland camping site by Yanghu Lake. No matter which platform you sign up for the starry sky tour of Yanghu Lake, you will stay in this camp. The facilities are already very good in Tibet. You can also buy ingredients and cook hot pot at night. There are two multi-person tents downstairs where you live, which can accommodate 6-8 people. There are some small tents upstairs that can accommodate 1-2 people. Although the tents are small, they are relatively warm indoors. The tents are equipped with sleeping bags, and the thermal insulation performance is still good. Regardless of the season, the temperature at Yanghu Lake at night is as low as 0 degrees or below, and you need to wear a down jacket.
When we arrived at the viewing point on the top of the mountain, it started to hail. After a while, the dark clouds dispersed and the snow-capped mountains in the distance appeared. The lake surface was gray under the dark clouds, but as the sky cleared, the lake water turned into a beautiful blue. After seeing Lugu Lake, I can no longer be easily intoxicated by the blue of other lakes.
Arriving at Yanghu Lake, the evening light gilded everything with golden color, including the golden mountains and golden clouds. Occasionally, cars passed by the lake. We walked in the sunset like this, feeling so romantic that we wanted to cry.
The snow-capped mountains in the distance are clearly visible, and the light and shadow of the setting sun shine on the top of the snow-capped mountains, creating a small golden mountain scene. The dusk is really charming.
In front of such a scene, words seem pale.
The starry sky is very beautiful, with many stars and the Milky Way is very clear. Such a starry sky only appeared four times this month. How lucky we are!
On the first day of September, I saw the Milky Way for the first time. With the sky full of stars above my head, I could only feel the endless tenderness of the universe. Time stood still at this moment, and all the words I wanted to say were shining under the endless starry sky.
What you actually see is 10,000 times more beautiful than what you see with a camera.
I booked a one-day tour to Yanghu Lake on China-TravelNote. The total price for three people was 320. I used the honey from China-TravelNote to save a lot of money. The boarding point was the White Pagoda under Yaowang Mountain, and the departure time was 11:00 noon. The silk-like Yangzhuo Yumtso appeared in front of us. When we arrived at the Yanghu Lake Observation Deck, although the weather was gloomy and terrible, the beauty of Yanghu Lake still fascinated everyone who saw it. Leaving the observation deck, we can finally get close to Yanghu Lake, which is 4440 meters above sea level on the shore of Yanghu Lake.
In winter, Yanghu Lake has ice on the lakeside, but the lake water is not frozen. The wind blows violently, and mist rises from time to time, flying into the air along the hillside of the small island in the lake. A little duck in the lake is still floating leisurely in such weather. The air becomes extremely cold in the cold wind, but I am extremely excited.
On the way to Yanghu Lake, I saw some adorable little lambs, each dressed in pink. Wow, they were so cute. I saw a Tibetan mastiff with a very attitude. I could feel the strong sense of disgust towards it even through the screen. Looking at the photo of Xiaodan, me and him, and then looking at the photo of Master Xiaobai and him, I even suspect that we are not taking the photo with the same Tibetan mastiff. There is also a yak quietly thinking about something, so festive, is your face painted with blush~ I don’t know how many turns and mountains I have climbed, finally I reached the top of the mountain with an altitude of more than 4,800 meters. The scenery in front of me is so eye-catching: the sky is slightly blue, with a few white clouds floating from time to time, and a light layer of white snow is covered on the yellow hillside, which looks like frosting from a distance; the azure blue lake lies quietly in the narrow valley, as soft as silk; when I look up, I see the halo, soft and gorgeous; when I look down, I see many Mani piles scattered on the hillside, which are people’s devout prayers; time, please go slower, I haven’t seen enough of the scenery along the way, and I can’t bear to give up this temporary peace.
After working in Lhasa for many years, I finally have time to go out and have a look. The first choice is the trip to Yanghu Lake. I went with a tour group, leaving at noon and returning in the afternoon. The service was very good. When I came to the Yanghu Lake Observation Deck, I saw the emerald lake, blue sky and white clouds, and the Kulagangri Snow Mountain in the distance. This beautiful holy lake is integrated into a beautiful plateau scenery, which makes me feel extremely relaxed and happy. There are two viewing points here, which are specially provided for tourists to take pictures. One is on the top of the mountain, where you can see the panoramic view of most of Yanghu Lake, and the other is on the top of the mountain. One is to go down to a flat viewing point by the lake, where you can take close-up photos of the surface of Yanghu Lake. You can also reach the lake, scoop up a handful of water from Yanghu Lake, and wash away the worldly worries on your face. The local villagers will pull their own cattle and sheep to provide shelter for tourists to take pictures. Of course, there is a charge for this. If you want to take pictures, you have to negotiate the price. There is also a charge for the stones with the words Yanghu/Yamdrok Yumtso by the lake. So if you want to take pictures of these, it is best to negotiate the price in advance and then take them. We also took several pictures to keep as souvenirs.
