Lake Yamdrok Tso

One of the three sacred and most revered lakes in Tibet. It is located in the mountains at an altitude of 4488 meters above sea level.

It is one of the largest lakes in Tibet. Its name in translation means "turquoise earrings of the goddess". It is often compared to a sparkling sapphire enclosed in a stone frame of mountains. It is believed that the lake has mystical properties, and its water is the most beautiful and amazing in the world. Every minute it changes color, so it is said that the lake cannot be seen twice.

The lake is also considered the talisman of Tibet, its amulet. The monks believe that this is what protects Tibetan welfare. According to legend, when the waters of the lake dry up, Tibet will become uninhabited.

The length of the lake is 73 kilometers, the area is 621 square kilometers, the length of the coastline is 250 kilometers. The depth of the lake in some areas reaches 60 meters. On the lake there are 10 islands that are inhabited by flocks of wild birds.

On one of the islands is the famous Samdin Monastery - the only one in Tibet, the abbot of which is a woman.

Thousands of devoted followers of Buddhism come to the lake every year from all over the world. Pilgrims make around the sacred lake kora (ritual bypass). It is believed that if a Buddhist performs this ritual, the gods will bless him for a year.