Yamdrok Lake

Background

Yamdrok Lake lies in Nagarzê County, Shannan City, Tibet Autonomous Region, about 100 kilometres southwest of Lhasa and about 90 kilometres east of Gyantse. It is a freshwater lake at 4,441 metres above sea level, with a surface area of about 638 square kilometres; there are islands and peninsulas in the lake, and the Kamba La Pass is the viewpoint for taking in the whole lake. Yamdrok Lake is one of the four sacred lakes of Tibet. Samding Monastery, on a lakeside peninsula, is the only monastery in Tibet headed by a female reincarnated lama; on one of the islands stand the remains of an old fort, Pede Dzong. The lake water nourishes the pastures and fisheries along its shores.

Local customs

• Look down over the coral-shaped shoreline from the Kamba La Pass
• follow a stretch of the lakeside road to see the bays and snow-capped mountains
• visit Samding Monastery on its lakeside peninsula
• and in summer watch the yaks and sheep on the lakeside grassland.

Travel tips

• Yamdrok Lake is at high altitude, so take things slowly, drink plenty of water and watch for altitude sickness such as headaches and shortness of breath
• descend or seek medical help promptly if you feel unwell. The shore is windy with large temperature swings, so bring a windproof jacket
• ticket and shuttle prices are as officially announced by the scenic area.
• From Lhasa, cross the Kamba La Pass along the Lhasa–Gyantse road
• you can also take the loop from Lhasa via Yamdrok Lake to Shigatse. In summer and autumn the lake colour is at its most beautiful and the grassland is green
• in winter the lake freezes, so keep an eye on the weather and road conditions on the pass.