Pangong Tso
In Tibetan the lake is called "Tso Mo Ngar Rinpoche," meaning "Long-Necked Swan." It covers 604 square kilometers and is 150 kilometers long, but its average width is only 25 kilometers,…
Pangong Tso, Ngari · Praveenpn · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Key facts
- Admission
- Free
- Opening hours
- 2026.01.01-2026.12.31 open all day
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Getting there
- Located northwest of Shiquanhe Town, along the Xinjiang–Tibet Highway. The road conditions are very poor.
- Guidebook rating
- 4 / 5
From China Self Guided Travel 2025, page 594. Open in Google Maps
About Pangong Tso
In Tibetan the lake is called "Tso Mo Ngar Rinpoche," meaning "Long-Necked Swan." It covers 604 square kilometers and is 150 kilometers long, but its average width is only 25 kilometers, and at its narrowest point it is just 5 meters across. The lake teems with fish and waterbirds, and every summer tens of thousands of Mediterranean black-headed gulls come here to breed. You can rent a boat to explore the lake, or visit Bird Island to see clusters of nests and eggs and watch gulls and bar-headed geese.
Pangong Tso lies partly in Ngari, China, and partly flows into India. It is a long, narrow lake. Interestingly, although it is one lake, the water on the Chinese side is fresh, while the water on the Indian side is salty, bitter and undrinkable, and no fish live there.
Tips from the guidebook
- 1. The eggs on the island are protected. Under no circumstances may they be taken away.
- 2. Boat rental costs ¥80 per person, but you can bargain.
- 3. The lake is rich in a scaleless freshwater fish called liefuyu (裂腹鱼). Because of the high-altitude environment, it grows slowly, but its flavour is exceptionally delicious.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Pangong Tso cost?
Admission to Pangong Tso is Free, as listed in the 2025 guidebook. Prices can change; check the official channel before you go.
What are the opening hours of Pangong Tso?
Pangong Tso is open 2026.01.01-2026.12.31 open all day.
How do I get to Pangong Tso?
Located northwest of Shiquanhe Town, along the Xinjiang–Tibet Highway. The road conditions are very poor.
How long should I spend at Pangong Tso?
Plan on 1–2 hours for Pangong Tso.
Where is Pangong Tso?
Pangong Tso is in Ngari, Tibet Autonomous Region, in the Southwest of China. Rutog County, Ngari Prefecture, Tibet Autonomous Region
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