Located at the head of Bachen Gully, northwest of Bayi Town in Nyingchi, Tibet, and sitting at an elevation of 4085 meters, lies Rigyim Tso, also known as the “Moraine Lake.” Formed by retreating glaciers that left behind depressions filled with water or blocked riverbeds and glacial valleys, this 3 square kilometer lake is surrounded by majestic peaks and features clear, mirror-like waters. The moraine dam, towering at about 100 meters, channels water through its left side into the crevices of vast boulders below, creating an underground stream.
A Circle of Peaks and Pristine Waters
The lake’s surroundings are a spectacle of nature’s artistry, with another ancient moraine lake situated upstream at even higher elevations. Downstream, the terrain steepens, and the area around the lake is rich in cold spruce and golden bamboo, with well-preserved primeval forests and rhododendrons underfoot.
Tips for Your Visit
- Getting There: Rigyim Tso is 18 kilometers from Bayi Town, accessible by hired car or self-driven vehicle.
- Viewpoints: A wooden railing viewing platform atop the mountain offers breathtaking views of the lake and surrounding landscapes. Nearby, a path leads uphill where a gentle muddy trail opens up to a mountain path. This path, lined with unevenly sized round boulders forming makeshift steps, allows for single-file hiking. At the trail’s end, a massive boulder stands before a dense pine and cypress forest, offering the best vantage point for viewing and photographing the lake and its shores, adorned with stone carvings.
Rigyim Tso invites visitors to step back in time and experience the tranquil beauty of a lake born from the Ice Age, nestled in the heart of Tibet’s stunning natural landscape.