It is really beautiful here. I went around the inner lake. The scenery from different angles is different. It will give you a surprise from time to time. When you are tired of the scenery in front of you, you may feel bright when you go around a bend. Yamdrok Lake is like a child, giving you a surprise from time to time, making you unexpectedly bright.
I don't know if it's because of the high altitude that the blue tears on the plateau seem so unreal, as if a large expanse of blue purer than the sky is painted in front of your eyes for no reason. Whether you squint or open your eyes wide, it does not prevent that expanse of color from spreading out so abruptly. How many ants in the world are going to be shocked by this?
As we descended the mountain, we seemed to be sliding across its deep blue skin, and sometimes our faces were hidden by the mountains. Sometimes we could clearly see the grass and thorns on the shore, and sometimes we could see the snow-capped mountains in the distance. We could still step into the land and water of Yanghu Lake without any distance. Under the sun, half of Yanghu Lake was as brilliant as the Milky Way, with fluctuating fluorescent lights flickering constantly and endless boundaries. But after all, it was not as beautiful as the scenery on the top of the mountain.
Looking at Yanghu Lake from afar, under the moving clouds and flickering sunlight, this blue-green gem is dazzling and shining, and its beauty comes from the sky.
When you get close to Yanghu Lake, you can quietly feel the sound of the wind blowing across the lake, and the sunshine shining on your body makes you feel warm and happy. The quiet and steady mountains in the distance and the turquoise water in front of you complement each other. The lake that is closest to heaven is right in front of you.
It's very beautiful. You can't capture the spectacular and touching feeling with a camera. The master will let you take pictures at the viewing platform first, and then drive to the edge of Yanghu Lake to take pictures. [Warm Tips] The wind is very strong, very strong, super strong, so strong that you can't stand steadily, so strong that it can compete with a level 10 typhoon, and so strong that it gives people a headache. When you get off the car to take pictures, you must wear a hat (the kind that won't be blown away), wear gloves (otherwise your hands will crack when blown), wear a mask (the wind makes you unable to breathe), and tie your scarf (my scarf was not tied well and almost flew off). Be sure to keep warm! Otherwise, Yanghu Lake will give you a headache, and your head will hurt even more later. Warm Tips 2: The iPhone will be useless as soon as the wind blows as soon as you get off the car. This is the first time that my iPhone, a southerner, has felt this sub-zero temperature, so it's gg.
There is no special ticket office in Yanghu Lake. There is only a toll booth on the only road, charging 60 yuan per person. Most people choose to walk to the lake, leaving only the driver to drive into the scenic area along the only road.
At the lakeside, there is a yak every few meters, quietly waiting for tourists to take pictures. Each person can ride a yak and take pictures as much as they want for 20 yuan. If Tibetans find you taking pictures, you will have to pay even if you are not riding.
When the car rushed to Gangbala Pass (4990 meters), after a turn, the holy lake Yamdrok Yumtso came into view. It was still breathtakingly beautiful and blue enough to penetrate the heart. This is the state of encountering a lake around a corner. Everyone rushed out of the car door and ran straight to the scenery in front of them.
When I first saw it, the lake was bright and emerald-colored under the midsummer sun. This time, it was covered with snow, and the lake was cold and blue, showing a different style. The scenery is beautiful and the blue water is like a paradise. Being here is like entering a fairyland on earth.
The car went down the slope and came to a lake full of Mani stones. The lake water was even bluer at this time, so dreamy, warm and pure! It was like a girl, capturing your soul and making you unforgettable for a long time. I firmly believe that everyone who comes here will be impressed by its beauty. Standing by Yanghu Lake, the sun is shining, and the heart is as calm as the lake water. All the troubles will disappear at this moment, and all the desires will disappear temporarily.
