The waters of sacred Nam-tso, the second-largest salt lake in China, are an almost transcendent turquoise blue and shimmer in the rarefied air of 4730m. Geographically part of the Changtang Plateau, the lake has an incredible location, bordered to the north by the Taángǔlā Shān range and to the southeast by 7111m Nyenchen Tanglha peak. Most people come here for the scenery and for the short but pilgrim-packed kora.
The scenery is breathtaking but so is the altitude: 1100m higher than Lhasa. Count on a week in Lhasa acclimitising before rushing out here otherwise you risk symptoms of acute mountain sickness (AMS).
Most travellers head for Tashi Dor Monastery in the southeastern corner of the lake. Half a dozen charmless metal guesthouses offer food and accommodation around the monastery between April and October, though the site is starting to seriously suffer from over-visitation. Bedding is provided but nights here can be very cold.
Nam-tso is 195km north of Lhasa, a four-hour paved drive over the high (5190m) Largen-la. Even if independent travel returns, there is no public transport to the lake.
