The name, Yamdrok Yumtso, is ancient Tibetan which translates literally as “ jasper lake of the upper pasture” and compares the waters of the lake to jadeite. Yamdroktso has three sisters that sit in the landscape basin with her, Kongmucuo Lake, Chen Co Lake, and Bajiucuo Lake, and all the lakes are linked together by natural waterways. And Yamdroktso also has a huge history of legends surrounding it. According to Tibetan folklore, the lake was formed from a fairy maiden who left the heavens to come to earth. The legend says that originally it was a set of nine lakes, which the fairy, Dakini Yeshe Tsogyal, feared would dry up if left as individual lakes, and all the creatures of the lakes would die. In despair for the creatures, she threw seven Liang of gold into the air as wishes, reciting her holy mantras, and as the gold landed it joined all the lakes together in one.
Another myth surrounding the lake is one that surrounds a white bird. Long ago, in a small hamlet beside the lake known as Terre-Blanche, lived a young girl who loved to bathe in the cold waters of the lake every evening, to keep her skin fair. A rich man from the village wanted to take her as his concubine, though she had already fallen in love with another young man, so she refused to marry the man. Late one evening, the man hid in the water of the lake close to where she bathed, and when the girl came to the lake, he grabbed her to drag her to his home. The myth tells how a fairy appeared standing on a cloud above the surface of the lake and beat the man to death with her beads. Even in death, the man would not let go his hold on the girl, and he dragged her to the bottom of the lake with him, drowning her. When the villagers came to look for the girl in the early morning light, while shouting her name, a brilliant white bird emerged from the water and flew over the mountains and away from the village. Since the villagers never found her body, only that of the rich man, they believed that the girl had been transformed into a white bird by the fairy. Since then, the lake has always been home to large numbers of birds all year round.
Best Time to Visit Yamdrok Lake
Yamdroktso is one of the most popular tourist spots in Tibet, and thousands of foreign visitors come to the lake every year. For most tourists to the region, the best time to visit Lake Yamdrok is from[dt_highlight color=”” text_color=”blue” bg_color=””] May to July and September to mid-November[/dt_highlight], when the temperatures are relatively mild, and there is very little rain. Besides, various migrant birds will migrate to the Yamdrok Lake to spend winter there, which makes the holy lake more charming. However, it is still a good idea to have rain gear and a warm jacket, as it can still get cold in the early evenings and into the night. Every year from mid-Nov, the lake begins to freeze, and the temperature drops dramatically. Summer is the rainy season. The temperature is appropriate but the sky is gray, which is difficult for you to get ideal light.
What to See around Yamdrok Lake
Sitting on the high-altitude plateau of Tibet, Yamdrok Lake has nestled between the flanks of the mountains of the Himalayas, on the road from Lhasa to Gyantse, in Nangartse County of Shannan Prefecture. It is the largest inland lake in the northern Himalayas and is supplied with melting ice from the spring thaws, which give it a very low saline level. The scenery of Yamdrok Lake can be the best in southern Tibet, including snow-capped mountains, glacier, island, grassland, farm and other landscapes. The lakeshore of Yamdrok Lake is a good pasture with herds of cattle, wild animals, and plants. And there are many things for visitors to do and see while exploring the area of this sacred lake.
Just as there are many sacred mountains, the Tibetan people also believe that lakes are sacred too. For Tibetan Buddhists, they believe that lakes are the homes of protective gods, which are invested with special, spiritual powers. Many devout Buddhists travel to these sacrosanct lakes every year, to walk around the lake’s perimeter in what is known as a holy “kora”. At Yamdroktso, this kora can take a month or more when riding a horse, and around three months if walking and prostrating in prayer around the lakeshore. They do this instead of making a pilgrimage to Lhasa and believe that Buddha will bless them with good luck and happiness in the coming year. For those who love walking, the hike around the lake is one that should not be missed, if you have the time. You will also see many Tibetan pilgrims prostrating themselves at points around the lakeshore.
Tips for Shooting Yamdrok Lake
Photography at Yamdrok Lake is best done around sunrise and sunset, as the skies glow with the sun light, and the reflection in the turquoise waters of the lake is spectacular. There are several good shooting locations for lake photography. Khamba La pass observatory is the perfect spot for shooting Lake Yamdrok, and you can see the winding road in the distance adding to the backdrop of the lake. And if you stand at the turn of the pass, you can get a great wide-angled shot of the scenic view of snow mountain and the lake. There are many options for photographers on the lakeside, as well as the waterfowl and birds out on the lake, though you will need a good telephoto lens for that. Tibetan mastiffs can also be found at certain points on the lakeside, and for a small fee, you can have photographs taken with one of the world’s rarest dogs.
Photography with Tibetan Mastiffs at Yamdrok lakeshoreYou can take photo with Tibetan Mastiffs at Yamdrok lakeshore with small payment.
Note:
- When taking photos at Khamba La pass, a use stones to steady a tripod as the wind through the pass can be strong.
- The Yamdrok Lake is located approximately 120 km (75 mi) southwest of Lhasa. It is easy to drive from Lhasa to the Yamdrok Lake. If you are making a Tibet tour from Lhasa to EBC and Kathmandu, it is not necessary to drive to the lakeshore. You can get a full view of Yamdrok Lake at Khampa-la Pass. In this case, you do not need to pay the entrance ticket to the lake which is CNY40.
Packing List for Yamdrok Lake Tour
As with all tours in Tibet, warm clothing is a must. Although the weather can be warmer in the peak seasons, it can still get very cold at night, especially if you are camping by the lakeshore. Ensure you have plenty of warm clothes, as well as thick socks and strong, sturdy walking boots, as the terrain can be a little rough.
Medicines should be kept with you, especially if you have to take regular medication, and talk to your doctor about altitude sickness medication before you leave, to make sure you can take it if necessary. A small first aid kit is an advantage, and make sure you have a hat, sunglasses, sun cream, and lip balm. The sun can still burn, despite the colder climate, and the wind is strong enough to chap lips very quickly in the cold air.
