Basumtso Lake

A Brief Introduction to Basumtso Lake

Basumtso Lake lies in the Gongbo'gyamda County of Tibet. It is one of the biggest freshwater barrier lakes in the eastern area of Tibet. You can go there by walking eastward along the Niyang River and climbing over the pass col of Mountain Mira. On the way locates the beautiful sceneries and particular ancient villages of Zang Nationality. Basumtso Lake is on the average elevation of 4,000 meters with the length of about 18 kilometers. Covering an area of 28 square meters, the deepest point of the Basumtso Lake is 120 meters. In 1997, Basumtso Lake was listed as a world tourist site by the World Tourism Organization.

Legends of Basumtso Lake

Basumtso Lake is a notable holy lake of Nyingmapa order of Tibetan Buddhism. Nyingmapa, the "school of the old persons", the so-called "red hats", the oldest Tibetan Buddistischen schools, find its beginnings of the Tibetan Buddhism in 7th and 8th centuries on the shores of Basumtso Lake. According to the legend, Padmasambhava (Padmasambhava is said to bring the Esoteric Buddhism to Tibet in the 8th century) once fought against and finally defeated evil spirits in the Basumtso Lake. Thus it becomes the holy lake of the Nyingmapa or the Red Hat sect of Tibetan Buddhism.

Another legend of the Basumtso Lake is for the north bank of the lake. There is a gigantic stone on the north bank of the Basumtso Lake which has a hole allowing only one person to pass. Legend has it that passing through the hole is able to help you cure any diseases and misfortunes.

As for the south bank of the Basumtso Lake, there is also a legend. A small stream flows on the south bank of the lake, near which lies a mysterious hole named "Qiuzi Cave" (Qiuzi means to pray for having a baby). It is said that the cave once got the blessings from the Padmasambhava and it can help people have a baby.

Attractions of Basumtso Lake

The Basumtso Lake is surrounded by mountains with wild climate. Embraced by snow-capped peaks, white glaciers and lush pristine forests growing with black maples, birches, pines, cypresses and azaleas, the Basumtso Lake becomes a fairyland on earth.

Basumtso Lake is also called Tsokou Lake. In Tibetan, the word "Tsokou" means green water. The pristine water of the green lake reflects the picturesque snow-capped peaks surrounding the lake. The entire area around Basumtso Lake is so beautiful that thoughts of the inspiring Swiss Alps come to mind as one stands on the shoreline of this majestic lake. Fish are shoaling in the water, birds are circling in the air and beasts are roaming in the nearby forest. Animals are living a comfortable and easy life in Basumtso Lake.

The shape of the lake is similar to a crescent set in the high gorges and deep valleys. In summer, the dark green water reflects the green hills, the blue sky as well as the white clouds, thus forming a landscape like a paradise.

There is a small islet about 100 meters off the lakeside named Zhaxi Islet. It is said to be a hollow islet. That is to say, the islet is floating on the water rather than connected with the bottom of the lake.

A monastery lies on the Zhaxi Islet. It is called Cuozongbagong Monastery. The monastery was built in the late Tang Dynasty which is already 1,500 years old. It is a famous monastery of the Nyingmapa or Red Hat sect of Tibetan Buddhism. As a result, many Buddhism disciples come to the Bamsumtso Lake and hold the circumambulation ritual around the lake and pray in the monastery.