When we arrived at the widest part of Yanghu Lake, we stopped the car to rest and stayed for a while. I was thinking, how pity it would be if people didn't come to experience such a beautiful lake.
Gradually, gradually, a rich blue color appeared. Ah, that is Yanghu Lake!
My heart began to stir. I had always thought that the blue of Yamdrok Lake was a trick created by those photographers. How could there be such a pure blue in the world? In comparison, what is the blue in Greece? The blue of Yamdrok Lake is really so spotless, as clean as the blue color just born. No need for PS, it is just natural beauty. I admit that I was amazed at this moment. This color is as smooth as velvet.
We arrived at the second Yanghu Lake viewing point. This time we were closer, so the image of the water was clearer and we could see the rippling waves and the clear lake bottom.
I didn't expect that I would be completely healed by the blue of Yanghu Lake. I never thought that a lake could bring such great power. I think no matter who you are, when you see that blue for the first time, you will untie the knots in your heart and let go of the entanglement in your heart. It's a feeling that your heart is suddenly opened up. I think I can reconcile with myself. It's like being constipated for a long time and suddenly getting relieved. I breathed a sigh of relief.
Overall, it was a good day trip. The beauty of Yanghu Lake is there, and it can't be worse.
I watched it in the tourist gathering place. Along the way, since it was the off-season, I really didn’t see many people traveling with me before. But the people in Yanghu Lake were really the most lively. I realized that, oh, the off-season is not so quiet after all.
There are so many colors of Yanghu Lake. The colors of Yanghu Lake are different when photographed from different angles. It is not because of the photos edited later, but because Yanghu Lake itself is so mysterious... Yanghu Lake spreads among the mountains, stretching for more than 130 kilometers. Different places and different times of sunlight will reflect different colors of lake water... So what color is the water of Yanghu Lake? No one knows, but in fact, each color is her true appearance... Yanghu Lake is really a beautiful girl, it is worth us to explore every mysterious side of her, and it is worth spending a lifetime to read this book...
Yanghu Lake in the afternoon, and the scenery of Yanghu Lake further downstream. Anyway, there is really no end to the Yanghu Lake.
Yanghu Lake was particularly beautiful that day, shrouded in mist. It was so beautiful that it seemed fake. It was much more beautiful than Daming Lake, Kanas Lake, and West Lake in the rain.
That's not water, it's a whole piece of deadly large jade. The water surface is dark green and still. The water surface is so still that you feel it's not liquid but solid.
One has to walk to about five or six meters away from the lake surface to see the tiny ripples caused by the breeze, trembling slightly, and the lake water seems to be elastic.
There are two types of tours to Yanghu Lake. One is to go to the first viewing platform, then to another viewing platform, and then return to Lhasa, which is basically a half-day tour. The other is to go to another viewing platform, then walk around Yanghu Lake for a while, and return to Lhasa in the afternoon. The price difference is a bit big, basically 68 and 298. Anyway, I didn't have any other plans, so I signed up for 298, and later I felt that it was worth it.
The distance from Lhasa to Yanghu Lake is not far, but it is a winding mountain road. It feels like the altitude is rising all the way. People with acrophobia are still a little scared when they see the hillside next to them. When we arrived at Yanghu Lake, a little brother in the car had to breathe oxygen.
However, when I got off the car and saw the scenery of Yamdrok Lake, I was really shocked and exclaimed "Wow!" (The photos taken with a mobile phone are not as shocking as the real scene) Although the altitude is very high and the wind is strong, I can't bear to go back to the car to sit and rest. I just want to keep looking at it, just like this, until the end of time.
The second viewing platform also has beautiful views, and there are many small holes on the ground, which my mom identified as rat holes. The travel agency has outdoor folding chairs in the car, so that everyone can sit on the hillside and enjoy the beautiful scenery of Yanghu Lake at leisure.
There are many Mani piles on this small hill. My mother and I also made one. There were many flat stone pieces on the ground, which made it very easy to arrange. It seems that this is the geology of this place. Later, when we arrived at the third viewing point, the ground was also full of flat stones.
The third viewing point was next to Yanghu Lake. Unfortunately, the clouds gradually increased and the sun was reluctant to show up. After waiting for a while, the clouds still did not disperse. Not only could we not see the beautiful blue, it was even a bit cold.
