Polar Nagqu | A Day Trip to Shenzha

On our fifth day in Tibet, we encountered a local summer festival in Xiongmei Town, Shenzha County, by the beautiful Cuo'e Lake. The event featured singing and dancing performances, Guozhuang dances, horse racing, shooting competitions, and various other activities, along with delicious local snacks. Many families came with elders and children, making it a lively and bustling scene. A few of us girls were lucky enough to try on the local Baza costumes, said to be the attire of ancient princesses. The outfits were colorful, and the headpieces were extravagant yet stunning—though I must admit, I didn’t quite look like a local wearing them. Not far from the event grounds was the Cuo'e Lake Bird Island. Aerial views made it resemble the Maldives, with thousands of birds densely populating the island—a truly spectacular sight. After leaving Cuo'e Lake, we visited the famous Siling Co in Nagqu, the second-largest saltwater lake in China (after Qinghai Lake) and the largest in Tibet. Along the way, we saw herds of yaks and sheep, as well as many Tibetan antelopes and even a lone black-necked crane. By the lakeside, there was a tourist service center, and we spotted some RVs camping and cooking. Climbing up to the viewing platform, we could see panoramic views of both Siling Co and Cuo'e Lake. The two lakes lie close to each other, separated only by a road, creating a breathtaking aerial vista—though the high-altitude hike was exhausting. P.S.: I discovered that Shenzha County has many off-the-beaten-path attractions not found online, so I’ll be staying here a few more days to explore more hidden gems.