Lhamonyin Shan, the road to the holiest lake in Tibet
Lhamonyin Ri is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 5.226m (17,145ft) above the sea level, located in Gyaca County in Shannan Prefecture (Lhoka) of Tibet, in China. Due to the high altitude and extreme weather you should prepare well before.
Nestled in the mountains of Gyacha County, the winding and curvy road to the summit was paved in 2010. The road features 20 hairpin turns. It’s only open for pilgrims and Chinese travelers. Due its elevation prepare well for the possible High Altitude Sickness. In winters the access is blocked by the heavy snows. The weather changes highly. Be prepared for the cold, wind and rain.
The road to the summit is very steep. Starting from Cuijiuxiang, the road is 12.6km (7,82 miles) long. Over this distance the elevation gain is 641 meters. The average gradient is 13.98%. The pass is the main gate to a stunning azure diamond lake known as Lhamo La-tso. It’s said to be the most important and sacred lake for Tibetan Buddhism. Lhamo Latso means 'auspicious heavenly mother lake' or 'numinous mother lake' in Tibetan. The lake surface keeps on freezing for about 7 months, and the best time to visit this lake is from June to August.
Road suggested by: jorge manuel gómez sánchez
Pic: 全珍珠