#Tashi Peninsula Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in May)
Islands/Peninsulas
Address:
In Namco County Scenic Area, Dangxiong County, Lhasa City
Opening times:
Opens at 06:00-18:00Open
Recommended sightseeing time:
3 hours
Winter at Namtso
Namtso Heavenly Lake - Travel Guide. Namtso is one of the three holy lakes of Tibet, which in Tibetan means 'Heavenly Lake'. It is located in the southern part of Shigatse, Tibet Autonomous Region, at an altitude of 4718 meters. The lake stretches 70 kilometers from east to west and 30 kilometers from north to south, covering an area of 1920 square kilometers. It is a stunningly beautiful and mysterious tourist attraction. On a sunny and breezy day, the majestic Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains are reflected in the lake, creating a tranquil and peaceful scene.
1. Best Viewing Spots
The Nagenla Pass, at an altitude of 5190 meters, is one of the best spots to view Namtso from a distance. From there, one can see the vast expanse of azure water. Namtso, like a gem lost by the heavens and quietly set among the mountains, is breathtaking.
2. Best Season to Visit
The best time to visit Namtso is from June to September during the summer and autumn months. Namtso is inaccessible due to heavy snowfall in October and November, and the weather from November to May of the following year is cold and dry, making it unsuitable for mountain excursions.
3. Food Recommendations
Most of the restaurants on Tashi Peninsula are Tibetan restaurants run by Tibetans, along with some Sichuanese restaurants. Due to high transportation costs, most dishes are quite expensive, ranging from 30 to 50 yuan. It is advisable to bring your own dry food and water. Alternatively, you can dine in Damxung County, where Tibetan and Sichuanese restaurants are the main options.
4. Transportation
1. You can choose a travel agency in Lhasa to provide a one-day tour to Namtso, usually departing in the morning, arriving in 3-4 hours, playing for 2-3 hours, and then returning the same way.
2. You can also charter a car or join a carpool within Lhasa, following the same route. The advantage is the flexibility of the itinerary, and you can also choose to stay overnight by the lake.
5. Entrance Fee
Namtso is a 4A-level scenic area. During the peak season (May 1 to October 31), the ticket price is 120 yuan per person, and during the off-season (November 1 to April 30 of the following year), it is 60 yuan per person. Half-price discounts are available for children under 6 years old, full-time undergraduate and below students with a valid student ID, seniors between 60 and 70 years old (excluding 70 years old), active military personnel, disabled veterans, and individuals with a valid disability certificate.
6. Precautions
1. Namtso is near the Qinghai-Tibet Highway, but please note that there are no gas stations nearby.
2. Namtso experiences significant temperature differences between day and night, with strong ultraviolet radiation. Be sure to keep warm, protect against the sun, and carry medication for altitude sickness.
3. Do not take photos of the yak horns by the lake casually, as they are chargeable. Do not secretly photograph yaks to avoid disputes with locals.
4. Drinking butter tea, dairy products, and eating beef and mutton in moderation can enhance your adaptability to the high-altitude climate.
5. Rest more when you first arrive on the plateau, drink more water, eat more fruits, abstain from smoking and alcohol, and avoid running and strenuous exercise.
6. The road from Lhasa to Namtso requires crossing a mountain pass at an altitude of 5190m, which is often covered with snow. Namtso's weather is unpredictable, with sudden downpours or hailstorms, and extremely low temperatures at night, so it is advisable to prepare a thick down jacket.
7. In winter, the Nagenla Pass is often covered with ice and snow. Therefore, for safety, it is recommended to call the local tourism bureau before traveling to Namtso to confirm whether the road is passable.
AMBROSE SOTO
Tibet | Will you regret not visiting the Holy Elephant Gate on your trip to Namtso?
I won't, I haven't.
For me, the most indispensable experience in traveling is comfort: including what the body endures and what the eyes see.
Before setting off, I compared the difficulty of departing from Lhasa to visit the Holy Elephant Gate and just going to the Tashi Peninsula:
💠 Holy Elephant Gate:
Altitude 4700 meters;
An 8-hour drive, even if you set off early in the morning, you won't arrive until evening;
If you stay overnight on the way, you can only choose between simple lakeside guesthouses or tents;
The road conditions are poor, with the last 50 kilometers being washboard roads;
Tickets must be booked three days in advance;
You can check in at the popular Elephant Stone photo spot (you need to climb up yourself), and gaze at the distant Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains;
💠 Tashi Peninsula:
Altitude 4700 meters;
A 3-hour drive, allowing for a round trip to Lhasa within the same day;
You can stay in the best hotel in Damxung County and enter the scenic area early the next morning to avoid the peak of the crowds;
The road conditions are good;
Tickets can be bought upon arrival;
You can't see the popular Elephant Stone, but you can get a close view of the Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains;
In Tibet, comfort is relative. After considering my physical condition, tolerance for hardship, and travel desires, I chose to give up on the Holy Elephant Gate.
Therefore, when I didn't spend too much time and energy on exhausting travel; when I could rest in the best hotel in Damxung County instead of sleeping in a lakeside tent dormitory; when I was lucky enough to catch good weather, and even if it was cloudy, I had ample time to wait for it to clear up; when I saw the Namtso Lake waters that looked like gems from afar and like jade up close, as well as the sacred Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains, I felt very fulfilled and had no regrets.
elysian_5265
Zaxi Peninsula
The Zaxi Peninsula, also known as the Auspicious Love Island, is located in Damxung County, Tibet. It is the largest peninsula of Namtso and the most important scenic spot for visiting Namtso. The Zaxi Peninsula is the place where religious activities in Namtso are most concentrated.