Scenic Area of Basom Tso Lake, Nyingchi

Scenic Area of Basom Tso Lake, Nyingchi
(lín zhī bā sōng cuò jǐng qū 林芝巴松措景区)

Location: Cuogao township, Kongpo’gyada county, Nyingchi city, Xizang autonomous region
Scenic Spot Level: AAAAA
Opening hours:
8:30am-8:30pm (May 1-Oct 31)
9am-6:30pm (Nov 1-April 30)
Ticket Price: 180 yuan ($27.87)/person (tickets for sightseeing cars and boats included)
Notes:
1. Children under 1.3 meters (exclusively) in height, senior citizens aged 70 (including 70) and above, people who have a disability (levels 1-4), tour guides, teachers (on Teachers’ Day), and servicemen (on Army Day) can enter free of charge.
2. Half-price tickets are available for senior citizens aged between 60 (including 60) and 70 (excluding 70), primary and secondary school students, full-time university undergraduates, firefighters, people who have a disability (levels 5-10), and servicemen.

In the Xizangan language, “Basom Tso” means “green water”. With a length of 18 kilometers and an altitude of 3,480 meters, the Basom Tso Lake is the lowest lake in Xizang. It is also a renowned mysterious lake and holy land of the Nyingma-Red Sect.

As there are many trees in the scenic area, the oxygen level of Basom Tso Lake is higher than that of other lakes in Xizang, which means that technically tourists should not experience altitude sickness.

Boasting snow-capped mountains, lakes, forests, waterfalls, pastures, places of interest, and rare wildlife, the Scenic Area of Basom Tso Lake is hailed as the “lesser Switzerland”.

When spring comes, the lake, with its the reflections of snow-covered mountains, is surrounded by blooming flowers, forming a stunning landscape. In autumn, framed against the blue sky, flaming red maple leaves reflect the brilliant sunlight across the lake, a breathtaking scene.

About 100 meters from the banks of Basom Tso Lake, there’s the small island of Zhaxi. Legend has it that it’s a “hollow island” because it floats on the water. Built in the late Tang Dynasty (618-907), Cuozong Gongba Temple on Zhaxi Island is a famous temple of the Nyingma-Red Sect, a place for worship for Padmasambhava, the Thousand-armed Avalokitesvara (guanyin), the Golden Boy and the Jade Maiden.