China / Tibet

Nine holy lakes in Tibet

(China Tibet Online) Updated: 2015-07-07 10:26

Namtso Lake

Nine holy lakes in Tibet

"Namtso" means "Heavenly Lake" in Tibetan; in the Mongolian and Manchu languages it is referred to as "Tengri Nor" which has the similar meaning.

Loated about 240 kilometers north of Lhasa between Baingoin and Damxung Counties and at an elevation of 4,718 meters, Namsto Lake sits 70 kilometer long, 30 kilometer wide and has an area of 1,940 square kilometers.

It is the largest saltwater lake in Tibet, the second-largest saltwater lake in China, and the highest lake in the world.

According to legend, Namtso was Indra's daughter and Nyanchen Thanglha's wife. She had one face, three eyes and two hands. In her right hand she held a precious vase and in her left a jeweled mirror. A tight bun sat high upon her head, when let loose her hair streamed down her shoulders and back. She was an enchanting beauty and would ride an azure dragon.

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