Lhamo Latso

Lhamo Latso is the most mysterious lake in Tibet and its name means auspiciousness. It is called “Oracle Lake” by local people and enjoys a high status among Tibetans, just like Madonna in the West. It is located in Shannan, Tibet, 65 km (40 mi) in the northeast of Jiacha County.

Lhamo Latso

 Lhamo Latso provides monks the highest oracle to look for the reincarnated spirit child. When searching for children reincarnated by eminent monks or living Buddhas, monks would always come to Lhamo Lastro. By observing the scenery of the lake, they would confirm which direction to go next.
 In Bon – a religion in Tibet, the guardian of Lhamo Latso is one of the 12 female guardians. In the past, the guardian would be prayed before wars happened, as people believed that she can help defeat enemies.
 Lhamo Latso is not big and it covers about 2 sq. km (0.8 sq. mi). Surrounded by mountains, its oval surface looks like a mirror on clear days. On the summit of nearby mountains, the panoramic lake can be seen. In summer, unfrozen lake is very changeable: sometimes it lays there quietly, whose clear surface reflects clouds on the sky; but sometimes, waves rise even without wind, dark clouds cling tightly to the lake, strange sound can be heard.

Mountains

Prayer Flags

Legend has it that devout people can see their previous existence and coming up life on the lake’s surface. Different people can watch different scenes. Most travelers would visit the lake by car, but they can only reach the foot of Lhamo Mountain at most. It means visitors need to hike for an altitude elevation of about 300 meters (980 feet) and then get to the 5,300-meter-high (17,390 feet) observation deck. It may be challenge for your health and would take you half an hour to do it.Apart from making wishes on the summit, you can also have a pilgrimage around the lake, like local people do. Considering the poor road conditions and extreme weather there, it is better to follow local people or hire a professional guide and bring complete equipment for the sake of your safety. Prepare at least half a day for the pilgrimage. This pilgrimage to Lhamo Latso is richly varied and has much to offer: high snow-capped mountains, a magnificent monastery, seldom visited cave hermitages, nomads and their black-tent culture.
 Early June – October is the best time to visit Lhamo Latso, as many Tibetans would come here for pilgrimage then and the scenery is good. Also, please avoid going in November – December & January – April, for heavy snow may cause a road closure. 
 CNY50 per person
 All year round
 There is no public transport to reach Lhamo Latso and this means you need to charter a car in nearest county – Jiacha County. 

Take a coach in Lhasa to go to Zhanang County first, which costs about CNY50; in Zhanang, buy a coach ticket priced at CNY15 and then arrive at Tsedang County; later, still take a coach there to arrive at Jiacha County in 5 hours; last, you can charter a car here and then the lake can be reached in an hour.
 Qu kodje Temple is about 16 km (10 mi) to the south of Lhamo Latso. It is a Gelug Buddhist temple built in 1509 by Dalai Lama – the name of Living Buddha in Gelug. In the temple, you can see a black Palden Lhamo sculpture with opened-widely mouse and anger on the face.