As for Yamdrok Lake, many people easily miss it. Some people just regard it as a scenic spot on the way to Ali or Shigatse, and some people may just pass by it on the way back to the airport. But personally, I think Yamdrok Lake is a holy lake that you should never miss.
Blue sky and white clouds, snow-capped mountains and lakes, the colors of white and blue gather here, which makes the golden color of the lakeshore seem a little inconspicuous, but the combination of the three colors is still extremely harmonious and beautiful.
The water of the beautiful Yanghu Lake has different colors at different times. When the sun shines on it at different moments, it will show extremely rich layers of blue, which is extremely beautiful. The center of the lake appears as a sapphire blue.
When I saw the azure blue Yamdrok Lake, I was really at a loss for words. If I really had to find a word, it would be dreamy, like a dream, so beautiful that it didn't seem like it was in the human world, so beautiful that it was unreal. Although I have been to Namtso Lake before, it did not leave me with a deep shock, but Yamdrok Lake did.
Each attraction is more attractive because of its legendary color.
My previous yearning for Yanghu Lake was simply and crudely based on the beautiful pictures I saw in travel guides, friend circles, etc. Deep down, I was deeply attracted by its touch of blue!
I haven't felt excited for a long time. When I first saw Yanghu Lake, I was excited. As the car got closer and closer to Yanghu Lake, I felt calmer and calmer.
The tranquility of Yanghu Lake is so beautiful that it does not need much decoration. Sitting by the lake, letting the lake breeze blow gently over the body, suddenly I felt like every time I went to my grandmother's house, she would gently brush off the dust on us. Just sit quietly, letting the lake breeze blow into my heart and blow away the fatigue of life, work and travel~
If you think that there is only one lake to see in Yanghu Lake, you are wrong. On the way to Yanghu Lake, we also passed the Yarlung Zangbo River. There were beautiful scenery everywhere. The photographers were constantly asked to work harder. If they failed to take good photos of people, they would be deducted lunch boxes.
Yanghu Lake is only about 1-2 hours' drive from Lhasa, so it is ok to go back and forth to Lhasa on the same day if you want to take a day trip.
Yamdrok Lake and Namtso Lake are fairy lakes in the hearts of Tibetans, sacred and inviolable. The water is really invincible, blue and clear. All the way through, I could only sigh in my heart, how could it be so beautiful? Looking at Yamdrok Lake, I also understand why we need to rely on beautiful scenery to heal when we are under stress, and how small people are in front of nature. At that moment, my heart was really calm and the stress was thrown behind me.
In Tibet, you can often see colorful cloth strips and flags piled up into small hills. These are called wind horse flags, also known as "wind horse prayer flags." They are filled with scriptures and are used by the Tibetan people to pray for peace.
Yamdrok Yumtso is also known as Yanghu Lake, which means "Jade Lake" in Tibetan. It is one of the three sacred lakes in Tibet. It looks like a coral branch, so it is also called "the upper coral lake" in Tibetan.
It is located in Langkazi County, Shannan City, Tibet, about 70 kilometers southwest of Lhasa. It is known as one of the three sacred lakes in Tibet along with Namtso and Manasarovar. It is the largest inland lake in the northern foothills of the Himalayas.
I have seen the beauty of Yamdrok Lake on the Internet for a long time, but when the lake is in front of me and the blue color comes into my eyes, I know that at this moment, there is nothing I can use to describe the lake. The moment I saw the lake, I was deeply intoxicated by its beauty. Its beauty is really breathtaking.
A bay of blue waves flows between the green hills, as quiet as a beauty lying in the arms of the green hills. I am willing to watch it quietly, reluctant to close my eyes, just wanting to imprint this beauty deeply in my mind.
When you get to the lake, you can experience the beautiful Yanghu Lake up close, take a photo with the yaks by the lake, pretend to be a Tibetan, and immerse yourself in the blue sky, white clouds, and blue waves. On the shore, countless Mani piles tell you so many expectations and give you a different journey.
Yanghu Lake is so beautiful that my vocabulary is not enough to describe it. The name of the holy lake is not in vain. Walking along Yanghu Lake, there are 3 viewing points along the way. When we arrived at the third viewing point, the most magical thing was that a cloud just floated in the distance, and a beam of sacred light passed through the dark cloud and shone on the earth. At this moment, I only had one action, which was to take pictures crazily. The holy light is constantly moving. The same scenery has different feelings. How can we not imagine such a scenery? The village opposite Yanghu Lake. The people living here are much happier than us! The mountains of Yanghu Lake are like they have been specially dressed up, and they are beautiful. When a beam of light shines on the protruding rocks on the opposite side, I feel like I have traveled through time. How many years BC is it now!
