Yongze Green View Xianghu

Nestled at the foot of Mount Sewu, at an altitude of 4,700 meters in Labup Township, Namling County, Shigatse City, Tibet, lies Yongze Luguan Lake, a sacred lake of the Bon religion, adjacent to Sewu Monastery. Located approximately 120 kilometers from Shigatse City, it rests amidst vast alpine meadows and is adjacent to babbling brooks. Together with the majestic Mount Sewu and the ancient Sewu Monastery, it forms a breathtakingly beautiful "snow mountain-sacred lake-ancient monastery" paradise, a highly revered place of prayer for Bon believers. The natural scenery of this sacred lake is a model of a high-altitude paradise. Though small, the lake is crystal clear, covering an area of ​​approximately 0.5 square kilometers. Its waters originate from glacial meltwater from Mount Sewu, are pure and clear, and have extremely high visibility. The lake's color shifts with the light and seasons, sometimes a deep, jewel-like blue, sometimes a vibrant emerald green, reflecting the drifting clouds, the mani stones on the shore, and the distant snow-capped mountains. A gentle breeze ripples the surface, creating a shimmering effect that contrasts beautifully with the surrounding lush meadows and wildflowers. In summer, the lakeshore is lush with vegetation, wildflowers like Gesang and wolfsbane bloom in profusion, and cattle and sheep graze leisurely. In winter, the lake freezes over, the ice crystal clear, merging the sacred lake with the snow-capped mountains, enhancing its pristine and solemn beauty. Occasionally, Tibetan snowcocks and blue sheep roam the mountains, adding a touch of liveliness to the tranquil lake. The legend of "seeing faces" imbues the sacred lake with a unique religious soul. In the Bon religion, Yongze Green Lake is a divine lake that "can reflect past lives, present lives, and future fortunes," hence its name "Lake of Seeing Faces." Legend has it that devout believers, after praying serenely by the lake, can gaze upon its surface and see reflections of themselves in the clear water, receiving divine guidance. This legend has made the sacred lake a central pilgrimage site for Bon followers. Every year, large numbers of devotees travel from all over to circumambulate the lake clockwise for blessings. Layers of mani stones are piled along the shore, and prayer flags flutter in the wind, weaving a colorful curtain that carries people's wishes for a better life. As an important carrier of Bon culture, Yongze Green Viewing Lake has a deep connection with the adjacent Sewu Monastery, together forming a sacred Bon site where "temple and lake are interdependent." Every year in the sixth month of the Tibetan calendar, coinciding with the Sewu Monastery's Dharma assembly, believers first worship at the sacred lake and complete the circumambulation ritual before heading to Sewu Monastery to participate in the assembly, perfectly blending image-based prayer with religious festivities. Remnants of Bon religious rituals still remain along the lakeshore. During important festivals, believers hold simple yet solemn sacrificial ceremonies here, offering hada scarves and barley wine to the sacred lake, praying for favorable weather and peace. Today, Yongze Green View Lake retains its pristine beauty, untouched by excessive commercialization, offering only natural tranquility and pure faith. Strolling along the lakeside, soft meadows lie beneath your feet, crystal-clear waters and majestic snow-capped mountains unfold before your eyes, and the gentle rustling of prayer flags fills the air. In the pure atmosphere of the plateau, one can feel the profound essence of Bon culture and experience the reverence and prayers embodied by the sacred lake. This is both a natural sanctuary and a spiritual haven, allowing every visitor to forget the hustle and bustle of the world and immerse themselves in the unique charm of this sacred land of Tsang.