Lake Manasarovar

Lake Manasarovar is located in Purang County, Ngari Prefecture. It is the largest fresh water lake which enjoys the highest clarity in China. It is regarded as the sacred place and center of the world by both Bon and Buddhism followers.

Lake Manasarovar - Brief Introduction

Manasarovar means triumph in Tibetan. Lake Manasarovar was praised as Sacred Lake by Tibetan. It lies between Kailash Peak (the main peak of Gangdise Mountains) and Namnani Peak (a peak of the Himalayas). It was originally connected with Lake Rakshastal (Rakshastal means a poisonous black lake. It is a salt water lake) and turned to be an inland lake because of the accretion of proluvial and ice.

Lake Manasarovar shapes like a pear; the northern part is wider than the southern part. It is 4588 meter above the sea level and covers an area of 412 square kilometers. The average depth of the lake is 46 meters and it is 81.8 meters at its deepest. Lake Manasarovar is noted for its clean water and its water clarity reaches 14 meters.

The mineral concentration of the water in Lake Manasarovar reaches 400 milligram per liter. Ice-snow melt water and rain water are the main supplies of Lake Manasarovar. There are many hot springs around the lake. In summer and autumn, the Buddhism followers would on their pilgrim to Lake Manasarovar and pray for health and happiness.

Lake Manasarovar - Religion and Legend

Lake Manasarovar was named after a religious war took place at the lakeshore in 11th century. Lake Manasarovar means undefeatable lake in Tibetan. Tibetan Buddhism defeated Bon Religion and named the lake Manasarovar which means undefeatable green lake. Then a lot of Buddhism monasteries were constructed around the lake and there existing 8 monasteries today.

Lake Manasarovar is the source of four rivers: the Maquan River in the east, Kongqi River in the south, Langqen Zangbo River in the west and Singge Zangbo River in the north.

The Buddhism, Hindusim and Bon regard Kailash Peak as the sacred peak and Lake Manasarovar as the sacred lake. According to Tibetan historical record, Lake Manasarovar is the inhabitance of queen of the heaven in the legend of Han nationality.

The tourism departments of Ngari have constructed three campsites around Lake Manasarovar to receive pilgrims and tourists.

Lake Manasarovar - Circumambulation

Lake Manasarovar has a perimeter of about 90 kilometers. It would take four days to circle the lake clockwise. Two thirds of the circumambulation (from Seralung Monastery to Chiu Gonpa) adjoins to the lakeshore line.

Circle around Lake Manasarovar, tourists could not only enjoy the beautiful landscapes of lake and mountains, but also communicate with the pilgrims on the way. A lot of tourists would like to enjoy the hot spring in Chiu Gonpa.