2023 Tibet Self-Drive Tour—Day 21 Namtso

📆2023-09-17 Sunday 21st day of the Tibet self-drive tour 🚙Itinerary: Lhasa—Namtso—Damxung The weather forecast shows that the weather at Namtso might deteriorate this afternoon, so we skipped the hotel breakfast and set off at 7:30 to hit the road. 9:40, passing by the viewing platform service area—Nyainqêntanglha Mountains. 📖Knowledge points: Nyainqêntanglha Mountains and Tanggula Mountains, two different things‼️ ①Different meanings of the names 🔸Tanggula Mountains: In Tibetan, it means 'mountains on the plateau'. 🔸Nyainqêntanglha Mountains: In Tibetan, it means 'the efficacious god of the grasslands'. In Tibetan mythology, Nyainqêntanglha Mountains and Namtso Lake are a pair of lovers in a life-and-death romance, and are very efficacious sacred mountains and lakes. ②Different geographical locations 🔸Tanggula Mountains: Located in the northeastern part of Tibet, bordering Qinghai Province. 🔸Nyainqêntanglha Mountain Range: It is the dividing line of the three major regions of Tibet, dividing Tibet into Northern, Southern, and Southeastern Tibet. ③Different altitudes 🔸Tanggula Mountains: Most peaks are around 5000-6000 meters. 🔸Nyainqêntanglha Mountains: Higher, with most peaks generally above 6000 meters. ④Different levels of fame 🔸Tanggula Mountains: More famous. One of the world's eight famous mountains and one of China's ten famous mountains. Its geographical location is more important, being the source of the famous Three Rivers (Yangtze River, Nu River, and Lancang River). 🔸Nyainqêntanglha Mountains: More inclined towards religious significance, recognized as a sacred mountain in Tibetan Buddhism. 📍Namtso The second largest lake in Tibet, and the third largest saltwater lake in China. In Tibetan, it means 'heavenly lake', and is one of the 'three sacred lakes' of Tibet. Deep blue waters, azure sky. White clouds floating, seagulls resting, yaks strolling. The vast expanse of the lake and the long blue sky reflect each other, as if heaven and earth are embraced within the lake. 💰Ticket: 110 🚌Sightseeing bus: 100 🐮Yak: 20 The scenery is really beautiful, but the commercial atmosphere in the scenic area is too strong. You are stopped 50 kilometers away from the scenic area and must buy a ticket, and it is completely impossible to view Namtso from afar. There are many disputes at the entrance, and even people just passing by are not allowed in. The price of the sightseeing bus ticket is also a subject of complaint. The management aspect indeed makes people feel bad. Fortunately, the magnificent lake waters make the trip worthwhile. 📍Damxung Staying overnight in Damxung, at an altitude of 4200, to acclimatize to the altitude.