Yanghu Pass is the best place to see Yanghu Lake from afar. When we reached Yanghu Pass, the wind was so strong that we couldn't stand at all, but the beautiful scenery still attracted us to move forward and take pictures. When we came to the bottom of Yanghu Lake, we saw the calm lake water, a piece of clear blue, and the snow-capped mountains opposite, like a painting.
Yamdrok Lake is indeed one of the three holy lakes. It is blue in all colors and never disappoints. As soon as we got off the car, we saw a lot of dogs. When we got down to the lake, the scenery was of a different style. There was a restaurant by the lake, and we couldn't refuse it because we were cold and hungry. The colors were different from a different angle. The teacher tasted the water of the lake to prove whether it was a saltwater lake or a freshwater lake.
Along with Namtso and Manasarovar, it is known as one of the three sacred lakes in Tibet. It is 4,400 meters above sea level. I was already feeling dizzy, and some people didn't want to get off the car and just wanted to breathe oxygen. "Yang" means above; "Zhuo" means pasture; "Yong" means jasper; "Cuo" means lake. Put together, it means "jasper lake on the pasture above". Indeed, the turquoise lake water is never boring.
The water of Yanghu Lake is very blue, like a natural sapphire inlaid on the mountain with snow all year round. Because Yanghu Lake is very long, it looks like a blue belt tied on the mountain from a distance. The water in the lake is crystal clear and the scenery is very spectacular.
The water in Yanghu Lake is constantly changing. Depending on the sunlight at different times, it will show different levels of extremely rich blue.
The scenery of Yamdrok Lake is picturesque, as if you are in a fairyland on earth. The lake, snow-capped peaks and blue sky blend into one, making people linger.
It is said that devout Buddhists circle the lake every year, which takes about a month on horseback. Doing so is equivalent to a pilgrimage to Lhasa, and Buddha will at least bless them with good fortune and peace for the whole year. The soul of the Tibetan people chooses the most beautiful and spiritual place to live, and Yamdrok Lake is one of them.
As I write this travelogue, I can still clearly remember the first reaction of these women when they saw the lake. The whole car was filled with "~~~Wow~~~~" and the rhythm of eardrums was about to burst. But I think even if it were someone else, seeing such a beautiful lake, they would be moved. The wind was very strong at the pass, and I couldn't even wear a hat. The wind was very cold. Although it is already 5,000 meters above sea level, it is actually just a pass. From here, you can go up to the top of Gangbala Mountain, which is about 5,200 meters, but it is planned as a military restricted area and is not allowed to go up, which is a pity.
Every photo taken here does not need beauty filters. The sun, the lake, and the background all have beauty filters. Yanghu Lake is really big. We drove for a long time. The original plan was to drive around Yanghu Lake. Later, it turned out that this idea was too naive. We drove for half a day and only drove a quarter of the way. We had to return the same way in disappointment, otherwise we would not be able to go back until dark.
Today, I visited Yanghu Lake. I didn't go to the traditional 1, 2, 3, or 4 viewing platforms. Instead, I looked up two spots on a red book. One is Rito Temple and the other is Langri La viewing platform. Both spots are good for viewing Yanghu Lake. If you want to see the good scenery, you must spend more time. The road I drove today was the most difficult road since I learned to drive. It was too difficult to drive. Winding mountain roads, washboard roads, mud pits, meadows, gravel roads, some of which can't even be called roads. Anyway, the most difficult roads I can think of, I have experienced today...
After leaving Rito Temple, we continued to walk around the lake. About an hour later, the Yamdrok Lake in front of us had changed. It was no longer a vast expanse of azure blue lake, but a picture scroll of islands and mountains and waters. Looking down, it was like a long and beautiful scroll of ink and color painting on the scroll. Looking at the intoxicating picture, the clouds in the sky were floating leisurely, and the changing clouds were reflected on the lake, forming mottled light and shadow. The islands in the lake were like ships floating on the lake, big like cruise ships and small like sampans. The clear blue water of the lake flowed silently around the islands, and the water and the islands blended and reflected each other. The lake was rippling with green waves, surrounded by mountains, and it was a magnificent and colorful landscape. Such a three-dimensional and beautiful picture scroll was presented in front of me, which made me intoxicated.
