Lake Manasarovar – Tibet Attraction

Every traveler in Tibet making it to Mt. Kailash for the world-famous 3 days trekking knows that it is a long and back-numbing 5 days’ drive, and then come Lake Manasarovar about past half the journey, the perfect getaway from the suffocating long days in your vehicle. Just seeing the lake from the first corner is enough to make you feel relaxed and excited at the same time.

A spectacular angle on Mt. Kailash’s southern face from Lake Manasarovar.

At a soaring 4,590 m above sea level, Lake Manasarovar is the world’s highest freshwater lake. The lake, Mapham-Yutso in Tibetan and Manasarovar in Sankrit, is located at the southern foot, covering 320 km sq. with 90 m depth. Lake Manasarovar has an exceptional beauty that varies from crystal clear blue water near the shores and a deep emerald green color at the center. It is connected with Lake Rakshas-Tal to the east. A neighboring lake believed to be an evil sort by both Hindus and Buddhists, by Gang-Chu channel.

Sunset on Lake Manasarovar gets only better than this.

Lake Manasarovar is a pilgrimage to Hindus, Buddhists, and Bons in their own respected beliefs. Hindus believe the lake to be the mental creation of Lord Brahma, especially for the pilgrims to Kailash to perform their ablutions. Buddhists believe that Queen Maya, Gautam Buddha’s mother, was carried there by the angels and washed before conceiving the Buddha in her womb. The Lake is believed to have pure, healing water and represents sun, light, and victory (the Tibetan name for the lake translates “Unconquerable”). Buddhist pilgrims circumambulate the lake as part of the Kailash Pilgrimage. There are 8 monasteries around the shores of the lake. Bon practitioners believe Tonpa Shenrab, the founder of Bon religion, to have bathed in the lake when he first visited Tibet.

Chiu Monastery is the oldest monastery around Manasarovar.

If your itinerary allows camping on the lakeshore or a stay in one of the guesthouses, take a walk around the shore, there is no harm to that, and it’s peaceful like nothing else.

Explore Tibet organizes the best Tibet group tours and privates tours to Kailash. You can also customize your own Tibet tour itinerary. We have the best local Tibetan tour guides and the most experienced drivers. 15 Days Kailash Trekking, 20 Days Photographic Tour, 17 Days Kailash Pilgrimage, etc.