Things to do in Damxung

Namtso National Park

Namtso National Park is located between Damxung County of Lhasa and Baingoin County of Nagqu, situated on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau known as the "roof of the world." The attraction includes Namtso, the main peak of Nyenchen Tanglha, bird islands on the lake, rock carvings, Yangbajing, and other attractions. The core attraction of the park, Namtso, is one of the three holy lakes and also one of the world's highest-altitude saltwater lakes. Under sunlight, Namtso's lake surface appears sapphire blue, resembling jade fallen from the sky, earning it the title "heavenly lake" and making it a renowned site in Tibetan Buddhism. The lake contains three larger islands, which are rarely disturbed by the outside world and host diverse bird populations, hence called bird islands. To the south of Namtso lies the perpetually snow-capped Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains, while its northern and western sides feature plateau hills and expansive lakeshores. In the folk songs and legends of local herders and hunters, Nyenchen Tanglha and Namtso are not only striking sacred mountains and lakes but also inseparable lovers and spouses. Nyenchen Tanglha appears more majestic against the backdrop of Namtso, while Namtso becomes even more enchanting with the reflection of Nyenchen Tanglha.

No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Tibet

Namtso

Namtso is located on the northern Xizang plateau north of Lhasa. "Namtso" means "heavenly lake" in Tibetan and is called "Tengri Sea" in Mongolian, both sharing the same meaning. Along with Yamdrok Yumtso and Mapam Yumtso, it is known as one of the three holy lakes of Xizang. With a surface elevation of over 4700 m, it stretches more than 70 km from east to west and covers nearly 2000 km², making it the second largest saltwater lake in Xizang. Its southern shore is backed by the continuous Nyenchen Tanglha snow-capped mountains, whose peaks reflect clearly in the sapphire-blue lake water on calm sunny days. According to local legends, these mountains and Namtso have been companions for millennia, adding a touch of tenderness to the landscape. Lake tour Namtso means "Tengri Sea" in Mongolian and is said to be the sacred site of the Buddhist deity Chakrasamvara, making it a renowned pilgrimage destination in Tibetan Buddhism. During the Year of the Sheep, it is believed that buddhas, bodhisattvas, and protector deities gather at Namtso to hold grand religious ceremonies. If devotees circle the lake and chant scriptures once during this time, it is considered more meritorious than doing so 100,000 times in ordinary years, bringing immeasurable blessings. Thus, during the Year of the Sheep, monastic and lay devotees undertake long journeys to circumambulate the lake. Many pilgrims visit Namtso during the Saga Dawa festival on the 15th day of the fourth month in the Tibetan calendar. 1-day tour Many travel agencies in Lhasa offer 1-day tour packages to Namtso. The typical itinerary involves departing in the morning, arriving after 3-4 hours, spending 2-3 hours exploring, and then returning the same way. If you don't want a private charter, this is the only option available and also the conventional way to visit Namtso. For those who prefer to avoid the crowds, you can arrange a private charter or find a shared transfer in Lhasa city. While the route remains the same, the advantage is greater itinerary flexibility, along with the option to stay overnight by the lakeshore. Leaving Damxung County and crossing the Nagen La Pass at an elevation of 5190 m, one can glimpse the vast sapphire-blue waters in the distance. By the lakeside stand two towering boulders side by side, known as the welcoming stones of Namtso or the husband-and-wife stones. Legend has it they are the gatekeepers of Namtso. It is said they represent the goddess who governs the wealth of northern Xizang's grasslands. Merchants would pray here for her blessing before business trips to ensure prosperity, hence these stones are also called the wealth deity stones. A number of prefabricated houses have been built near Tashi Peninsula, including restaurants and inns. This is where Namtso offers food and stay by the lake. If you come to Namtso by private charter, you can spend a night here. You can enjoy the beautiful sunset at dusk, wake up early to greet the sunrise on Tashi Peninsula, or gaze at the sky by Namtso's lake at midnight, where you can even discern the outline of the Milky Way. The lake area features high altitude, strong winds, and intense UV radiation. Even in midsummer, temperatures can drop to around 10°C in the morning and evening, so packing a thick coat, sunglasses, and sunscreen is advisable. Slow down when moving through mountain passes or along the lakeshore to allow your body time to adjust. Please show respect when observing pilgrims circling the lake or photographing mani stones and prayer flags, and avoid stepping on the mani piles. Most travelers make a round-trip from Lhasa in a single day, but we recommend setting aside a full day and bringing your own snacks and hot water. From June to September, the lakeside grasslands are lush with vegetation and wildflowers, offering exceptionally rich scenery. In winter, the frozen lake and vast landscape create a unique atmosphere, but pay close attention to weather conditions and your physical state before traveling.

