Situated 100 kilometers southwest of Lhasa at an elevation of 4,441 meters, Yamdrok Tso (Yamdrok Lake) is one of the three most sacred lakes in Tibet.

Legend has it that if the lake ever disappears, it will mark the end of Tibet. According to legend, the lake formed when a fairy descended to Earth. Her husband followed suit and transformed into Mt Kampala. Befitting its mythical feminine origins, the turquoise-blue lake has a breathtaking scenic beauty, prompting the Tibetans to compare it to the fairyland in heaven. The lake is also called Coral Lake of the Highlands.

A view of Yamdrok Tso, Aug 24, 2011. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]