Yamdrok Lake , also known as Yamdrok Yumtso or Yamzho Yumco is is a high-mountain lake in Nagarzê County in Shannan Governorate of Tibet Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of China.
Yamdrok Lake is located at an altitude of 4488 meters between Gyantse and Lhasa. Its area is about 621 square kilometers, and its length is more than 73 kilometers.
Tibetans consider the lake a talisman. After all, according to legend, in Tibet, everything will be safe as long as Lake Yamjo-Yumtso is full of water. And as soon as the lake dries up, Tibet will become uninhabited.
Today, both pilgrims and tourists can be seen walking along the shores of the lake. On one of the islands in the lake there is an ancient fortress or castle called Pede Dzong.
Access : Coordinates: 28.933333, 90.683333 / The lake is accessible to traffic via a well-developed branch off the Friendship Highway.
Highlights :
- The Tibetans consider the lakes sacred, like the mountains, since they are abodes of the protective gods and therefore they are invested with special spiritual powers. Yamdrok Lake is one of the four sacred lakes that, in particular, are believed to have divinatory powers everyone from the Dalai Lama to the local people make pilgrimages to its shores.
- According to Tibetan mythology, the lake Yamdrok results from the transformation of a goddess.
- The lake is surrounded by many snowy peaks. It is fed by a large number of rivers and has an outlet via a river at the extreme western end.The lake is home to Tibet’s largest power plant.
- This area is the largest staging area for migratory birds in southern Tibet. / the Yamdrok Lake is known as the “Tibetan Fish Bank”.
- According to Tibetan Buddhism, the Yamdrok Lake is the incarnation of the dragon girl and the residence of the female guardian god, so it is a holy lake. On the southwest bank of the lake, 10 kilometers north of Langkazi County, is the Sangding Monastery of the Xiangpa Kagyu Sect of Tibetan Buddhism. This temple is the only temple in Tibet presided over by a female living Buddha.
- There are more than 5 islands in the Yamdrok Lake, the largest is about 18 square kilometers and the smallest is 3000 square meters. The islands are named “Seduo” (Rhinoceros Island), “Yong Buduo” (Lumuzi Island), “Gemoriduo” (Old Fox Island), and “Nayaduo” (Argan Island) according to their respective shapes. and many more.
Go next : the Sangding Monastery of the Xiangpa Kagyu Sect of Tibetan Buddhism. This temple is the only temple in Tibet presided over by a female living Buddha.
