The first national park in Lhasa – Namtso National Park was officially inaugurated recently

The first national park in Lhasa – Namtso National Park was officially inaugurated recently. The center of the national park - Namtso Lake, with an altitude of 4718 meters, is the highest salt water lake above the sea level. It is highly respected as a holy lake by the followers of Tibetan Buddhism. It attracts a large number of tourists and pilgrims all around the world every year.

The relevant protection and development department is planning to create Namtso Lake a world famous plateau ecological tourism destination and 5-A class national park. To meet the demands of tourists, Namtso Lake will be developed into a scenic spot integrates the ecological protection, science & education, and sightseeing.

The number of tourists came to Namtso Lake keeps rising with a rate of 20 percent each year since it was opened to tourists. Currently, Namtso Lake has been listed as a 4-A class scenic spot. The administration bureau of Namtsi Lake is planning to develop it into a 5-A standard scenic spot. Great importance will be attached to the improvement of the road condition and some other basic tourism facilities, such as the rest pavilions.

According to the plan, the construction of Namtso National Park will be divided into 3 phases. The completed Namtso National Park will be composed of seven areas, including the Entrance Area, Integrated Service Area, Tibetan Culture Exhibition Area, Grassland Nomadism Experience Area, Plateau Lake Experience Area, Ecology Experience Area and Vacation Experience Area.

The basic service facilities at Namtso Lake Scenic Spot will be enhanced. The road condition and transportation facilities, the cultural performance and the recreation facilities, as well as the tourists reception center and a series of supporting facilities will be further completed. Tourists making a visit to Namtso Lake will enjoy a more pleasant holy lake trip.

It is reported that a series of modern tourism facilities will be constructed in the future Namtso National Park, including the parking lot, sightseeing deck and Tibetan style hotels. Then, tourists visiting Namtso Lake will have a totally different experience in sight, listening, taste, smell and touch experience.