Basum Lake
Name in Chinese: 巴松措 Bā Sōng Cuò [ba:sɒ:ŋ tsɒ:]
Duration of Tour: Four Hours
Location: Nyingchi Prefecture, Tibet Autonomous Region, China
Highlights: Gorgeous Lake View, Photography and Hiking
Reputations: a National Forest Park, a Five-star Scenic Area
Basum Lake is also known as Pagsum Lake, is located in Southeastern Tibet. It is the largest lake with lowest altitude in Tibet. The lake measures about 27 square kilometers(10.4 sq.mi) and 120 meters(394 feet) in depth. Its altitude is 3,480 meters(11,417 feet) above sea level. The view of the lake is extremely beautiful. Set in a wide green valley, the lake is surrounded by snow-capped mountains and verdant trees. The mountains, trees and white clouds are reflected in the greenish clear water. Basum is a Tibetan word, meaning “greenish water” in English. It is regarded as a holy lake by Tibetans.
There is an islet in the lake which is called “the Isle of Dzashi”. Dzashi is the most widely used given name among boys in Tibet, while Dzoma is the most popular given name used by Tibetan girls.
There is a very old lamasery on the islet, namely Tsodzongongba Monastery. The monastery can be dated back to the end of the Tang Dynasty(618-907). It has a thousand-year history. Tsozongongba Monastery belongs to the Nyingma Sect of Lamaism. The images placed in the monastery for worship are Maitreya Buddha, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva and Master Padmasambhava.
Travel Tips:
How to Get to Basum Lake
Basum Lake lies about about 120 kilometers(75 miles) to the northwest of downtown Nyingchi. There is an airport in Nyingchi Prefecture. The airport operates flights to some major cities in Mainland China, such as Chengdu, Chongqing, Beijing, Kunming and Guangzhou. Tourists can also travel to Nyingchi from Lhasa by car or train. The distance between Nyingchi and Lhasa is about 390 kilometers(242 miles).
How to Avoid Altitude Sickness
The lake is at an elevation of 3,480 meters(11,417 feet). The tourists might suffer from the Acute Mountain Sickness(AMS). Tips for you to prevent the AMS include keeping hydrated, avoiding a cold, acclimatizing to altitude gradually, avoiding rapid ascent and strenuous exercise, restraining from smoking and drinking alcohol. Read more about Acute Mountain Sickness...
Weather
The high altitude and the tropical latitude of Basum Lake mean that the tourists need to bring winter clothes, sunhats and some suncream when they go to visit the lake.
Photography Tips
A tripod, a filter, telephoto lenses and wide angle lenses are needed. There is a hotel near the Isle of Dzashi. It is named Basomtso Resort Hotel. The hotel is perched on a mountain slope. There is a trail behind the hotel winding uphill. Photographers may find some high points on the slope which provide a panoramic view of the lake. It is a good choice to bring a camera drone instead of hiking uphill along the winding trail. The Photographers can also get good shots at the viewing platforms on the shore of the lake.
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Author: Tina Luo
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