Namtso (Nam-tso) is one of the holiest lakes in Tibet and one of the highest large lakes on earth, sitting at 4,718 metres about four hours northwest of Lhasa. The lake stretches over 70 km, its extraordinary turquoise waters bounded by snow peaks to the east and north — a landscape of austere, breathtaking beauty.
Tashi Dor monastery, built into the hillside at the lake's southeastern shore, is surrounded by prayer flags, mani stones, and yak skulls. The black tents of Tibetan nomads can be seen dotted around the shoreline — this is one of the best places in Tibet outside the remote Chang Tang to encounter nomadic herding life. The lake is also excellent for hiking and day walks, and the views from the surrounding hills at sunset, when the water turns an intense blue-green, are among the finest in Tibet.
Most visitors come on organised trips from Lhasa, with accommodation in yurt-style rooms or tents run by local families. Competition among tour operators is fierce, so it is easy to find a reasonable deal. Heinrich Harrer, author of Seven Years in Tibet, is said to have passed over the nearby Tanggula mountains on his journey to Lhasa.