Basum Tso

Basum Tso, also known as Cuogao Lake, means 'green water' in Tibetan. It is about 18 kilometers long, covers an area of approximately 27 square kilometers, and reaches a depth of 120 meters. The lake is situated at an altitude of 3480 meters. Located in the deep valley of the upper Ba River, about 36 kilometers from Baher Town in Gongbo'gyamda County, it is a famous sacred lake and holy site of the Red Sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The scenic area encompasses snow-capped mountains, lakes, forests, waterfalls, pastures, cultural relics, and ancient temples, offering a unique and varying landscape throughout the seasons. It is a haven for numerous rare and wild plant species, truly a paradise on earth, and is known as the 'Little Switzerland' of Tibet. About one hundred meters from the shore lies a small island called Tashi Island, which is home to the Tang Dynasty structure 'Tsokar Gongba Monastery,' a renowned Nyingma sect temple of Tibetan Buddhism, built in the late Tang Dynasty, with a history of over 1500 years.