Visitor resting on the rock in Namtso. In Tibetan, Namtso means 'Heavenly Lake.' It is considered one of the three holy lakes in Tibet. Namtso is famous for its high altitude (4720 meters (about 3 miles)), vast area (1961 square kilometers (about 757 square miles) and beautiful scenery. [Photo: CRIENGLISH.COM/Liu Bing]
Have you ever had the feeling of being sick of daily life? Do you want to escape the boring office meetings, crowded city life, choked traffic, dense air pollution and endless mobile phone calls?
Before going to Lhasa, I had decided to explore and experience the place by myself. I had heard a lot about Lhasa being of one of the 10 places you can't miss visiting. But to my surprise, every one we met in Lhasa strongly recommended we visit Namsto - one of the five most beautiful lakes in China. While it's common for a tourist spot to receive good and bad comments, nobody has anything negative to say about Namsto. After our trip there, I realized there is indeed a place to meet my high expectations.
Namtso in Tibetan means 'Heavenly Lake.' It is considered one of the three holy lakes in Tibet. Namtso is famous for its high altitude (4720 meters, about 3 miles), vast area (1961 square kilometers, about 757 square miles) and beautiful scenery.
The moment we went through Na Genla pass, which was at an altitude of 5190m, a crystal-clear blue lake greeted us. Being the highest altitude saltwater lake in the world, Namtso welcomes its visitors with its calm scenic vistas. Clear skies join the surface of the lake in the distance, purifying the soul of every visitor.
We thought the sky in Lhasa was blue, but here in Namsto, the lake was even bluer than the skies. Under the sunshine, you can see clearly the silhouette of snow mountains against the lake. When a light breeze blows, the ripples on the surface of the lake calm your mind. Your eyes can't help but stare at the mountains, the seas and the birds flying over the lake.
Though the sunshine was heavy as usual, four of us sat along the lake. We felt like singing to express ourselves. From pop to folk, from love to rock, we sang all kinds of songs for hours. We even sang the very popular song "Si Le Dou Yao Ai" or "Love Till Death", the one famed for its high tune, neglecting that we may need extra oxygen at the high altitude. But we were fine. Our songs drew the attention of passers-by. They began to sing around us too. All of a sudden, people were singing and dancing. We forgot all our worries. All we felt was happiness and the joy of being one with nature. We sat there till our stomachs began rumbling - it was time to eat.
You may have been to many places, seen many nice sites, but I bet Namsto won't let you down, especially you city dwellers. It's your best escape from city life. Trust me.
Note:
Getting there: There are no direct buses to Namtso Lake. The best way is to hire a taxi or a mini bus from Lhasa.
The sea level is 1100 meters (about 1203 yards) higher than that of Lhasa, therefore please bring lots of water and don't overexert yourself.
Admission Fee: CNY 80