Yamdrok Lake, also known as Yanghu Lake, is the largest inland lake in the northern foothills of the Himalayas. Namtso Lake and Mapam Yumtso Lake are known as the three sacred lakes in Tibet, and Yanghu Lake is the most beautiful one.
It's a very beautiful viewing platform, and there are many routes around Yanghu Lake. We planned 4 routes, but for various reasons we finally chose a route that was closest to the day's itinerary without taking a detour. It was also very beautiful.
Yamdrok Lake is also known as Yanghu Lake, which means Jade Lake in Tibetan. The lake is 4,410 meters above sea level and is known as one of the three sacred lakes in Tibet along with Namtso Lake and Manasarovar Lake. The beauty of the lake and mountains is unrivaled in southern Tibet. The local Tibetan people praise Yamdrok Lake with folk songs: "A fairyland in the sky, Yamdrok on earth. The stars in the sky, the cattle and sheep by the lake."
Yamdrok Lake is a typical plateau barrier lake, which is said to have been formed as early as 400 million years ago when glacial debris flow blocked the river. It has an irregular shape, many forks, winding lakeshore, and three small lakes, namely Kongmu Lake, Chen Lake and Jiu Lake. It was once an outflow lake in history, and the above lakes were connected as one, and the lake water flowed into the Yarlung Zangbo River. But later, due to the retreat of the lake water, it became an inland lake and was divided into several small lakes, with a difference of only 6.5 meters in the lake surface height.
You can overlook Yamdrok Lake from Gangbala Pass. When illuminated at different times, the lake will show different levels of extremely rich blue.
The water source comes from the snow of the surrounding Nyainqentanglha Mountains. The lake water changes with the light, evolving into ever-changing blue.
Compared with the one-day tour to Namtso, which requires constant travel, and the two-day tour, which involves the risk of altitude sickness, the half-day tour to Yanghu Lake is much more pleasant. Depart from Lhasa at noon, drive all the way to the edge of Yanghu Lake, then climb the stairs and return to the highest viewing platform, where the "sheep"-shaped lake comes into view.
The surface of Yanghu Lake is calm, the wind is not strong, and there is no altitude sickness at all. When the drone took off, I realized that the lake water has multiple layers.
Only when you face the Yamzhuo Lake directly, you will understand that any portrait with the lake as the background will make the people in the photo look small and redundant. Anyone who wants to use skills and camera to take pictures of the beauty of the Yamzhuo Lake will end up with a picture taken out of context. Because the pictures taken will never be one ten-thousandth as shocking as what you see in front of you.
Yamdrok Lake is known as the most beautiful water in the world. Yamdrok Lake, "Yam" means above; "Zhuo" means pasture; "Yong" means jasper; "Cuo" means lake. Put together, it means "jasper lake above pasture", which is just the literal explanation of Yamdrok Lake. People affectionately call it Yamdrok Lake, which is known as the three sacred lakes in Tibet together with Namtso Lake and Manasarovar Lake.
The quiet Yanghu Lake is rippling but not turbulent. Standing on the viewing platform, I really want to jump into the lake, close my eyes, relax my body, float freely, and just float.
Yanghu Lake is like a jelly, very bouncy.
The valley is yellow, and I think if it snows, the pure white world might be more beautiful. Very close to the lake, there are locals leading yaks as the background for taking photos. They must be very cold, too. The white Hada tied to the railing flutters in the wind.
The journey was quite long and we spent most of the time in the car. In addition to the yaks with many ornaments on their bodies, I also saw a Tibetan mastiff wearing sunglasses, which looked like a domineering president.
We returned to the Potala Palace at sunset and saw green clouds.
📝【Know about Yanghu Lake】
1. Yamdrok Lake, Manasarovar Lake and Namtso Lake are known as the three sacred lakes in Tibet.
2. Yanghu Lake is regarded as "the scattered turquoise earrings of the goddess" in the hearts of Tibetans. It is also known as "Gem Fairy Lake", "Yumu Lake", "Bai Di Lake" and "Yamluk Lake".
3. In Tibetan, "Yamdrok" means "upper pasture", "Yamdrok" means "jade", and "Cuo" means "lake". The four words of Yamdrok Yumtso mean "jade lake in the upper pasture".
