Reopening in 2025: Why We Highly Recommend the Namtso Tour with Holy Elephant Gate

From sacred Buddhist sites to vibrant festivals, the Namtso - featuring the iconic Holy Elephant Gate with the turquoise lake and snow-capped Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains - offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, cultural richness, and spiritual depth.

To help you better understand the unique charm of Namtso Lake and the Holy Elephant Gate, this review highlights the top reasons to visit, including stunning natural scenery, sacred pilgrimage sites, ideal weather conditions, and rich festival traditions.

With a collection of vivid photos from our guests who traveled to Namtso this June, we hope this review will inspire your own journey to Tibet. Read on to explore the details.

Stunning Natural Views from the Holy Elephant Gate Make the Namtso Tour a Must-Visit

The Holy Elephant Gate, located on the northern shore of Namtso Lake, offers one of the most breathtaking panoramic views which you should miss during a Tibet tour. After a long-awaited closure, this iconic site finally reopens to travelers in 2025.

Shaped like a natural stone arch that resembles an elephant’s head and trunk, the formation rises dramatically against the sky - like a gateway to heaven - framing the turquoise waters of Namtso and the snow-capped peaks of the Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains beyond.

From this vantage point, you can gaze out over the vast, mirror-like surface of the lake as it reflects the ever-changing sky. With clouds drifting above and prayer flags fluttering in the breeze, almost otherworldly beauty - making it a perfect stop for Tibet photography tour.

Nearby, you'll also find another unique attraction: the Sansheng Stones, also means “Stones of Three Lives” in Chinese. Three towering rocks stand side by side at the lake’s edge, symbolizing one’s past, present, and future lives.

According to local legend, couples who walk hand in hand around these stones three times will be blessed with eternal love. Each summer, young lovers visit the site with khata scarves and barley wine, making heartfelt vows beneath a sky filled with fluttering prayer flags.

Stunning view of Namtso with Holy Elephant Gate.

Group photo with the Holy Elephant Gate as the backdrop.

Tibet Family Trip to Lake Namtso with a Tour of the Holy Elephant Gate.

A beautifully adorned yak standing along the tranquil shores of Namtso Lake.

Sacred Sites of Namtso Lake on the Tashi Peninsula Offer a Great Way to Dive into Tibetan Buddhism

Tashi Peninsula, also known as the Island of Auspicious Love, lies at the southeastern tip of Namtso Lake. As the largest peninsula on the lake, it is the spiritual heart of Namtso, where many sacred sites are concentrated and steeped in Tibetan Buddhist tradition.

One of the most prominent landmarks is the ancient Tashi Dor Monastery, founded in 1337 AD. Affiliated with the Nyingma Sect of Tibetan Buddhism, the monastery remains active to this day, with incense curling through the air and the sound of morning bells and evening drums.

Following the kora path that winds around the peninsula, you'll come across the revered Padmasambhava Cave, believed to house a naturally formed stupa of Guru Padmasambhava deep within its stone walls - a sacred site for Tibetan Buddhism.

As the path winds down toward the lakeshore, you’ll come across the “Welcoming Stone.” Long strands of colorful prayer flags cascade from above, draping the two weathered rocks - known as the Husband and Wife Stones - which are revered as the guardian spirits of Namtso.

Our guests with adorable yaks by the peaceful shores of Namtso Lake.

Explore Namtso Lake in the beauty of summer.

The Welcoming Stone on Tashi Peninsula, located on the southern shore of Lake Namtso.

Perfect Weather in Spring, Summer, and Autumn Creates the Best Time to Explore Namtso

Namtso Lake is one of the highest-altitude lakes in the world. Its elevation and unique terrain create distinctive weather patterns rarely found elsewhere in Tibet. Temperatures can fluctuate within a single day, ranging from well below freezing to as warm as 10 - 20°C.

Spring arrives late at Namtso, typically in April and May. By late April, the ice begins to melt, revealing breathtaking views of the white lake. Daytime temperatures can reach around 10°C, but nighttime lows often remain below freezing. Afternoon winds are also common during this time.

From June to September, Namtso enters its peak travel season - summer. The weather becomes milder, and the roads are fully accessible. Nighttime temperatures usually stay above 0°C, while daytime highs range from 12 - 15°C, occasionally rising above 20°C.

Autumn, from October to November, is considered the second best season to visit Namtso lake. The season offers clear skies, excellent visibility, and minimal rainfall. During this period, temperatures begin to fall, with average lows around -13°C and highs near 6°C.

Although Namtso’s winter scenery is stunning, few travelers venture there at this time. Snow and icy roads often make the lake inaccessible, posing risks and travel difficulties. For a safe and unforgettable experience, it’s best to visit Namtso between late spring and autumn.

Namtso Weather in Different Seasons

Namtso lake in Summer.

Namtso lake in Autumn.

Namtso lake in late October.

Namtso lake in early Spring.

Festival Celebrations at Namtso and the Namtso Kora Offer a Wonderful Chance to Experience Tibetan Culture

Cultural depth is another reason to visit Namtso. During the Saga Dawa Festival, held in the fourth month of the Tibetan calendar (June 11, 2025), pilgrims gather to honor the birth, enlightenment, and passing of the Buddha.

This sacred month draws devout Tibetans to walk the Namtso Kora. It is believed that in the Year of the Sheep, completing the full kora brings immense merit and blessings.

Another seasonal highlight is the “Lake Opening Ceremony”, held each May, when Tibetans come together to celebrate the complete melting of Namtso’s icy surface. The ceremony features prayer rituals, traditional music, marking the lake’s spiritual awakening for the new travel season.

In late July or early August, the classic route to Namtso via Damxung takes you across the Changtang Grasslands, where you can witness the Nagqu Horse Racing Festival. This time-honored event showcases expert horsemanship, along with cultural performances and rituals that have been preserved for generations.

Visiting Namtso during the Saga Dawa festival.

Nagchu horse racing festival.

Lake Opening Ceremony of Namtso lake in May 2025.

More Photos of Our Beloved Guests Enjoying the 2025 Namtso Tour with the Holy Elephant Gate

Here are more incredible pictures of our guests enjoying their Namtso Lake tour with us. Some started with the classic Lhasa tour, while others embarked on an unforgettable 10-day Namtso with the awe-inspiring Mt. Everest to capture the very essence of Tibet.

At Tibet Vista, we specialize in creating seamless travel experiences across the plateau. As Tibet’s leading inbound tour expert, we take care of every detail - from arranging Tibet Travel Permit to booking Tibet train tickets - so you can fully immerse yourself across the Roof of the World.

A picture with a beautifully adorned yak is a must-do moment on any Namtso Lake tour.

A stunning view of Namtso Lake’s icy surface.

The blue waters of Namtso shimmering under the clear blue sky.

A breathtaking view of Namtso Lake as seen from the Tashi Peninsula.

Conclusion

With its dramatic natural beauty, deep spiritual significance, and vibrant local culture, Namtso Lake offers one of the most enriching travel experiences in Tibet.

Whether you're drawn by the seasonal festivals, the crystal-clear skies of summer and autumn, or the powerful legends that shape this land, a journey to Namtso is truly unforgettable.

As the region reopens in 2025, now is the perfect time to plan your visit - and let Tibet Vista guide you to the heart of one of Tibet’s most beloved destinations. Contact us to plant your Tibet trip now.