Tibet's Lake Paiku: The Most Beautiful Scenery I've Ever Seen

Driving from Nyalam County to Gyirong County in Shigatse City along National Highway 219, the light blue lake slowly emerging on your right side will definitely amaze you. The snow-capped mountains on the other side are majestic and spectacular, complementing each other and making the surrounding scenery even more elegant and charming.

Lake Paiku is not only the largest lake in Shigatse, but also the largest inland lake in the Mount Everest National Nature Reserve. It is 250 km away from Tingri County, covers an area of about 300 square kilometers, and has an altitude of 4,590 m. Because it has remained low-key for many years, Lake Paiku is like a pearl on the plateau forgotten by time, quietly waiting for every traveler to visit. It's very serendipitous, and that's what I appreciate most about it.

In Tibetan, "Paiku" means "auspicious," and "Co" means "lake." So, in my opinion, although Lake Paiku is not very famous, it is worth a visit for both its meaning and its natural scenery. Interestingly, it is said that half of the lake's water is fresh and the other half is salty. If you are interested and brave enough, you can try tasting both.

Post by leona_ortiz_london | Feb 26, 2025