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| Basum Lake (or Basum Co Lake) |
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The lake, named Basum-Tso in Tibetan, is a highland lake lying 90
kilometers (56 miles) west of Kongpo Gymdo county. Basum has another
Tibetan name, Tsokou, which means green water in Tibetan. Many glaciers
on the upper reaches of the lake provide it with sufficient water
supply. Covering 26 square kilometers (10 square miles), the clean
green lake, reflecting snow capped peaks in the water, has so beautiful
scenery that it makes one feels in Swiss. Fish are shoaling in the
water; birds are circling in the air; beasts are roaming in the woods.
Animals are living a comfortable and easy life in Basum. In 1997,
the lake was listed by World Tourism Organization as a world tourist
site.
Basum is a notable holy lake of Nyingmapa order of Tibetan Buddhism.
On the northwest bank of the lake, there is a gigantic stone, which
has a hole allowing one person to pass. Passing through the hole
is said capable of relieve diseases and misfortunes. As a result
every year many people come to visit the lake. At the center of
the lake, on an islet there is a monastery, which was founded in
the 17th century. The monastery mainly houses Maitreya and Chenrezi.
Monks of the monastery bothered to carve all the reefs on the islets
into Buddhist figures and animals. |
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