Rated by National Geographic as the most beautiful lake in eastern Tibet! Autumn at Basongcuo is like God spilling

Hi, I’m Kaka. When I came to Basongcuo in autumn, I truly understood what “a paradise on earth” means. This is a real “heaven on earth.” The lake water is an incredible emerald green, and the mountains and forests on both sides dress up in autumn colors. Red, yellow, and green intertwine and reflect in the water, as beautiful as a richly colored oil painting.

【Itinerary Planning: 2 Days 1 Night In-Depth Experience Tour】
Day 1: Depart from Lhasa or Nyingchi, arrive at Basongcuo Scenic Area by noon. Stay at Cuogao Village homestay on the lake island (highly recommended!). In the afternoon, stroll to the lake island, visit Cuozong Gongba Monastery, then walk along the lakeside boardwalk and enjoy the tranquility.
Day 2: Early morning watch the morning mist and sunlit golden mountains by the lake (weather permitting). Then head to Xincuo (requires hiking or driving), a more pristine secret spot. Return in the afternoon. This route lets you fully experience both the calm and dynamic sides of Basongcuo.

【Highlights Recommendation: Emotional Tags】
【Speechlessly Beautiful Lake Island】Cuogao Village: Staying on the island lets you truly own the mornings and evenings of Basongcuo. Open the window to see the lake, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, as if isolated from the world.
【Hiker’s Paradise】Xincuo: It takes some driving and hiking to get there, but the scenery is absolutely worth it! Mountains, pastures, streams, forests, with autumn colors even more wild and pristine.
【Secluded Tranquility】Jieba Village: “Jieba” means “forgotten” in Tibetan. This lakeside village is quiet and peaceful, a great place to daydream and experience Tibetan family life.

【Check-in Guide: 📸 Photo Spot List】
Lake Island Viewing Platform: The place to take the standard ID photo of Basongcuo, with emerald lake water, the lake island, and snow mountains all in view.
Zhaxi Island Boardwalk: The wooden boardwalk around the island offers multiple excellent angles to capture reflections of the lake and autumn forest, very dreamy.
On the way to Xincuo: The valley, pasture, and stream autumn scenery along the way is stunning. You can stop anytime to take photos; everywhere is a scenic spot.
Photo Outfit Tips: The environment’s colors are pure. Wearing red, white, or Tibetan blue clothes will stand out. You can bring a Tibetan-style shawl for both photos and warmth.

【In-Depth Experience Story】
I chose to stay at a homestay in Cuogao Village. Early the next morning, I was awakened by birdsong outside the window. Opening the window, thin mist floated over the lake, and the mountains on the opposite shore appeared faintly in the dawn light. I walked alone to the lakeside; the whole world was so quiet that only my heartbeat and the gentle lapping of the lake water remained. The sun slowly rose, the mist gradually dispersed, and the lake revealed its emerald true color. The forest on the opposite shore changed from dark green to golden yellow and fiery red. Sitting by the lake under the prayer flags, watching the changing light and shadow, I felt an unprecedented peace inside. At that moment, I forgot all worries and wished time would just stop.

【Practical Information ✍🏻】
Altitude Sickness: Basongcuo is about 3,400 meters above sea level, lower than Lhasa, but you still need to move slowly.
Transportation: Renting a car or taking a shuttle bus from Nyingchi is most convenient. The road to Xincuo is poor, so it’s best to rent a local off-road vehicle.
Accommodation: Cuogao Village homestays are quite rustic but have unbeatable views. If you have higher accommodation requirements, you can stay at hotels near the scenic area entrance.
Best Time: October is when the autumn colors are at their best.

This autumn, if you want to find a quiet and splendid fairyland, Basongcuo will definitely not disappoint you.

Post by TheLiteraryLounge | Oct 16, 2025