Yamdrok Lake (Yamzhog Yumco): Tibet's Turquoise Day Trip from Lhasa
Last updated: Jul 19, 2026
Yamdrok Lake — officially written Yamzhog Yumco, and also spelled Yamdrok Tso — lies in Nagarzê County in Shannan (Lhokha), Tibet Autonomous Region, about 100 km southwest of Lhasa. Its crystal-clear, jade-blue water, framed by rolling peaks and golden grassland, makes it the classic day trip from Lhasa and one of the most photographed landscapes in Tibet.
Foreign passport holders cannot travel independently in the Tibet Autonomous Region. You must book a tour through a licensed travel agency, which will arrange your Tibet Travel Permit, and you must be accompanied by a guide throughout your stay. There is no way around this — start planning several weeks before your trip.
Why the Lake Is Sacred
The name means "the jade-colored lake on the upper pasture," and Yamdrok is counted among Tibet's three great sacred lakes. In Tibetan legend it was formed when a heavenly goddess descended to earth; to this day pilgrims and local residents walk along its shores to pray for blessings. Beyond the scenery, the lake is a habitat for highland birds, which you can often spot along the waterline.
Getting There from Lhasa
- Distance: About 100 km; the drive takes roughly 2–3 hours each way, depending on road conditions and photo stops.
- The viewpoint: The road crosses the Kamba La (Gangbala) Pass, the classic vantage point where the whole turquoise curve of the lake opens up below you.
- Transport: There is no practical public transport for foreign visitors — and independent travel is not allowed anyway. Your agency provides the vehicle, driver, and guide. Many itineraries combine the lake with Gyantse and Shigatse on a multi-day loop; a day trip from Lhasa works if your schedule is tight.
How to Visit as a Foreigner
1. Get a Chinese visa
Apply for a tourist (L) visa in your country of residence first — you need it before any Tibet permit can be issued.
2. Book a tour with a licensed agency
Choose an agency authorized to receive foreign tourists in Tibet. Send scans of your passport and Chinese visa; the agency applies for the Tibet Travel Permit on your behalf. Allow several weeks for processing.
3. Collect your permit before entering Tibet
The agency sends you the original permit or hands it over before you board your flight or train to Lhasa — you cannot check in without it.
4. Travel with your guide
The trip to Yamdrok runs as part of your guided itinerary: vehicle, driver, and guide are included. Entrance and sightseeing fees vary — confirm them locally with your agency.
Larger platforms such as 
Altitude Is the Real Challenge
The lake surface sits at about 4,441 m, and the pass viewpoint is higher still — well above Lhasa's roughly 3,650 m. Spend at least your first one to two days in Lhasa acclimatizing before driving up. Drink plenty of water, skip alcohol on the first days, walk slowly at the viewpoints, and tell your guide immediately if you feel dizzy or nauseous — descending is the only real cure.
The lake can be visited year-round, but the mildest window runs roughly May to October. Winter visits are possible but cold, and high passes can be icy.
Practical Tips
- Fees: Entrance and viewing-platform prices change from season to season — confirm the current rate with your agency.
- What to bring: Sunscreen, sunglasses, a warm layer and a windbreaker (the pass is windy even in summer), water, and snacks — facilities at the lake are basic.
- Photos: Locals at the viewpoints often offer photos with yaks or Tibetan mastiffs for a small fee — agree on the price before you shoot.
- Connectivity: Mobile signal exists but is patchy; download offline maps and an offline translator like
View Guide → before leaving Lhasa.PlecoTranslation · Beginner - Respect the site: This is a sacred lake — don't swim, don't throw anything into the water, and ask before photographing pilgrims.