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Namtso Tashi Peninsula

The Zhaxi Peninsula, also known as the Auspicious Love Island, is located in Dangxiong County, Xizang. It is the largest peninsula in Namtso and an important tourist attraction for visiting Namtso. The Zhaxi Peninsula is located at the southeast end of Namtso Lake and extends northward into the lake. It is a peninsula of about 10 square kilometers made of limestone. In the middle is a small hill several dozen meters high. At the north end, there are countless stone pillars and strange stone peaks. There are also natural stone bridges connecting the peaks. Because it has been eroded by the water of the lake for a long time, there are many quiet caves on the island, which are full of stalactites, forming a unique karst landform. Such a strange and colorful landform on Zhaxi Island is a wonder. Zhaxi Peninsula is the most concentrated place for religious activities in Namtso. There is Zhaxi Temple on the peninsula (Zhaxi means auspicious in Tibetan), which is still filled with incense and morning bells. There is a large cave beside the circumambulation road of the peninsula, called the Lotus Cave. It is said that there is a naturally formed Lotus Pagoda in the cave. Along the circumambulation path of the peninsula to the lake, the first thing you see is the welcoming stone on the roadside. Countless banners as long as the welcoming stone of the Zhaxi Peninsula float down from the top of the mountain, decorating the huge stone with colorful colors. The welcoming stone is two pieces of dissolved stone, also known as the husband and wife stone, and is the door god of Namtso.

No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Damxung

Laken La

Laken La is a must-pass point when traveling from Lhasa to Namtso. The altitude here is 5,190 m, and a stone tablet engraved with the altitude stands by the roadside. Standing here and looking north, the lake surface meets the distant mountains at the horizon. This is a rare high-altitude viewing point before reaching the lakeshore, and many people take their time to admire this plateau lake scenery. The terrain here is elevated, with undulating mountains all around, and the weather is changeable. When it is sunny, you can see the rolling snow-capped mountains in the distance and the vast plateau landscape; when the weather is poor, conditions such as clouds, fog, snow, and strong winds may occur.

No. 13 of Best Things to Do in Lhasa

Nyainqentanglha Mountain

Nyainqentanglha Mountain is a major mountain range spanning the central Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, running in a near east-west direction, with its western section adjacent to the holy lake, Namtso, extending southeast into the hinterland of southeastern Tibet, with an average elevation of 5,000–6,000 m. It is geographically significant, serving as both the watershed between the Yarlung Zangbo River and the Qiangtang Plateau in northern Tibet, and as the boundary line for cold and warm climates on the plateau. The main peak has an elevation of 7,162 m, standing on the southern shore of Namtso, with its summit covered in snow year-round. Both the Qinghai-Tibet Highway and the Qinghai-Tibet Railway pass by the foot of the mountain. From clear mornings to afternoons, the mountain's silhouette is exceptionally distinct, while on rainy or cloudy days, the summit is mostly hidden in the clouds.

North Tibet Grassland

North Tibet Grassland has an average altitude of over 4,000m. The grassland stretches northward, reaching deep into the hinterland of northern Tibet. There are no gates or fences here. The Qinghai-Tibet Highway runs straight through the pasture, and you can step right into a scene featuring grassland, cattle, sheep, and snow-capped mountains all in one frame. In summer, the grass turns green, and herds of yaks and sheep are scattered across the gently rolling pastures, dotted with the black tents of herders. Sometimes you can even catch a glimpse of Tibetan gazelles darting across the grass tips. In the fall and winter, the grass turns yellow, presenting a different, vast, and boundless landscape.

Nyenchen Tanglha Viewing Platform

To reach Namtso, take National Highway 109, you need to pass through the observation deck of Nyainqentanglha Mountain (4640 meters above sea level), which is a good place to watch the main peak of Nyainqentanglha Mountain (7111 meters above sea level). In fact, the "observation deck" is a temporary stop on the side of the road, a row of ordinary houses with canteens, toilets, and a small parking lot. Along the road, prayer flags fluttered in the wind; in the distance, the mountains were majestic and snow-capped. The blue sky, white clouds, snow-capped mountains, black and white yaks, and prayer flags dancing in the wind, all of which constitute a colorful picture.

Nyainqentanglha Mountains

The Nyainqentanglha Mountains in Dangxiong are also known as Nyainqentanglha Peak, with an altitude of more than 7,000 meters. Many mountaineering teams have climbed this mountain. Nyainqentanglha Peak is adjacent to Namtso Lake and the scenery is beautiful.

No. 1 of Hot Springs Attractions in Tibet

Blue Paradise Yangbajing Geothermal Tourist Area

The geothermal resources near Lhasa are very rich. The Yangbajing geothermal hot spring is famous. The geothermal temperature in Yangbajing is basically constant. There are large-scale fountains and geysers, hot water lakes, etc. There are also rare explosion springs and intermittent hot springs. Every morning, due to the relatively cold air, there is always a white mist in the area around Yangbaijing. The huge steam generated by the geothermal field rises from the lake. If you are fortunate enough to run into a hot spring eruption, you can even see the hot springs rush from the spring to the sky,which is very spectacular.

Namtso National Scenic Area