a brief introduction of lakes in tibet

There are thousands of lakes across the Tibetan Plateau. Most geologists believe that the plateau was covered by the ocean in the past. When the ocean retreated, it left innumerable lakes behind. Many of the lakes are salt water lakes. Most of the lakes, especially on the northern Tibetan Plateau, are frozen for many months of the year. Qinghai Lake (known also as Tso Ngonpo in Tibetan and as Kokonor in Mongolian) is the largest lake in China and you may see it on the tibet train as it is near the tibet railway. There are numerous lakes that are considered to be holy to Tibetan people in tibet such as Yamdrok Lake, Yilhun Lha Lake and Lake Manasarovar (Mapham Yum Tso). During your Tibet tours, if you travel to these lakes you may see pilgrims walking around them prostrating every 6 steps. Nam Tso is one of the most popular lakes that attract lots of travelers every year. It is located 3.5 hours north of Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. Yamdrok Lake lies at 4450m / 14,600 feet above sea level. The lake is in southern Tibet between the cities of Lhasa and Gyantse. Yamdrok is a large lake that is shaped somewhat like a scorpion. Most people visit Yamdrok during their Everest Base Camp Tour or on their journey from Lhasa to Kathmandu, but it is possible to stay the night in the town of Nangartse, the closest town to the lake.