4. Every year during the Year of the Goat, Tibetans will come here to circumambulate the lake. In the minds of the local Tibetan people, mountains, lakes, etc. are all spiritual and sacred.
5. Looking down at Yanghu Lake, different levels of extremely rich blue will appear when illuminated at different times.
6. The water of Yanghu Lake comes from the snow of the surrounding Nyainqentanglha Mountains. The lake water changes with the light, evolving into ever-changing blue.
🕙【Time】08:00-18:30.
💡【Duration】1-3 hours.
💰【Tickets】🈚️
🚗【Transportation】It takes about 2 hours from Lhasa, and you need to cross the Gangbala Pass at 4990m. You can take a car or charter a car to get there. The carpooling fee was 70 per person, and we gathered at the Potala Palace parking lot at 11 o'clock in the morning and set off.
⚠️【Notes】
1. The wind at Yanghu Lake is very strong, so you should keep warm. The road to Yanghu Lake is a mountain road with increasing altitude. If you are prone to motion sickness, choose a seat in the front.
2. There are many animals that are specially designed for taking photos near Yanghu Lake and on the road, such as yaks and Tibetan mastiffs. Even if you don't take photos with them, you will be charged, so be aware.
[Yamdrok Lake] - short for Yanghu Lake, it is one of the three sacred lakes in Tibet along with Manasarovar Lake and Namtso Lake. You can overlook Yanghu Lake from Gangbala Pass. When illuminated at different times, it will show different levels of extremely rich blue. As the closest holy lake to Lhasa, most tourist routes will check in here. If you want to take pictures on the viewing platform, you need to buy a ticket. We felt it was unnecessary, so we hurriedly passed by, and then drove to a stop halfway up the mountain from Yanghu Lake (repaired this year), took some photos, and strolled around~
Yanghu Lake is as beautiful as a painting, with crystal blue water.
If possible, chartering a car is the best option. In addition to the beautiful scenery of the observation deck, the scenery along the way will definitely make you linger.
It is best to go to Yanghu Lake Observation Deck in the morning. The afternoon sun shines from the front, and the lake is sparkling, but it does not feel blue.
And the person was backlit when the photo was taken.
Yamdrok Lake is worthy of being one of the three most beautiful lakes in Tibet. Looking down from the viewing platform, it looks like a green belt winding between the mountains. Comparing the photos of Yamdrok Lake taken by travellers in other seasons, I found that the color of the lake water is different at different times.
After passing the Yajiang Pass, we continued our journey to Yanghu Lake.
This section seemed very relaxing. With the initial excitement, and after a few breaks, accompanied by beautiful scenery, I suddenly saw a very outstanding blue in the distance, which made the blue sky look dim. The snow-capped mountains in the distance were clearly visible, standing tall, surrounded by white clouds, and shadows were reflected in the mountains...
As an ordinary person, I have not been to many fairylands, so I think it is probably like this.
I have been to Qinghai Lake, and when I came to see Yanghu Lake, I was not as surprised as I imagined. The lake water was not as blue as I imagined. I wonder if Namtso Lake is more beautiful.
There is only one viewing platform open at Yamdrok Lake, so the photos are inevitably the same. In addition, the weather was dark when we went there, so we didn't see its most beautiful moment. We went down to the lake and had dinner in a Tibetan restaurant by the lake, which was quite special.
It is called "Yam Lake" for short. When you look down from a high place, the blue lake is so beautiful that you almost cry. It is a picture of heaven on earth. The lake surface nearby is sparkling under the sunlight, which is so beautiful that it cannot be described. At the end of the lake is the snow-capped mountains, and the Mani piles on the shore make people feel the strong Tibetan style.
Yamdrok Lake is so beautiful. It is a place I strongly recommend to my friends. I have also been there on both of my trips to Tibet. The green water of the lake is like emerald and agate, and is deeply imprinted in my mind. Yamdrok Lake is one of the three sacred lakes in Tibet, and the water is clear and beautiful.
In 2016, I rented a car to go to Yamdrok Lake. I crossed the mountains and passed 18 bends on the mountain road. Finally, I saw the fairy goddess lake in my dream. It was so beautiful.
