Tibet Love Heart Lake Guide
Location: Qiaza Village, Naxi Township, Cuomei County, Shannan City, backed by Qialatuogang Snow Mountain, naturally shaped like a heart when viewed from above, also known as Love Heart Lake or Past and Present Life Lake Trip.com
🏔Altitude: Parking lot 4400m, lakeside 4880m, highest point nearly 4900m
🎫Fee: No entrance fee, only 15 RMB per vehicle sanitation fee (paid uniformly by drivers, tourists do not pay separately)
📶Signal: No mobile signal throughout after entering the mountain, recommended to travel in groups and bring power banks
Best Travel Time
Peak season recommended (April–October)
June–August optimal: lake water clear with gradient blue, rhododendrons bloom on the mountains in June, wildflowers bloom on the grasslands in July–August, high chance of sunny days Trip.com
April–May: lake just thawed, fewer people and quiet, heavy snow on the mountains
Not recommended
November–March next year: heavy snow blocks dirt roads, lake surface frozen pure white, mountain roads icy and slippery, very easy to get stuck, not recommended to visit
Transportation (no public buses, only self-driving / charter / small groups)
1. Self-driving (most freedom)
Total about 290–320km, one-way 6–7 hours from Lhasa
Route: Lhasa → Laze Expressway → Zedang (Shannan) → Cuomei County Town → Qiaza Village Parking Lot
Road conditions by section:
Lhasa to Cuomei: fully paved asphalt road, sedans can drive normally
Cuomei County Town to parking lot: last 30km gravel and pothole mountain road, many U-turns, narrow cliffside roads, priority for SUVs / 4WD off-road vehicles, low-clearance sedans proceed with caution, easy to scrape or bottom out Douyin
Pre-departure check: spare tire, jack, tow rope, anti-slip chains, full tank, no gas stations along the way
2. Charter / Carpool (for convenience)
Small group day tour carpool: 320–400 RMB per person, depart Lhasa at 5–6 AM, driver familiar with road and hiking routes
Charter: 500–800 RMB/day, can add Yang Lake, Zhegu Grassland, Samye Monastery along the way
Advantages: no need to drive rough roads yourself, familiar with hiking start points and photo spots
Two itinerary options
Option 1: One-day tour (tight schedule, suitable for short-term visitors)
05:30 Depart Lhasa
11. 30 Arrive at Qiaza Village parking lot, simple roadside meal
12. 00 Hike up the mountain (1.5–2 hours one way)
14:00 Arrive at the lake for photos, circle the lake for blessings, stay 2–3 hours
16:30 Descend and return
23:00 Return to Lhasa
Disadvantages: long drive, early start, busy all day, easy to get tired with altitude sickness
Option 2: Two-day tour (relaxed, recommended, suitable for altitude sickness)
Day 1 Lhasa → Samye Monastery → Yumbu Lakhang → Zhegu Grassland → Cuomei County Town accommodation (altitude 4100m, acclimate to altitude)
Day 2 Cuomei County Town → Gulu La Cuo hiking → return to Lhasa / Zedang
Advantages: no early morning rush, rest one night in town, greatly reduces altitude sickness risk
Hiking route (core focus)
Parking lot altitude 4400m → gentle slope gravel mountain road → cross 4900m ridge → arrive at Love Heart Lake
One-way hike: 1.5–2 hours, round trip 3–4 hours
Road conditions: gravel, small steep slopes, some thorns, no steps, all dirt road
Difficulty: moderately high, altitude gain nearly 500m, no running or jumping, walk slowly
Energy-saving gear: two trekking poles (protect knees, very useful downhill), high-top anti-slip hiking shoes
Lakeside activities
Aerial photography: best view of heart shape outline, very windy by the lake, stabilize your drone
Circle the lake: simple path around the lake, respect local blessing customs
Photo spots: panoramic shots of Love Heart Lake from ridge high points; snow mountain reflections at prayer flag spots by the lake
Clothing & essentials (bring warm clothes even in July summer)
Clothing (layered)
Base layer: quick-dry long sleeves
Mid layer: down vest / light down jacket
Outer layer: windproof waterproof shell jacket
Bottoms: fleece-lined outdoor pants, no jeans
Accessories: fleece hat, thick scarf, windproof gloves (top of mountain very windy, feels below zero)
Must-bring items
Altitude sickness supplies: oxygen bottle, glucose oral liquid, chocolate, beef jerky, thermos with hot water
Sun protection: SPF50+ sunscreen, sunglasses, face mask (strong UV on plateau)
Hiking: trekking poles, knee pads, anti-slip shoes
Supplies: bread, snacks (no shops or restaurants on route, bring all food and water)
Others: trash bags (leave no trace), some cash, power bank
Photo tips
Best light: 9–11 AM, soft light, clear lake reflections
Clothing colors: red, orange, ginger yellow long skirts / jackets, strong contrast with blue lake and snow mountains
Must shoot aerial: only from high altitude can you capture the full heart shape, ground level view does not show heart shape
Avoid pitfalls: lake water looks gray on cloudy days, try to travel on sunny days
Plateau safety & local customs
Altitude sickness red line: if severe headache, vomiting, chest tightness occur, rest immediately and use oxygen, if serious descend immediately, do not tough it out
Weather: mountain weather changes rapidly, sudden strong winds or hail, quickly leave ridge if you see dark clouds
Customs rules
Do not step on or move mani stones, do not pull prayer flags
Do not throw trash or stones into the lake, do not step on blessing offerings by the lake
Slow down and avoid herders and livestock, do not chase wild animals
Environment: carry out all trash, no trash bins
Additional tips
Cuomei County Town supplies: Tibetan noodles, butter tea, oxygen, snacks, fill up gas before entering mountain
Not recommended to hike alone, no signal means no help in emergencies, at least two people together
Rainy season (July–August) dirt roads muddy and slippery, slow down and proceed carefully
Legend: similar to Lamula Cuo, devout lake viewing can see past and present lives, a little-known sacred lake in Tibet