Yamdrok Yumtso Lake

The holy Yamdrok Yumtso Lake lies to the south of Yarlong Tsangpo River in the Shannan Region of Tibet. It is one of three holy lakes in Tibet. As the largest freshwater lake in the northeast of the Himalayas with an area of about 638 square kilometers (about 246 square miles), it is in a length of 130 kilometers (about 81 miles) and a width of 70 kilometers (about 43 miles). Its surface is about 4,441 meters (about 14,570 feet) above the sea level. It is quite deep as the average depth is about 20-40 meters (about 11-22 fathoms) and the deepest point is almost 60 meters (about 33 fathoms) below the surface.
 The Yamdrok Yumtso Lake has some beautiful and vivid names like Coral Lake or Green Jade Lake. 

The former name is derived from its irregular shape, as the lake has many short streams winding from the nearby mountains and it appears much like the coral. 

Yamzho Yumco Lake

The latter name implies its beautiful appearance for pure clean water there is as smooth as the surface of fine jade. Lying under the sunshine, the peaceful water seems like a bright mirror. The reflection of sunshine in different depths give the lake gorgeous and mysterious colors. 

Overlooking from the nearby high mountain, one could see the Yamdrok Yumtso Lake, like a holy sapphire, set in the group of mountains. In the lake, are dotted several small islands. On the islands, fertile grasses and groups of wild birds betray peaceful but vigorous natural scenery. Embraced by the uninterrupted snow-capped mountains and lying under the clear blue sky, the Yamdrok Yumtso Lake appears very holy and evokes solemnity.
 There are 5 observation decks to see the panorama of Yamdrok Yumtso Lake.No.1 Deck owns the highest altitude and you can see the panorama of the Lake. 
 The other 4 decks are all free except CNY10 parking fee for No.2. No.2 and No.4 are recommended as the scenery is also good and you can take photos with animals like goats, Tibetan Mastiff, and yaks. The fee of taking photos is about CNY 10.
 Yamdrok Yumtso Lake is also said to be the female guardian in Tibetan Buddhism. People here believe that it will bless and protect them. Every year, many devotional followers would come here for pilgrimage. Some of them start on foot and give one prostration every three steps even from hundreds of kilometers away. All of these visitors bring much mystery and dignity to the charming holy Yamdrok Yumtso Lake.
 There are many beautiful stories about Yamdrok Yumtso Lake and these stories are about love and justice. For example, local people believe that in the past this lake was originally a goldfish, which was about to die, but a kind servant saved it. To return the boy’s kindness, the goldfish gave him a valuable pearl. Unluckily, the boy’s evil master wanted this pearl and more. The master threatened the boy to take him to see the goldfish, but the boy refused and was finally killed. To seek revenge for the friendly boy, the goldfish turned into the raging lake and submerged the master’s house. In another story, this lake is the incarnation of a wife who eagerly awaited her beloved husband.Yamdrok Yumtso Lake is 70 km (38 mi) southwest to Lhasa. You can take a minibus at Lhasa Beijiao Passenger Station at 9:00 a.m. or 14:00 p.m. The time needed for 1 single trip is about 2 hours. The price is CNY 70 per person for a single trip. Tell the driver where to get off the bus, and he or she would stop by designed place like the entrance of the Lake or observation decks.
 1. Entrance fee is CNY 60
2. No.1 observation deck charges CNY 60 per person in shoulder season, while CNY 120 in peak season.
 8:00 - 18:00 for observations decks