The snow scenery of Yamdrok Lake

Yamdrok Lake is about 2.5 hours, or 100 kilometers, southwest of Lhasa. There is no public transportation to the lake, so you'll need to go by private or group tour. We can help you arrange your visit and set you up with a safe and knowledgeable guide for the best possible experience.

The lake is 4,441 meters above sea level, making it one of the highest freshwater lakes in the world. It's also one of the largest freshwater lakes in China, spanning 638 square kilometers. The waters are a vibrant turquoise color, which stands out beautifully in pictures, especially against a backdrop of the Nyenchen Tanglha mountains.

Yamdrok, Manasarovar, and Namtso are Tibet's three sacred lakes. As the legend goes, Yamdrok Lake was once several smaller lakes until a fairy named Dakini Yeshe Tsogyal united them all. As long as these lakes stay as one, Tibet will be a prosperous place for people and animals to live.

It's also where the reincarnation of the next Dalai Lama is believed to appear, which lends it immense religious significance for Buddhists. Pilgrims visit Yamdrok Lake regularly to walk, pray, and cleanse their sins by hiking around the lake, a journey which can take 3 to 6 months.

You'll find plenty to do at Yamdrok Lake, including photographing the turquoise waters and snow-capped mountains, seeing the lake's animal life, including yaks, sheep, and sea birds, or enjoying one of the many hiking trails around the lake. You can also take a scenic drive around the entirety of Yamdrok Lake, which will give you wonderful views of it from all sides.

Scenery of Yamdrok Lake

Any picture of Yamdrok Lake is bound to look like something straight out of a photograph. That's because the contrast of the vivid blue water and snowy mountains is so picture-perfect. Depending on what time of day you arrive and the weather conditions, Yamdrok Lake might appear deep aqua or lighter blue, but it's always a sight to behold.

You can also photograph the local sheep, yaks, and seabirds from a safe distance. Yamdrok Lake's avian life includes brown-headed gulls and geese, and they are especially abundant in some of the smaller islands in the lake. You might see Tibetan Mastiffs near the lake. These animals are generally with their handlers, and you will need to pay a small fee of 5RMB to 10RMB per picture.

Local store beside the Yamdrok Lake

Visiting local villages and temples is a great opportunity to experience Tibetan life up close. We can put together a personalized itinerary for you and help you make the most of your time at Yamdrok Lake. Rituo Temple, also known as the "loneliest temple," sits on a thin peninsula in Lake Yamdrok. Only one monk and a Tibetan mastiff live there, and it's a peaceful and tranquil place that dates back 600 years.

The Yamdrok Lake in Tibet

Although pilgrims and serious hikers might want to take on the 250-kilometer distance around Yamdrok Lake, you can also travel by car. Driving around the lake is one of the best ways to see it from all vantage points.

You can also take pictures of the lake from a few nearby passes and platforms. The Yanghu Platform offers a higher elevation view of the lake and is a great spot to take aerial pictures of the shoreline. Langbuqi Platform gives you a 360-degree view of the lake and the mountains beyond, and Gampala Pass Platform is a great place to capture full shots of the lake in the distance.

The Karola Glacier in Tibet

Karola Glacier is about 1.5 hours from Yamdrok Lake in Shigatse City. It's famously beautiful, with plenty of detailed ice formations. At 5,039 meters above sea level, the air is quite thin near Karola Glacier, so make sure you're hydrated and take it easy when hiking around up there.

The view of Yamdrok Lake on a sunny day

The warmer months between April and September are the best time to visit Yamdrok Lake. The weather is mild enough during this time to fully enjoy the outdoor splendor of the lake. If you travel between July and September, you could encounter some rainstorms, so make sure to dress in layers and bring waterproof clothing on your visit.

• You cannot visit Yamdrok Lake without a Tibet Travel Permit. We can help you get the proper documentation and set up your guided trip so that you don't have to worry about a thing.
• Make sure to wear plenty of sunblock at Yamdrok Lake. The sun's rays are strong at this altitude, and there isn't much shade around the lake itself. A sunhat, glasses, and altitude medication are also good ideas.
• Temperatures can change quickly at Yamdrok Lake, so layers are always a good idea, and a waterproof jacket if you're traveling during the rainy months.
• There is no fishing or swimming permitted in Yamdrok Lake, and you should avoid taking pictures of monks or pilgrims without their permission.