Yamdrok Lake 羊卓雍措

About Yamdrok Lake

The water occupies a high basin in Nangartse/Langkazi and carries a strong sacred association in Tibetan tradition. For a first visit, the established Kambala approach offers a clear sequence: a broad view from above, then closer views towards the water. This reveals the lake’s bays and peninsulas more effectively than trying to treat its long, irregular shore as one continuous short stop.

The lake is grouped with Namtso (纳木错) and Manasarovar (玛旁雍错) as one of Tibet's three sacred lakes. It lies in a fault-basin depression later dammed by glacial action, south of the Yarlung Tsangpo (雅鲁藏布江) in Langkazi County (浪卡子县), at an elevation of 4,441 metres. It originally drained through the Mochu River (墨曲) into the Yarlung Tsangpo with a 900-metre drop. As the mountains rose and the climate grew drier, its water level fell and the channel became blocked, gradually creating an inland lake.

The lake has a branching, fan-like shape, narrow in the north and wide in the south, extending 74 kilometres with an average width of 8.6 kilometres. It covers 638 square kilometres and has an average depth of 23.6 metres. Its catchment covers 6,100 square kilometres. Five islands lie within the lake and provide habitat for waterbirds. The Yamdrok Hydropower Station (羊湖电站), on the western shore, was completed in 1996, supplying Lhasa, Shannan (山南) and Xigaze (日喀则). The plan changed to pumped storage in 1989 to preserve the lake's water level, and main construction began on 25 May 1991.

What to look for

• The branching lake panorama from the first viewpoint on the Kambala approach.
• The closer shoreline and mountain reflections from the lower designated viewpoints.

Location & getting there

Getting to Yamdrok Lake

The operator’s published approach from Lhasa follows the Yaye Expressway and G349 to the Yamdrok visitor centre, then the Kambala mountain section.

• Use the visitor centre to confirm the open viewing route and road conditions before proceeding.