High & Holy

Some of the highest holy lakes in Asia

Tibet Lake Manasarovar

Both Buddhists and Hindus believe that bathing in or drinking from the lake — also called Jewel of Tibet because of its sapphire waters — cleanses one of sins and brings good fortune. Some pilgrims circumambulate the equally revered Mount Kailash that flanks the lake for similar reasons.

Tibet Lake Namtso

Pilgrims walk around the lake, which is significant in Bon and Tibetan Buddhism, to cleanse themselves of sins and accrue blessings. It is believed that the year of the goat is the best time to do this. In Tibetan, Lake Namtso means ‘heaven lake’. One of the three holiest lakes in Tibet, it is also the highest saltwater lake in the world.

Kyrgyzstan Lake Issyk-Kul

Archaeologists discovered the remains of a 14thcentury Christian monastery on its northern bank. Historical cartographic records suggest that this could be the burial site of Apostle Matthew, one of the 12 well-known disciples of Jesus Christ.

China Qinghai Lake

Besides being the largest lake in China, it is also situated in one of the most important pilgrimage sites of Tibetan Buddhism. Devotees believe that they can be cleared of their sins by circumambulating it seven times.