Reverse travel is awesome! A guide to lesser-known photo spots at Yamdrok Lake in autumn, avoiding tourists to capture ethereal masterpieces

When the tour buses drop off crowds of tourists at the viewing platform, I’m already driving deep along Yamdrok Lake, searching for secret spots known only to locals and seasoned travelers. This guide teaches you how to avoid the crowds and enjoy the most enchanting corners of Yamdrok Lake alone.
【Itinerary Planning: Map Route Description (Exploring the North Shore)】
My route is: depart from Lhasa → cross Gangbala Pass (no stop) → instead of going down to the main road by the lake, turn right onto a dirt road to explore the north shore of Yamdrok Lake → pass some small villages and excellent lake-view points along the way → drive all the way to near Rituo Monastery (depending on road conditions and time, decide whether to get closer) → return the same way or continue circling the lake. The north shore road conditions are rougher but the scenery is more pristine.
【Highlights: Hidden Experiences】
✅ Tranquility of the North Shore: Compared to the main road on the south shore, the north shore is almost free of tourists. It’s closer to the lake surface with a lower viewpoint, allowing you to quietly sit by the lake and listen to the sound of the waves.
✅ Encounter Wildlife: On the north shore, you have a great chance to see herds of Tibetan antelope (commonly called white-rumped sheep), marmots, and possibly foxes. The ecosystem here is more original.
✅ Find Your Own Perspective: Leaving the main road, you’ll discover countless unique lake-view spots. Maybe a small lake bay or a golden meadow facing the lake’s center, where you can enjoy the beauty all to yourself.
【Check-in Tips: Creating a Cinematic Feel】
Low-angle shots of the lakeshore: Lie down and get the lens close to the stones or grass by the lake, using the foreground to highlight the vastness and layers of the lake surface.
Use foreground composition: Find some mani stones, prayer flags, or water birds as foreground elements, shooting the lake and snowy mountains behind. This adds depth and a religious atmosphere to the image.
Shoot dynamic videos: Use your phone or camera to record slow-motion videos of the lake water gently lapping the shore or prayer flags fluttering in the wind. Pair with ethereal music for a highly emotional video.
Black and white imagery: Try shooting Yamdrok Lake in black and white mode to filter out the changing blues, emphasizing the lines, textures, and light and shadow of the mountains and lake. This creates a particularly concise and powerful work.
【In-depth Experience Story】
We bumped along the dirt road on the north shore and stopped at a small hill where we could see Rituo Monastery. There was no one here, only the sound of wind and clouds. We spread out a picnic mat and had lunch facing Yamdrok Lake. A herd of Tibetan antelope watched us warily from nearby, then gracefully ran away. I lay on the grass, watching the fast-moving clouds cast shifting shadows on the lake, whose colors changed in an instant. At that moment, I felt I was no longer a hurried passerby but, like the mountains, the lake, and the animals, temporarily part of this land. This sense of immersion cannot be experienced from the viewing platform.
【Practical Information: Pitfall Avoidance Guide⚠️】
Vehicle requirements: Exploring the north shore requires an SUV or off-road vehicle; sedans easily get stuck. It’s best to have an experienced driver.
Safe driving: The dirt road has many bends and is narrow, so drive cautiously and slowly. Avoid driving onto the soft sandy areas by the lake, as vehicles easily get stuck.
Leave no trace: Please take all your trash with you to protect this pristine land.
Respect locals: Slow down when passing villages and pastures, and do not scare the livestock.
【Food and Accommodation🍽️🏡】
Dining: It’s recommended to bring your own snacks and water and picnic in scenic spots. There are small restaurants in Langkazi County, but choices are limited.
Accommodation: Usually, a one-day trip to Yamdrok Lake is enough, returning to Lhasa for lodging. If you want to see the starry sky, Langkazi County has very basic hotels.
Want to experience a different, more original Yamdrok Lake? Then bravely leave the main road and go explore!