When you first see Yanghu Lake, you will feel that the more than one-hour Gangbala winding mountain road is worth it. All the compliments here seem so pale and powerless. The blue lake is like a mirror inlaid with snow-capped mountains, blue sky and white clouds. It is so beautiful that it makes people stunned and unforgettable. Here, you will forget the altitude sickness of 4490 meters above sea level, because this magnificence, this magnificence, this uniqueness itself will make you lack of oxygen and make you intoxicated.
I came here three times in May 2016, August 2017, and April 2019. The scenery remains the same and the service has improved each time. It is a must-visit attraction.
In March, there was still a thin layer of ice on the surface of Yanghu Lake that had not completely melted. . . In the sun, the water and ice showed different reflections, and the colors were also layered. . .
On the way to Yanghu Lake, there is a viewing platform for the Yarlung Zangbo River at the Gangbala Pass, which is more than 5,000 meters above sea level. Tibetans took photos with tourists with Tibetan mastiffs... The ferocious and fierce Tibetan mastiffs have become gentle and docile pets. Distortion and alienation are everywhere, and animals are not immune... On the way from Yanghu Lake to Pum Yumtso, LG also took a photo of two black-necked cranes from afar in a farmland. Unfortunately, only these two were seen in a large area...
The scenery is so beautiful that people will question whether the photos have been photoshopped. It is about an hour's drive from the city, but it is still worth going.
There is a rest area just before the scenic spot. A Tibetan family runs this rest stop. The toilets here are super clean.
I have been to Yanghu Lake in both summer and winter. Yanghu Lake in summer is my favorite and the most beautiful. In winter, the lake is frozen and snowy, which makes it very cold, so you have to be careful on the road. However, Yanghu Lake in winter is quiet.
After crossing the 5030-meter Gangbala Pass, Yanghu Lake will naturally jump out, and you will find a long ribbon-shaped lake. Yanghu Lake will present you with different appearances under different weather conditions, sometimes dark blue, sometimes green. The best viewing location of Yanghu Lake is at the viewing platform. You need a ticket to get here, which is about 40 yuan in the off-season and 60 yuan in the peak season. Of course, if you are driving by yourself, you can also not go to this viewing platform if you don’t want to spend the ticket money, because there are many viewing locations with good views along the road below the viewing platform. However, Yanghu Lake has begun to pay attention to the viewing belt along the way, and is also improving the infrastructure accordingly. It is estimated that in the near future, these free viewing spots will be enclosed without tickets. There is a village under Yanghu Lake that is also worth visiting. The scenery will be better in the rape blossom season from May to June, but I think Yanghu Lake will be more beautiful from September to December. In the peak season from May to August, Yanghu Lake has more rain, which may sometimes disappoint you.
There are always surprises on the way around the lake, with sunshine in the east and rain in the west, it seems like the Milky Way is falling from the sky.
Next to Meimeimei is a Tibetan Mastiff. Take a photo with it for 10 yuan each.
After the first lake in Lhasa~
One of the three holy lakes, the scenery is very beautiful. If you have time, you can go to Rito Temple.
It is really beautiful, but unfortunately you can't go down to the lake with the tour group. It's hard to take pictures from the top and combine people and scenery
It is not far from Lhasa. You have to pass the snow-capped mountains on the way. It is still worth going. If you have time, you can go around the lake. I heard it is 200 kilometers.
Yamdrok Lake covers an area of 675 square kilometers and its lake surface is 4,441 meters above sea level.
As shown in the picture, a part of Yamdrok Lake is very vast. There are countless curved corners and branches, like countless cells.
It's beautiful. Standing at the highest point and looking at the scenery below is really nice.
The scenery is absolutely beautiful, but the toilets and other things may be dirty.
Yanghu Lake, also known as Yanghu Lake, is one of the three sacred lakes in Tibet and a must-see destination.
On the way to Shigatse, you will pass by Yamdrok Lake, which is also one of the three holy lakes in Tibet. It means Gem Fairy Lake because the color of Yamdrok Lake is very beautiful, like blue gems scattered by fairies on earth. It is most beautiful to stand on the top of Gangbala Mountain to appreciate Yamdrok Lake. When the weather is good, the lake surface is azure blue, and the color of the lake surface will gradually become lighter as the altitude decreases. Unfortunately, it is cloudy and rainy, and you can only feel the gloomy atmosphere.
My friend thought I was amazing. It rarely rains in Tibet, but I encountered a few days when it rained almost every day. But the oxygen content in the air will be higher than usual, which is a good thing.