Basum Tso

Basum Tso (appropriately translating to “Green Water” in Tibetan) is a mesmerizing, crescent-shaped alpine lake tucked deep within a steep gorge in Gongbo’gyamda County, Nyingchi. For travelers arriving from the barren, oxygen-starved high plateau of central and western Tibet, Basum Tso feels like entering a completely different world. It perfectly embodies Nyingchi’s reputation as the “Switzerland of Tibet.” The massive, 18-kilometer-long lake is tightly embraced by incredibly dense, primeval pine and fir forests that descend right to the water’s edge, with a spectacular backdrop of jagged, glacier-clad peaks soaring over 5,000 meters into the sky.

The lake’s most spellbinding feature is the otherworldly color of its water. Depending on the weather and the angle of the sun, Basum Tso transitions between a translucent emerald green and a deep, milky jade. When the skies are clear, the impossibly vibrant reflection of the surrounding dense, dark green coniferous forests and the blindingly white snow-capped mountains on the absolutely still surface of the lake creates a visual masterpiece of explosive color and multi-layered depth.

The undisputed centerpiece and most iconic photographic focal point of the entire scenic area is Tashi Island (Zhaxi Island). Seemingly floating magically in the center of the jade waters, this tiny, densely wooded islet is connected to the mainland by two long, picturesque floating pontoon bridges. Shrouded in morning mist, the island looks like an ethereal, untouched fairy-tale sanctuary isolated from the mortal realm.

Basum Tso is located within Bahe Town of Gongbo’gyamda County in the Nyingchi Prefecture. Geographically, it sits roughly midway between Lhasa and the Nyingchi city center (Bayi Town), requiring a scenic 40-kilometer detour deep into a branch valley off the famous National Highway 318 (the Sichuan-Tibet Highway).

With the completion of the magnificent Linla High-Speed Highway (the expressway connecting Lhasa and Nyingchi), traveling to Basum Tso has become unprecedentedly fast and comfortable. Departing from the capital city of Lhasa, a smooth, continuous highway drive of approximately 3.5 to 4 hours will deliver you directly to the grand entrance of the scenic area. If departing from Nyingchi city (Bayi Town), the drive takes merely 1.5 to 2 hours.

As with all major national protected areas in China, strict environmental traffic controls are enforced. All private SUVs, rental cars, and commercial tour buses must be mandatorily parked in the massive lots at the visitor center outside the gate. After purchasing tickets, all visitors must transfer to the official, unified green eco-buses. These shuttle buses navigate the 10-kilometer inner scenic road hugging the lake, accurately dropping passengers off at the main observation decks and the entrance to the floating bridges leading to Tashi Island.