The Namu, or Namtso, Lake is the highest saltwater lake in the world, nestling 15000 feet above sea level in the Nyainqueltanghla Peak. Tibetan legend confers the title of "Namu's Son" on this Peak, capped by white snows and low clouds swirling around the summit. Little mountain streams empty into the clear blue Namu, held sacred by the Tibetans.
According to Tibetans Buddhist beliefs, Lord Buddha and his closest disciples assemble at the Namu once every 12 years. The devout Tibetans flock to the Namu in order to pray and pay their respects to the "Enlightened One". The shores of the Namu Lake house 4 major Tibetan monasteries. The islands in the lake are also considered holy, as they hold significance by virtue of the direction they face. The islands are also beautiful by reason of their physiology, as they are covered with stones of many hues. As the sunrays fall on the islands at different angles, the stones gleam, throwing off many colors. If you travel through the craggy shores of the Namu, you will come across many rugged pastures where only the hardy Tibetan yaks can find any sustenance. The herdsman, struggling with life in the difficult terrain, still has a smile for the visitor. The entire scene, devoid of much vegetation save lichens and low shrubs, is nevertheless beautiful in its ruggedness.
