Lake Dangra Yumtso

Dangra Yumtso: The Sacred Bön Lake Closest to the Stars
Tengri Yumco is the largest sacred lake revered by followers of the ancient Bon religion and the fourth-largest lake in Tibet. With a depth exceeding 210 meters, it is currently the deepest known lake on the Tibetan Plateau. When sunlight breaks through the clouds and shines on the lake’s surface, it creates brilliant, shifting colors depending on the angle. Due to its extremely high altitude and near-zero light pollution, Tengri Yumco is one of the premier stargazing sites on Earth’s “Third Pole,” often called “the place closest to the stars.” The best time for stargazing is from September to October. As the area has strong UV radiation and high elevation, visitors should prepare altitude sickness medication, oxygen tanks, and sun protection. Ideal stargazing conditions require clear skies and nights without a bright moon.

Tengri Yumco is the fourth-largest lake in Tibet and the second-deepest lake in China. It is also the most revered sacred lake among the ancient followers of the Bon religion in Tibet. The lake stretches from north to south and is shaped like a shoe sole, surrounded by mountains on three sides, with only one opening to the southeast near Mount Darguo. Mount Darguo consists of seven dark, snow-capped peaks arranged in a formation that closely resembles seven aligned pyramids. Together with Tengri Yumco, the mountain is considered a sacred site by Bon practitioners. On the lakeshore stands Yumbön Monastery, built within a cliffside cave and regarded as one of the oldest Bon monasteries in the ancient kingdom of Zhangzhung.

Tengri Yumco stretches from north to south and is shaped like a giant shoe sole, surrounded by mountains on three sides. The only opening lies on the eastern side of Mount Darguo, along the lake’s southern shore. Mount Darguo features seven dark peaks topped with snow, perfectly aligned and resembling seven pyramids. Together with Tengri Yumco, the mountain is revered as a sacred site by Bon practitioners.

On the shores of Lake Tengri Yumco lies a small village called Wenbu Township, home to over a hundred households. Most residents live a semi-nomadic lifestyle, combining farming and herding. Along the lakeside, they cultivate plots of land with crops such as highland barley, potatoes, rapeseed, and bok choy.