Day trip from Lhasa
Yamdrok Lake
羊卓雍措
A serpentine ribbon of turquoise water winding through arid Himalayan valleys at 4,441 meters between Lhasa and Gyantse.
Set in Shannan Prefecture southwest of Lhasa, Yamdrok Lake is one of Tibet's sacred lakes and the most accessible high-altitude body of water from the regional capital. The lake branches like coral through bare brown mountains, shifting from deep cobalt to bright turquoise under changing cloud cover as snow-capped Mount Nojin Kangsang rises in the distance.
Most visitors experience Yamdrok on a half-day or full-day trip rather than staying overnight by the water, since lakeside facilities in Nagarze County are basic and sit at a punishing altitude. Base yourself in Lhasa around the Barkhor area to acclimatize first, then visit Yamdrok either as a day trip paired with nearby Karola Glacier and Samding Monastery, or as a highlight on the classic overland route connecting Lhasa, Gyantse, and Shigatse. It suits road-trippers, photographers, and travelers heading toward Everest Base Camp, though anyone sensitive to altitude or expecting developed lakeside trails and resort comforts may find the raw, windswept stops challenging.
Updated 24 October 2026
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Plan your trip, freeHighlights
Kamba La Viewpoint, Lakeshore Drive, Samding Monastery +1
Highlights
Kamba La Viewpoint, Lakeshore Drive, Samding Monastery +1
01Kamba La Viewpoint
Sitting at roughly 4,790 meters on the mountain pass between the Yarlung Tsangpo valley and the lake basin, this overlook reveals the famous first panorama of Yamdrok's branching turquoise arms below.
必看02Lakeshore Drive
After descending from Kamba La Pass, Provincial Road S307 hugs the shoreline for dozens of kilometers, offering quiet pull-offs where you can walk right up to the water's edge away from the pass crowds.
必看03Samding Monastery
Perched on a peninsula hillside overlooking the southwestern reaches of the lake area, this quiet monastery is famously headed by a female reincarnated lama, Dorje Pakmo, and offers sweeping views over surrounding pastures.
04Luri La Viewpoint
Higher and far less visited than Kamba La at nearly 4,960 meters, this viewpoint looks down over the intricate eastern inlets and islands of the lake.
Travel tips
Acclimatize in Lhasa first, Ask before photographing yaks, Pack windproof layers +1
Travel tips
Acclimatize in Lhasa first, Ask before photographing yaks, Pack windproof layers +1
Acclimatize in Lhasa first
Kamba La Pass sits nearly 1,100 meters higher than Lhasa, so spend at least two or three days adjusting in the city before heading up, and move slowly at the viewpoints.
Ask before photographing yaks
Locals station decorated yaks and Tibetan mastiffs at the main overlooks for tourist photos; always agree on terms first and never take pictures of the animals without permission, or handlers will demand payment.
Pack windproof layers
Even on sunny summer afternoons, fierce winds sweep across the pass and shoreline, so a windbreaker, sunglasses, and high-SPF sunscreen are essential.
Arrange permits well ahead
Foreign visitors need a Tibet Travel Permit to enter the region, which must be organized through a registered travel agency weeks before your trip.
How to get to Yamdrok Lake
There is no public bus or train directly to the lake, and foreign travelers in Tibet must travel with a pre-arranged licensed driver and guide. Most visitors depart from Lhasa, the nearest major rail hub, which is about 2.5 hours northeast by car via the Yarlung Tsangpo valley and the switchbacks over Kamba La Pass. Lhasa Gonggar Airport is the closest airport, situated roughly midway along the road route and about 1.5 hours' drive from Kamba La Pass.
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