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| Lake Namtso |
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Namtso Lake is 4718 metres above the sea level,70 kilometres in lenghth,30
kilometres in wideth and 1940 square kilometers in size. It is located
60 kilometres northwest of Dangxiong County. It is both the highest
and biggest salt water lake in the world.
Meaning Heavenly Lake in Tibetan, Namtso is respected as one of
the four holiest lakes and the seat of Paramasukha Chakrasamvara
by Buddhist pilgrims. Buddhists believe Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and
Vajras will assemble to hold religious meeting at Namtso in the
year of sheep on Tibetan calendar. Circumambulation around the lake
at the right moment equals 100 thousand times of that in normal
years. Hence thousands of pilgrims from every corner In the 5th
& 6th month of the Tibetan calendar each year, many Buddhists
come to the lakeside on pilgrimage to pay homage and pray. Deep
tracks are worn into the lakeshore due to this activity. In history,
monasteries stood like trees in a forest around Lake Namtso attracting
large numbers of pilgrims with eminent monks in Buddhist temples
developing body and character and extending Buddhism. On the four
sides of the lake stand four monasteries, which have Buddhist meanings.
Five islets, planting themselves in the vast sapphire blue lake,
is said to be the incarnation of the Buddha of Five Directions.
Every pilgrims circumambulating the lake will piously worship them.
Those islets are famous for their topography, covered by weird but
vivid stones. Producing abundant fish and lodging many birds and
beasts, the lake is also a heaven for animals and plants. The natural
pastureland around the lake offers ideal condition for animal husbandry.
Wild animals, such as yaks and bharals, can often be found in this
area.
Lake Namtso is also rich in its products with its gorgeous and
enchanting sights. The lake is full of islands and islets in varied
forms with birds sporting over the water surface. There is a peninsula
in calcareous stone southeast of the lake, called "Zhaxiduo
Island", on which stands a forest of strange-shaped stones,
among which occur numerous fantastic caves. lake Namtso also has
abundant resources of fish. The annual volume of fishing goes up
to 350,000 or more kilogrames. The views around Lake Namts every
evening at dusk are even more varied, beautiful and fantastic. |
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